For some, the awakening to animal suffering at the hands of human indifference happens in an instant. For others, it is a process. But whenever and however that understanding surfaces, a continuing deep pain and sadness for animals is inescapable. Trying to put those feelings into words can feel like communicating from a place outside the five senses, from a kind …
If you love cats as much as we love cats (and something tells us that you do), then you’ll want to hear all about Katrina Donovan Fleming’s take on the book The Cats on My Block by Valerie Sicignano, illustrated by Jane Sayre Denny. Long live the cat lady! *** Book Review: The Cats on My Block by Valerie Sicignano, Illustrated by …
If I had read this book as a kid, I’m certain I would have begged my parents for a dog — preferably one with three legs. My wish might not have been granted, but I still would have made two new friends in Iris Moody, a sixteen-year-old girl, and Roman, the abused pit bull she helps to rehabilitate. The new young …
Sadly, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) and other forms of governmental targeting of animal rights and environmental activists still provide significant barriers to our movements, but today there’s more activism than ever aimed at stopping them! Get an important overview of such activism today on #ThrowbackThursday. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on December 3, 2012. If you’d like …
Today we’re excited to welcome back reviewer extraordinaire Katrina Donovan Fleming to get her take on a poignant picture book by Alan Rabinowitz, all about finding one’s own voice and amplifying the voices of those around you who have less power to do so. *** Book Review: A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, Illustrated by Catia Chien Review by …
If you were awestruck at the visionary work of Zoe Weil while watching Episode 30 of the Our Hen House TV show back in March, then you’ll want to be sure to check out Lisa Rimmert’s review of her book Most Good, Least Harm — brought to you once again for #ThrowbackThursday! This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on October 4, …
“I was falling down a rabbit hole, and it seemed the rabbits were being harmed.” The Dogs Were Rescued (and So Was I) (Sourcebooks, 2014). Teresa Rhyne shares how personal heartbreak led her to animal rights activism. Kevin Schneider reviews. *** The Dogs Were Rescued (and So Was I) is a brutally honest story of one woman’s personal loss, her struggle …
“While the relationship between trainer and whale can be beautiful, the overall situation—that of captivity—makes the orcas dysfunctional and dangerous.” Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015). Former SeaWorld trainer John Hargrove gives a firsthand glimpse behind the curtain at SeaWorld. Kevin Schneider reviews. *** John Hargrove is unique. A former SeaWorld trainer turned …
Today, we are delighted to welcome writer, do-gooder, and animal advocate Paula Burke to Our Hen House to give us her take on the new novel, Bones & All, by Camille DeAngelis. *** Book Review: Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis by Paula Burke What is a novel for? Do we read to be entertained or to learn? Do we want …
Vegan athlete Kat Healy is running The Last Mile (Ashland Creek Press, 2014) in this final volume of Blair Richmond’s “The Lithia Trilogy.” Healy still has two men vying for her affections. Yes, both are vampires – but at least they are vegan vampires (they drink tree sap instead of blood). They “subsist on a plant-based diet, just like I do,” …
Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand. ― W.B. Yeats, The Stolen Child In The Emotional Lives of Animals and Children (Turning Stone Press, 2014), William Crain explores our society’s need to keep children from seeing the widespread industrialized cruelty to animals …
Books and movies about dogs are very popular these days, but they have a long history. Virginia Woolf’s Flush, the biography of a cocker spaniel, dates back to 1933 and is a must-read for fans of both the canine and modernist genres. In this essay, Barbara K. Seeber reflects on why she loves Woolf’s book and why it is relevant to the animal …
The incredible Kevin Schneider joins us once again, this time to offer his analysis of scientist David Grimm’s new book “Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs” from an animal rights perspective. As Kevin notes, with laudable campaigns working to achieve the status of legal personhood for non-human animals, the issues discussed in this book prove particularly relevant. Take it away, Kevin! …
I’ve written before — both here on Our Hen House and on my own blog, Farmers Market Vegan — about the importance of intersectional activism: social advocacy informed by an understanding that various aspects of identity, and the ways beings are treated by the world because of such aspects, intersect in complex ways. For me, an important part of intersectional activism involves appreciating …
If I’m reincarnated as a squirrel or a spider – perhaps even a mole – I’m hoping that I’m reborn at Tai Moses’ house. In her book Zooburbia: Meditations on the Wild Animals Among Us (Parallax Press, 2014), Moses takes us on a journey through “the extraordinary, unruly, half-wild realm where human and animal lives overlap.” She writes of the animals we …
