Ruby Roth- That's Why We Don't Eat Animals and Kauai Girl!

Once a Kauai farm girl and now Mom, artist, illustrator, author and activist via Los Angeles, Ruby Roth is educating our children about how their choices can make a difference for our world. Her heart is clearly evident in the human footprints and animal paw prints made together on the front and back covers of her book.



Childhood influences on Kauai Farm:
Before she was even born, her parents had a farm on beautiful Kauai. She remembers they lived there on and off throughout her childhood. “We spent nearly three years on the farm there when I was twelve, surrounded by macadamia nut trees, papayas, avocados, citrus, and lychee–the best foods ever.” It developed in her a deep respect for the land, animals, and the planet.


Living out Loud:
Ruby has been living a vegan lifestyle for 7 years now and attributes part of that to living on their farm, “eating that way subconsciously fosters a deep respect for life off the land, which I used to put two and two together later in my life when I became vegan.” Now, she is actively teaching this to our children through her book. She believes that children have a natural connection to nature and animals, “but are not presented with facts that actually allow them to live in line with those feelings.” This wonderful book does just that and does it beautifully. She is also passionate for the health of our children with childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise.


When asked how kids respond to her books’ message she shares, "Children show incredible interest and great insight...they come up with great questions and thoughts about the subject. I think kids enjoy being let in on what seemed to have been a “secret” kept from them. They feel empowered by the truth."


Gems in this book:
You’ll find truthfulness about everything from factory farmed animals to world hunger and environment. Even adults will be educated to more well-informed choices. Rather than use fictitious talking animals, facts and emotions are translated in a way our children can understand. Here are some examples:


Farm factory animals compared to free animals: 


Free animals - use instincts, fly, snuggle, celebrate with gestures and noises.


Farm factory or caged animals – are scared, sick, over-weight, separated from their families, flocks, or packs, unable to thrive, and be healthy.


World Hunger:
The food and water saved by growing organic veggies could feed the hungry people all over the world.


Environment:
How cattle farms waste water and pollute the ocean and sky.


The book closes empowering us with two things: 1) To know that our freedom to choose natural foods changes our lives and our planet. 2) A call to action list of resources in “What Else Can We Do” on the last page and at her website.


Check out more on That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals:
Official Website (has great page on animals and you can also sign up for email udpates)
Facebook Page (updates as well along with animal issues, and more)
Amazon Page (Media reviews, book info, order info)


Even more to check out:
No Kill Network
Animal Shelter.Org
Article on Hawaii joining with www.farmsanctuary.org




This post is adapted from my column in the examiner.
Pictures used by permission.