Letters to
Amby
From America to Australia

"The Detour" by Connor

Dear Mr. Burfoot,
We are studying Australian animals. We have listened to stories about them, looked at pictures of Australian animals and watched a video on the animals in the Outback. We voted on our favorite Australian animal. It is the kangaroo. The kangaroo got 7 votes, the koala 6, the kookaburra 3, the echidna 2 and the platypus 2.

We know that you are at the Olympics in Australia. We were wondering if you have seen any Australian animals so far. Have you seen any Australian animals on your trip?

We know that it is very, very early in the morning now. We sometimes call it the 'middle of the night'. We hope that you are sleeping now.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Goodrow's First Grade Class

P.S. We would like to publish your reply on kidsrunning.com.


"Pals" by Matt

Dear Class,
Actually, your question is one of the most popular jokes in Australia. They joke that everyone else in the world thinks that there are kangaroos on every street in Australia just like we have cats and dogs.

The truth is, I don't think most Australians have ever seen the animals you're talking about except at the zoo. Downtown Sydney is like downtown Springfield, except bigger and with a truly gorgeous harbor.

People in Sydney talk mostly about the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. That's what they're proudest of.

No, I haven't seen any kangaroos. And I don't expect to. But it would be fun, wouldn't it?

Sincerely,
Amby Burfoot


"A Yellow Koala" by Kristin


"The Echidna" by Elizabeth


"The Kookaburra" by Dylan


Yes, it would be fun to see the animals. I spoke with my kids and together we decided that most of us still have HOPE in our HEARTS that Amby and the other folks at the Olympics will get the chance to see at least one Australian animal before they return to their homes.

We ALL thought that Mr. Burfoot should gear up and take a safari to the Outback where many of the animals live. We know that hundreds, if not thousands, of schoolchildren around the world are studying Australian animals right now because of the Olympics and we think that many of those children would feel the same.

Here's what Shelly Lemons, Arkansas, teacher of a first and second grade combination class at the West Side Christian School did this week with her class. Shelly writes:

I have something to share. It's something fun that my class did today. In our journal writing we created titles for some possible games at the Olympics in Australia. We came up with:

Kangaroo Kick Boxing
Crocodile Pie Eating
Kangaroo Jumping
Emu Riding
Dolphin Diving
Dingo Bingo (my fav)
Koala Counting
............ you get the idea

For those of you who like Shelly's ideas, please see the Sept./Oct. issue of Copycat Magazine. They have some a feature on kids' events with an animal theme.

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