#ThrowbackThursdays returns, and this time we’re re-introducing you to a fantastically important book – Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs to Know – with a review by Nick Lacetti. For those of us who think about animal rights on a daily…hourly…minutely…basis, it’s a good idea to return to the basics every once in a while, which is exactly what we’re hoping to do with …
Can one have a crush on a children’s picture book? That seems to be the only explanation for my slightly obsessive desire to buy Here Comes the Easter Cat (Dial, 2014) for everyone I know. Each year, I get scores of books to fill my classroom library, but stories like this one stand out like gold stars. Author Deborah Underwood has …
Today we welcome writer Emma Silvethorn to Our Hen House, to share her insights on the new book, Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat. *** My Thoughts On Farmageddon by Emma Silverthorn I have to offer a few caveats at the start of this discussion of the recently released book, Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat (Bloomsbury, April 1, 2014). …
We are delighted that Ken Swensen is joining us today to give us his take on the book Captain Paul Watson: Interview with a Pirate by Lamya Essemlali. *** Book Review: Captain Paul Watson: Interview with a Pirate Review by Ken Swensen “The situation is easy enough to understand. If the oceans die, we will die.” -Paul Watson, Founder of The Sea …
Today, London-based writer Emma Silverthorn is joining us to give us her take on photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur’s new book of photos, We Animals. Jo-Anne – who is, of course, the subject of the new documentary, The Ghosts In Our Machine – recently joined us on the Our Hen House podcast (Episode 209) to discuss the project. If you haven’t yet heard …
When one goes vegan, especially when it’s for the animals, the disparity of our treatment of various non-human animals becomes increasingly apparent. Why do some animals get toys and special beds while others are abused and killed under the industry’s label of “standard practice”? Some animals are beloved family members and some – who are just as capable of the sweet …
Looking for some hope? Look no further. All you need to do is get to know Alessandra Seiter, a college student who gives me hope for the next generation. Alessandra last joined us at Our Hen House when she reviewed Trash Animals. You may also remember her moving OHH essay, “From My Eating Disorder to My Life’s Purpose: How Veganism Changed …
Today, we welcome Robin Lamont back to Our Hen House. She is reviewing Among Animals, the latest from Ashland Creek Press. Robin, who is the author of the animal rights-themed novel, The Chain (which we reviewed on Episode 205 of our podcast), last joined us when she gave us her take on the novel, Dog Boy. Today, Robin — who just …
Today, we bring you an excerpt from The Ultimate Betrayal: Is There Happy Meat? by Hope Bohanec (with Cogen Bohanec). To enter to a win a copy, please see the instructions beneath the excerpt. *** EXCERPT FROM: The Ultimate Betrayal: Is There Happy Meat? by Hope Bohanec with Cogen Bohanec It is curious that people will show great concern for how farmed …
You first heard from Daniel Redwood on OHH when he reviewed Norm Phelps’ e-book, Changing the Game: Why the Battle for Animal Liberation Is So Hard and How We Can Win It, and then after that when he gave us his take on The Polar Bear in the Zoo: A Speculation by Martin Rowe. When he isn’t reviewing books, Daniel is …
Ken Swensen last joined us at Our Hen House when he reviewed Dave Simon’s Meatonomics: The Bizarre Economics of Meat and Dairy. Not sure about you, but we at OHH fell in love with Ken’s brain, and are delighted to welcome him back today to review a different – yet equally important – book, Full Planet, Empty Plates: The New Geopolitics …
We reviewed Robin Lamont’s new novel, The Chain, on Episode 205 of our podcast. Here’s the short version: We loved it! How refreshing is it to read a really good book that we animal rights activists can relate to? It’s icing on that vegan cake when the book is a real page-turner, something you find yourself thinking about all day. The …
We are delighted to have the opportunity to feature more and more excerpts from important books recently published (as well as some oldies) from the world of animal rights. Today’s excerpt is from Meatonomics: The Bizarre Economics of Meat and Dairy, by David Robinson Simon — who was recently featured on the Our Hen House podcast (Episode #203). In addition to …
A few weeks ago, we had the incredible David Robinson Simon on our podcast discussing his new book, Meatonomics: The Bizarre Economics of Meat and Dairy. This book is bound to be a game-changer. It’s completely fascinating, and will make you think of meat in a whole new light. But don’t take my word for it. Take Ken Swensen’s! Ken – an …
Today, we are thrilled to welcome Robin Lamont to Our Hen House. Robin, an accomplished writer and the author of our newest favorite novel (which we reviewed on the most recent Our Hen House podcast episode), The Chain (and yep, it is indeed an animal rights related story – and nope, you won’t be able to put it down), is turning the …
