TURIN — Animal attraction has been very good to author Aline Alexander Newman.

It’s reflected in her latest book, “Animal Superstars — And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Talents” published by National Geographic Children’s Books.

She also has written more than 50 cover stories for National Geographic Kids magazine. And she has written for Boys’ Life, Highlights, Cricket, American Girl and other magazines. Her topics mainly focus on animals. Mrs. Newman wrote the February cover story for National Geographic Kids: “Do Animals Love each Other? Eight True Tales of Animal Affection.”

The author also writes for Guideposts magazine, which focuses on inspirational stories for adults.

Mrs. Newman, of East Road, developed a love of animals while growing up in Utica. The first animals she cared for were three baby mice, which she fed with an eye dropper.

Many of Mrs. Newman’s published magazine stories delve into the characteristics of animals, such as their personalities and intelligence.

“Last year, the editorial staff at National Geographic childrens books decided to put a line of kids books together based largely on those anecdotal stories I wrote,” Mrs. Newman said. “These stories are much longer.”

“Animal Superstars” is Mrs. Newman’s second book in the series. The first, “Ape Escapes! — And More True Stories of Animals Behaving Badly” was published last year.

Among the three tales in the “Superstars” book is one about Tuna, the “rock star.” The cat is in a Chicago-based all-feline band. Tuna plays percussion and cowbell.

But apparently, being a cat, Tuna isn’t in the band solely for the fun of it.

“They have to be fed treats pretty often,” Mrs. Newman said.

The two other stories involve a dog that rides motocross and Dunkirk Dave, Western New York’s groundhog version of Punxatawny Phil.

Mrs. Newman, a certified teacher, taught home economics full-time at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School and the defunct Oneida Junior High School. Except for five years, when she and her husband, Neil, lived in Fulton, Mrs. Newman has been substitute teaching at South Lewis Central School since 1984.

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