Ida, Always

Written By Amber Carvaly

The Book

"Ida Always" is a children's picture book written by Caron Levis and illustrated by Charles Santoso. It tells the heartwarming story of two polar bears named Ida and Gus who live in the Central Park Zoo in New York City. When Ida becomes sick and passes away, Gus learns to cope with his loss with the help of his zookeeper friends.

The book is based on the true story of a pair of polar bears who lived in the Central Park Zoo, and it has received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of grief and its beautiful illustrations.

 

The Questions

  1. How did Gus feel when Ida became sick? How did he cope with his grief after Ida passed away?

  2. What did the zookeepers do to help Gus cope with his loss? Why was it important for him to have support during this difficult time?

  3. Have you ever experienced a loss or felt sad about something? How did you cope with those feelings?

  4. Why is it important to talk to someone or seek help when you're feeling sad or grieving?

  5. What are some ways you can remember and honor someone who has passed away? How can we keep their memory alive?

 

The Recipe: Polar Bear Pizza

Ingredients:

  • Pizza dough

  • Tomato sauce

  • Shredded mozzarella cheese (sub non dairy for vegan)

  • Black olives

  • Bell pepper

  • Pepperoni slices (sub vegan)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. Roll out the pizza dough and place it on a baking sheet.

  3. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough.

  4. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce.

  5. Use black olives to make the polar bear's eyes and nose.

  6. Use bell pepper to make the polar bear's ears and mouth.

  7. Use pepperoni slices to make the polar bear's fur.

  8. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

  9. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Making pizza involves several cooking elements, such as kneading the dough, spreading the sauce and cheese, and arranging the toppings. Children can also have fun being creative with the toppings to make their own unique polar bear pizza designs. Plus, making and eating pizza is always a fun activity for kids!

Amber Carvaly