Today we bring you Katrina Donovan Fleming, who – we’re excited to announce – is officially joining “the coop” here at Our Hen House, where she will specialize in reviewing children’s books and media, from a vegan and animal rights bent. Today, Katrina is talking about Jasper’s Story: Saving Moon Bears, by Jill Robinson (who was just with us on Episode …
We are elated to welcome back to OHH one of our fresh, new writers – Alessandra Seiter. Today, Alessandra, an absolutely brilliant sophomore at Vassar College, is reviewing Trash Animals: How We Live with Nature’s Filthy, Feral, Invasive, and Unwanted Species, which is edited by Kelsi Nagy and Phillip David Johnson II. *** Book Review: “Trash Animals: How We Live with …
We are delighted to welcome Stephen Lukas back to Our Hen House today to review Survival Skills: Stories (Ashland Creek Press, 2013) by Jean Ryan. *** Book Review: Survival Skills: Stories by Jean Ryan Review by Stephen Lukas Short stories are hotbeds of frugality: extraneous words are afforded no safe hiding place. The writer exercises precision and economy, plying a metaphorical …
Starting with her title, Mind If I Order the Cheeseburger? And Other Questions People Ask Vegans (Lantern Books, 2013), author Sherry F. Colb touches a nerve. I hate when people ask if it’s okay for them to eat meat in front of me. Though meant to be polite, the question forces me to choose between two bad options: objecting to the …
We are delighted to welcome back to Our Hen House writer and vegan fashionista Ashlee Piper, who is giving us her take on a book that I suspect you’ll want on your nightstand very soon. It’s called How Animals Grieve, by Barbara J. King, and it might just change your life. *** Book Review: How Animals Grieve by Barbara J. King …
When more than one person emails you and tells you have to read a particular book, your ears perk up. When a whole flock of people go out of their way to tell you that this book will change your life, you sit down and read it. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is one of those books, and I’m thrilled that writer …
I have a thing for social workers. Perhaps I’m generalizing, but I have found that the ones I have known have been truly compassionate, generous, insightful, and affable people. Rachel Duvall is no exception. In addition to being a social worker and a Nia instructor, she is also a vegan and an animal advocate (not mention to an OHH flock member). Today, …
In his book, Every Twelve Seconds: Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight, Timothy Pachirat describes the ways in which different patterns of seeing are intimately linked with the treatment of animals. What is seen and who is permitted to see what –what Pachirat refers to as the “politics of sight” – have always been at the core of animal advocacy. …
Last week on our podcast, we were delighted to be joined by children’s book author and illustrator, Ruby Roth, who told us all about her new book, V is for Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind. Today, we welcome back to Our Hen House Katrina Donovan Fleming, who is giving us a candid review of this incredible new book. *** Book …
A few months ago I was introduced to Kentucky-based artist L.A. Watson’s video piece, What Makes For a Grievable Life? (2009). In this piece, the frozen, decapitated, and plucked body of a chicken, the kind found in any grocery store, is unwrapped and tenderly placed in a shallow, hand-dug grave. Yellow flowers are placed on the grave, a gesture which, when …
We’re excited to bring back to Our Hen House Daniel Redwood, who is giving us his thoughts on The Polar Bear in the Zoo: A Speculation by Martin Rowe. *** Book Review: The Polar Bear in the Zoo: A Speculation by Martin Rowe Review by Daniel Redwood Martin Rowe’s The Polar Bear in the Zoo: A Speculation (Lantern, 2013) – currently …
We’ve known about Daniel Redwood for a while now, as he is an accomplished musician, and the force behind the new CD, Songs for Animals, People and the Earth. Well, Daniel wears many hats, and writing is one of them. He’s also a very thoughtful activist, and we are delighted to welcome him to Our Hen House today to shed light …
When Katrina Donovan Fleming recently joined us on our podcast to review the film Powder, from a unique animal rights perspective, I was instantly smitten with her keen ability to look at things with a discerning, yet non-judgmental eye. But clearly she’s had practice ruminating on animal issues: Katrina is the voice behind Suburban Snow White, which provides “musings” from a …
We are thrilled to welcome Ashlee Piper to Our Hen House today! Ashlee is reviewing the new poetry book that will rock your world — Kind, by Gretchen Primack. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a “poetry fan,” you will be deeply touched by this book. But don’t take my word for it. Ashlee’s review includes samples of Gretchen’s beautiful poetry, …
Welcome to a week of guest-written features here on Our Hen House! To start us off, we are joined by the talented Sayward Rebhal, who is giving us a very special inside glimpse into Victoria Moran‘s much buzzed about program, Main Street Vegan Academy. *** Main Street Vegan Academy Will Change Your Life by Sayward Rebhal I didn’t quite know what …
