I love sharing fascinating information about the amazing world we live in with readers, especially children. When i was young, the natural world intrigued me, and I spent hours outside, chasing butterflies, catching tadpoles, and hunting for salamanders. Riding horses, hiking with my cocker spaniel Buffy–interacting with the animals that live with us also fed me. So sharing my curiosity and knowledge through writing is a natural outcome for a person like me–and in this section you can learn about the books I’ve written and what I’ve learned. Enjoy!
At Home with the Prairie Dog tells how this appealing small animal is vital to the health of prairies. Its burrows provide refuge for other animals from beetles to rattlesnakes and burrowing owls. Altogether, 150 different kinds of animals have been found in and around prairie dog burrows!
The Horn Book magazine review of The Lizard Scientists mentions the “easily understandable” text and high-quality photos.
Eclipse, the bus-riding dog, died in October 2022. Here are some memories of my visit with her.
ISBN13: 9780399549885 ISBN10: 0399549889 Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, January 2016 Eclipse, Seattle’s bus riding dog, died in her sleep in late October. She had been sick, and she was old after a busy and happy life with her person Jeff. My book, Dog on Board, tells her story. Take a look for …
Scientists study related lizards in the Caribbeans to learn how evolution happens. Anole lizards evolved independently on different islands into similar species–bright green giants in the treetops. Sleek camouflaged speedsters in bushes and grasses, and more.
This award-winning book tells about the unique pika, an appealing rabbit relative living high up in the cold, snowy Rockies.
In 1995 wolves were brought back to the Yellowstone ecosystem after an absence of about 70 years. Since then, the wolves have thrived, and the ecosystem has continued to become more diverse as other keystone species such beavers are returning and adding new habitat for a huge variety of living things.
Congress passed the Homestead Act in 1862, and President Abraham Lincoln signed it. Homesteaders had to build their home and plow at least 20 acres for crops to “prove up” the claim to get full ownership of the property. Then even the poor could own land if they worked hard enough.
When schools aren’t open–no field trips, no biology classes– nature-loving city kids don’t need to feel deprived–they’ve got piegons! They don’t need to go that far to watch nature in action–the windowsill or sidewalk edging can show you wildlife in action, as pigeons forage for food and male pigeons display, strut, and coo in hopes of finding a mate.
Artist Deborah Milton and I traveled to the wild islands of British Columbia to experience the habitat and life of the Kermode bear, a rare subspecies of the American black bear that often produces creamy white cubs. They are not albino; their eyes and skin are dark. This rarity lives only in this temperate rainforest.
