Download or read book Pura Vida Mae! written by Buffie Biddle and published by Dog Ear Publishing. This book was released on 2015-08-07 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pura (pronounced poor-ah) Vida (pronounced veed-ah) literally translates to Pure Life. Mae (pronounced my) is Costa Rican slang for friend or pal (like our “dude”). Pura Vida Mae is the story of a serene and mellow young iguana by the name of Daniel who enjoys living his life and relaxing in the sunshine. As he goes about his day, he learns that a great many other animals in the jungle do not share his fondness for a laid-back life. Some of these animals question him, and others simply go about their business. Daniel does have some very nice friends, though, and they share his love for an uncomplicated life of peace. His friends do not all look like he does, but they do have a great deal in common. Daniel can be himself with his friends, and they love each other for that. The message of this story is to love yourself and each other for who you are. I intend for this story to teach that gentle lesson. I began to write Pura Vida Mae after my first visit to Costa Rica, where I fell in love with everything about this amazing country. This place made a huge impression on me as a nature and wildlife enthusiast and conservationist as well as an artist; the love of life in all of its forms so apparent here. “Pura Vida” is the national greeting of the Costa Rican people. It means everything from “hello” and “nice day” to “good-bye” and “safe trip."