Today, scholar and activist Anat Pick is sharing her unique take on the short, interactive media experience, Bear 71. *** Review: Wild and Wired: A Review of Bear 71 By Anat Pick “Sometimes it’s hard to say where the wired world ends and the wild one begins.” I’m a skeptic when it comes to interactive media. “Interactivity” has always struck me …
We are big fans of writer/law student Kevin Schneider’s brain, and were thrilled that he agreed to do a review of an extremely important nonfiction book, Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity, by David Kirby. *** Book Review: Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity by David Kirby …
I already knew that musk was derived from animals — secreted by pressing the glands of male musk deer — and so I stopped using it as a perfume long, long ago. Not surprisingly, in the process of creating this cruel product, the animals are killed (musk deer are now, not surprisingly, considered endangered — way to go, humans). Their entire …
We’re delighted to welcome back to Our Hen House Jennifer Molidor, Ph.D., who offers her take on Explorer Series: SHARKS, by Jeff Corwin. *** Book Review: Jeff Corwin’s Explorer Series: Sharks Review by Jennifer Molidor, Ph.D. Jeff Corwin’s multi-sensory book, Explorer Series: SHARKS, is the first in an exciting set of e-books that radicalizes popular animal studies for young people. Future …
Today we welcome back the brilliant Katie Gillespie, who is sharing her thoughts about the book Zooland: The Institution of Captivity (Stanford Law Books, 2012), by Irus Braverman. *** Book Review: Zooland: The Institution of Captivity by Irus Braverman Review by Katie Gillespie In the animal rights community, zoos tend to be seen as spaces of exploitation, commodification, and animal oppression …
We’re delighted to welcome back to Our Hen House Angela G. Colantonio, who is giving us a unique and important look into The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg. *** Book Review: The Power of Habit – From an Animal Advocate’s Perspective Review by Angela G. Colantonio Do you ever find …
When Sangu Iyer, one of our favorite writers and humans, told us she’d like to review a book about pit bulls for Our Hen House, we were thrilled. Not only are Sangu’s insights and a talent of great value (her OHH review of Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India is one of our favorites to date), but the …
Last year, we were lucky enough to have the brilliant Will Potter on our podcast. Will is the author of the book Green Is the New Red: An Insider’s Account of a Social Movement Under Siege, and the force behind the prolific blog of the same name. This book is on our shortlist of the most important pieces of non-fiction you …
Review by Piper Hoffman Kat Healy is back in The Ghost Runner (Ashland Creek Press, 2012), the second installment of Blair Richmond’s young adult trilogy about vampires, vegans, and saving the environment. Poor Kat’s life is still one of drama, mystery, and near-death encounters, but she makes the best of it and sticks to her principles, while the reader tags along …
We are thrilled to welcome Karen S. Emmerman, PhD. to Our Hen House to tell us all about What the Animals Taught Me: Stories of Love and Healing from a Farm Animal Sanctuary by Stephanie Marohn. *** Book Review: What the Animals Taught Me: Stories of Love and Healing from a Farm Animal Sanctuary by Stephanie Marohn Review by Karen S. Emmerman I …
Book Review: The Dragon Keeper by Mindy Mejia Review by Piper Hoffman I don’t like zoos. On the rare occasions that I have visited them, I have seen only animals imprisoned against their will, sometimes bored and frustrated to the point of madness. Zoos tend to provide less space, stimulation, and company than the animals would have in the wild. Some …
You might recall that last year we produced a video for our Art of the Animal series highlighting the breathtaking work of world-renowned artist, Sue Coe. Sue is one of our heroes, and the work she produces is unique in that it uses heart-stirring — even life-changing — art to educate and enlighten people to animal rights issues, and move them …
Review by Piper Hoffman Do you believe you can communicate with a tree, or “hear a voice from nature”? Dr. Esmeralda Green, the narrator and protagonist of Cher Fischer’s new novel Falling Into Green (Ashland Creek Press, 2012), not only believes it, she makes a career out of it. Green is an ecopsychologist who incorporates nature and animals into her treatment …
In an unusual and refreshing book review, activist (and introvert) Angela G. Colantonio gives us the skinny on Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, from the vantage point of effectively using introversion for the greater good. *** Book Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – Through the Lens …
I want to hug this book. I don’t usually have mushy feelings towards tomes on political theory, but Zoopolis: A Political Theory on Animal Rights (Oxford University Press, 2011) undertakes a project dear to my heart, one that could have important repercussions in the animal advocacy movement: to “develop a new moral framework, one that connects the treatment of animals more …