Page 25 - AHATA

A14 LOCAL
Wednesday 22 January 2020

American authors of children’s book support cats & dogs foundation

Aruba to promote their
book and at the same time
support the local com-
munity. They paid a visit to
the Nine Lives Aruba Foun-
dation, a group of animal
lovers who joined forces
volunteering themselves to
help animals in their free
time. The Lipoffs wrote on
their Facebook: “Bring-
ing some kitten food and
cat and dog toys to sup-
port some of the Aruban
nonprofits helping animals,
as part of our giving back
ORANJESTAD — The Lipoffs tween a black rooster and portion from the proceeds
from Maryland are a re- a pigeon. “This is a book of the book. It is heart-
markable American family about making friendships, breaking but incredibly
that fell in love with Aruba a diversity, acceptance, ani- comforting to know that
long time ago. The Red An- mals and the habitat. All Geraldine Toro Vera Kock,
chor in San Nicolas is where with a backdrop of our be- her husband John and all
the book ‘Super Coco; “Will loved Aruba,” says Jay M. of the volunteers at Nine
You Be My Friend” was Lipoff. Lives Aruba Foundation are
born. An idea that sprouted doing everything they can
out of an encounter be- Jay and Julie are back in to help care for, protect

and find homes for cats named the rooster Coco
and dogs.” Seeing them so because he was near a
happy with their new toys vendor’s ice chest with Su-
was so rewarding, the au- per Coco written on the
thors say. “There are amaz- side of it.” The story went
ing animals, filled with love, from there and eventually
everywhere. Open up your resulted in a colorful book
heart and let them in.” with amazing illustrations
showing Aruba’s animals in
The story behind the book their natural habitat.
Jay: “I have been visiting
Aruba since 1998. It’s a The book not only has a
wonderful place, and now deeper message that is im-
with my family, we head portant to children, but it
out every couple of years.” also shows the island’s typi-
One time they were here cal flora and fauna. In a
they came across a black playful way children learn
rooster and a pigeon hang- that it is okay to have a
ing out together day after friend that looks very differ-
day near Seroe Colorado, ent from themselves.
on the way to Baby Beach.
“We chuckled and started For more information: Face-
to make up a story. We book Super Coco.q