Celebrating Animal Crackers

Animal crackers in my soup

Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

Gosh oh gee but I have fun

Swallowing animals one by one

In every bowl of soup I see

Lions and Tigers watching me

I make 'em jump right through a hoop

Those animal crackers in my soup

When I get hold of the big bad wolf

I just push him under to drown

Then I bite him in a million bits

And I gobble him right down

When their inside me where it's dark

I walk around like Noahs Arc

I stuff my tummy like a goop

With animal crackers in my soup

Animal crackers in my soup

Do funny things to me

They make me think my neighborhood

Is a big menagerie

For instance there's our Janitor

His name is Mr. Klein

And when he Hollers at us kids

He reminds me of a Lion

By Diane Forrest

I love watching Shirley Temple movies, and the above is a song she sang in one of them, you can watch it by clicking here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= cntYIkuthYg

I have always loved animal crackers.  I liked having my own little box of cookies and carrying it around like a purse.  It always made me feel special.  Animal crackers first went on sale as "Barnum’s Animals" in 1902 and came in a circus train-themed box with a string, so you could hang them on the Christmas tree. They cost only 5 cents a box.  However, according to punchbowl.com, animal-shaped crackers were first brought to the United States during the late 1800’s. The demand for these treats skyrocketed so bakers began to produce them domestically.

Stauffer's Biscuit Company was the first company to produce animal crackers in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania. Other local bakeries soon came together under the National Biscuit Company, or "Nabisco Brands."  Since the start, there have been 37 different animals featured in the box at one time or another.

Today is National Animal Crackers Day, so why not grab a box at your local store to enjoy, you can gobble them up while watching Shirley Temple sing about them, or maybe you can find the movie Animal Crackers with the Marx Brothers and just laugh the day away!

(All images from Google) 

National Animal Crackers Day

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

Animal crackers in my soup

Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

Gosh oh gee but I have fun

Swallowing animals one by one

In every bowl of soup I see

Lions and Tigers watching me

I make 'em jump right through a hoop

Those animal crackers in my soup

Those words are from a song sung in the movie Curly Top by Shirley Temple.  I love the song, Love Shirley Temple and I love animal crackers!  My favorites are found in the box that looks like a circus cage as is pictured above.  I loved having my own little box with a string attached to carry it.  I would identify each animal before biting its head off.  Then there was a period in my life where I was too grown up for animal crackers.  Luckily that didn't last long.  When my son was starting to chew solid foods, I started getting him his own box of animal crackers.  He loved them as much as I did, and even now that he is "too grown up” I will still surprise him with a box of them.

(Google Image)

Animal Crackers were imported from England in the 19th century.  They were known as bisque’s and they were cut in the shape of circus or zoo animals.  The demand for these crackers became so great that Stauffer’s Biscuit Company produced their first batch of animal crackers sometime around the start of the 20th century in York, Pennsylvania.

In 1902, animal crackers officially became known as "Barnum's Animals" and evoked the familiar circus theme of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Later in 1902, the now-familiar box was designed for the Christmas season with the innovative idea of attaching a string to hang from the Christmas tree. Up until that time, crackers were generally only sold in bulk or in large tins. These small cartons, which retailed for five cents at the time of their release, were a big hit and are still sold today.

(Google Image)

Each box contains 22 animals.  In total there have been 37 different animals featured in Barnum's Animal Crackers since 1903. The current crackers are tiger, cougar, camel, rhinoceros, kangaroo, hippopotamus, bison, lion, hyena, zebra, elephant, sheep, bear, gorilla, monkey, polar bear, seal and giraffe. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Barnum's added the koala to the menagerie in September 2002.

(Google Image)

Competitor brand Stauffer's also makes them in flavors like chocolate graham, cinnamon graham, cotton candy, and frosted varieties.   My favorite is the hyena.  I would eat one then laugh like crazy trying to be the hyena.  Today is National Animal Crackers Day.  Why not grab your own box and pick out your favorite animal?

National Animal Crackers Day

Mmmmm good!

Who doesn't love the crunch and sweetness of an animal cracker? These fun little crackers are usually in the shape circus animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and elephants.

During the late 1800's, crackers in the shape of animals were imported from England to the United States. The demand for these treats skyrocketed, so bakers began to produce them domestically. The first batch of animal crackers was produced by Stauffer's Biscuit Company in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania. Other local bakeries soon came together under the National Biscuit Company, or "Nabisco Brands." In 1902, the animal cracker's box officially became "Barnum's Animals" with the circus themed box.

Did you know that since their start in 1903, there have been 37 different animals featured in Barnum's Animal Crackers? Today more than 40 million packages of animal crackers are sold each year in 17 different countries. To celebrate National Animal Crackers Day, enjoy a box (or two) of some delicious Barnum's Animal Crackers!

Coming this week on Keeping it Simple - April 17 - 23, 2001

Here is what we are planning to post this week and like most weeks, maybe a couple bonus items.  Your comments and recommendations are always welcome.   

Wonderful Spring picture.

Which one or ones are your favorite?

Animal Cracker Day

From generation to generation, Animal Crackers have been enjoyed by all children (and adults too). They are as popular today as they were in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It’s great fun to watch a box of Animal Shapes being opened, sorted and then eaten. What animals are in the box? What to eat first? 

Touching and tender picture

Who or What Inspires You and Why?

Who inspires you? Who do you inspire? Do you ever think about that? Inspiration is not a small deal; in fact it's quite important.  Most good presenters inspire the audience. Good leaders and good teachers certainly inspire others and are also inspired by those around them.



So seldom and sadly, these get losts.



A Caregiver Shares her story

What is like providing 24/7 care to a loved one by Diane Forrest.  A series about Caregiving and the Caregiver from an amazing woman who provided 24/7 care for her husband for over ten years.  Her story is insightful, interesting and heartbreaking – we hope that you will take time to read the entire series and share your experiences with us.

Beautiful! Can you remember your's?

My First Crush

A first hand account of her first Crush, Diane tells of her first crush and asks some interesting questions. 

Perhaps some surprises! 

Who knows what may come up this week – another great email to share, story that someone would like to share or whatever might tickle my fancy. 

Here’s to wishing you a productive, enjoyable, and wonderful week ahead. For those folks around the world celebrating Holy Week – enjoy a peaceful and rewarding week.