What can we learn from watching animals play?  Dogs chase each other and wrestle. Cats pounce and bite. These animals may look like they are fighting, but if you pay close attention— as world-renowned biologist Marc Bekoff does—you can see they are playing and learning the rules of their games. In Animals at Play, Bekoff shows us how animals behave when they play, with full-color illustrations showing animals in action and having fun—from squirrels climbing up a tree to polar bears somersaulting in the snow. 

Bekoff emphasizes how animals communicate, cooperate and learn to play fair and what happens when they break the rules. He uses lively illustrations and simple explanations of what it means when a sea lion swims with kelp in its mouth or when two dogs bow to each other. Bekoff also describes what happens when animals become too aggressive and how they apologize, forgive and learn to trust one another.  This entertaining and informative book will delight every child and show readers how animals—and humans—interact when they are having fun.
 

Marc Bekoff is an ethologist and well-published author, who travels the world, speaking about animals and working with children.  He taught biology for 32 years at the University of Colorado in Boulder.  Marc co-founded Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals with Jane Goodall.  He also works closely with children as part of the Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program. Marc has won many awards for his scientific research.  The Bank One Faculty Community Service Award honored Marc for the work he has done with children, senior citizens, and prisoners. Marc has written for such magazines as Ranger Rick.  He's also appeared on Animal Planet and National Geographic Television.