A story for children about the fundamental connection between animals and people and how we can treat all of Earth's creatures with compassion and empathy.

Furry polar bears, playful sea otters, slow sloths, prickly porcupines, and slimy snakes are just a few of the many animals we share our world with. And even though we might not look the same or have the same needs as our animal neighbors, we have more in common with them than we might think. Through full-color illustrations and simple language, Our Animal Neighbors introduces children to the importance of treating all animals with the care and compassion they deserve. We all want to experience love, safety, and respect and this book is the first step to instilling those ideals at an early age. This planet is our home, and we should all be free to live a prosperous life regardless of whether we have hands, hooves, scales, or fur.

For ages 4-8.

Our Animal Neighbors: Compassion for Every Furry, Slimy, Prickly Creature on Earth, Matthieu Ricard, Jason Gruhl, Bala Kids, Hardcover, 2020, 32 Pages, $17.95

Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, author, translator, and photographer. He is the author of several books including The Monk and the Philosopher, a dialogue with his father; The Quantum and the Lotus, a dialogue with astrophysicist Trinh Xuan Thuan; Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill; and Why Meditate? His books have been translated into over twenty languages. He has lived, studied, and worked in the Himalayan region for over forty years.

Jason Gruhl is the former Executive Director and founder of The Joshua School (a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Boulder and Denver, Colorado) and a Psychotherapist. Jason holds a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology. He dedicates his life to helping others through meditation, writing, and self-discovery.