A baby sea otter meets predators and other perils that lurk in the sea. When the baby disappears, will the mother find her? Will the pup survive? An exciting (nonfiction) story of dangers faced by a sea otter pup and the strong bond between the mother and her baby. Brilliant  illustrations by Joan Paley add excitement and enhance the text. Additional science facts about sea otters and their return from near extinction are at the end of the book, for ages 5 to 10.

"Best Book of the Year 2005" – Bank Street College of Education
“Superior” rating by Hornbook Guide
"Recommended" by Library Media Connection"
"Recommended" by Science Books and Films

Critic's Reviews
From Science Books and Films "This delightful book traces the life of a sea otter from birth to her own motherhood. The vocabulary is suited to all of elementary school and for reading aloud. The author has done a fine job of selecting many important aspects of sea otter behavior and ecology for her readers. Recommended"
From Booklist 11-1-05 .... "Colorful collages, created from delicately hand-painted and textured papers, bring the details in the text to life, showing the kelp bed that keeps the baby from drifting away, the shells the otters eat, and the careful attention the mother gives her offspring. Informative and entertaining, this is an excellent resource to introduce young children to sea otters. Additional information is appended in "Sea Otter Facts." Karen Hutt Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved
From Kirkus August 2005 "....Beautiful art and solid facts for animal lovers."
From Horn Book: October 2005 ... "Paley’s vibrantly colored cut-paper illustrations engage readers while also enhancing the excellent scientific information presented in Tatham’s absorbing text.  ...The account condenses a remarkable amount of information, conveyed in a manner understandable to young children, in just a few lines or paragraphs per page."
From School Library Journal "The clear, simple paragraphs of text, interspersed with the drama that the otters face daily, will keep young readers interested. Paley's lush blue- and aqua-toned collages add texture and richness... the topic will appeal to a wide audience." –DeAnn Tabuchi, San Anselmo Public Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

How Animals Communicate (A Franklin Watts Science book) by Betty Tatham Reading level: Ages 8-12   64 pages Publisher: Scholastic Library (a Division of Scholastic Inc.) March 2004
Paperback: ISBN: 0531162141

Library Edition: ISBN: 0531121674

Animals send messages that can be seen, heard, felt, or smelled.   They tell each other how they feel and what they want.  Some “mis-communicate” to trick or confuse another animal. Packed with science facts and beautiful color photos of animals from around the world, this 64 page book, with glossary and index is suitable for students ages 8 to 12.

"Recommended" by Science Books and Films

 Critics Reviews:
From Children's Literature "Kissing groundhogs, singing whales, dancing bees, and spraying skunks tell each other important messages... Kids who ask millions of questions on animal-related field trips will gravitate to this author's interesting explanation of animal behavior. Recommended."
From Science Books and Films "These well-written and enjoyable children's books are about animal communication and play activities. The books are a pleasure to read and relate even some facts that an adult reader is unlikely to know. Recommended."
Reviewed by Joan Bowman, Library Board member of the Bucks County Library System.“Children interested in animals will enjoy perusing this book, and the information can be utilized to complete school assignments, too.  A must-buy for both public and school libraries.” 

How Animals Play (A Franklin Watts Science book)  by Betty Tatham Reading level: Ages 8-12, 64 pages Publisher: Scholastic Library (a Division of Scholastic Inc.) March 2004
ISBN: 0531162362 (Paperback)

Publisher: Scholastic Library,
ISBN: 0-531-12173-9 (Lib.Binding)

Animals play because they enjoy the activity.  However, play can teach an animal how to catch prey, avoid an enemy, find a mate or make friends. Children discover what animals play with snowballs, go sleigh riding on their backs, have boxing or wrestling matches, play “it” or other social games, have fun with “toys” or play in other ways.  Many color photos of animals at play are included in this science book (with glossary) for students ages 8 to 12.

"Recommended" by Science Books and Films

Critics Reviews:
From Children's Literature "This attractive book is a great example of presenting college level material to children. Compared to most children's books about nature, this one avoids oversimplifying the science."
From Science Books and Films "Books such as these often are overly thropomorphic, so the author's general use of restraint is admirable. In sum, these books would be a useful resource for an elementary school library, both for enjoyment and to supplement class discussions or projects on animal behavior and ecology. Recommended." 

How Animals Shed Their Skin (A Franklin Watts Science book) by Betty Tatham Reading level: Ages 8-12  Publisher: Scholastic Library (a Division of Scholastic Inc.) 
Paperback: (Mar. 2003)
ISBN:0531165906

Library Binding: (Sept. 2002)
ISBN: 0613594983

For humans and other mammals shedding skin is no problem and it happens without even thinking about it.  For many other animals shedding their skin is difficult and it can even be dangerous.   Students find out how lobsters may lose a claw while shedding (and grow a new one later), that frogs eat their skin, spiders may become prey while shedding and other exciting facts about how snakes, caterpillars, monkeys, mosquitoes and other animals shed their skin.  A colorful, fact filled 64 page book with glossary and information about other books and on-line sources. For students ages 8 to 12.

"Best Books" Broadart Science in the School Library, 2004-05; High/Low

Critics Reviews:
From Children's Literature "Mix some pretty nifty animals, their bodily functions, terrific photographs and interesting facts about each and you have the recipe for this engaging book about how animals shed their skin. This is not a popular topic in most homes, but one that evokes interest for many children, and would be a welcome addition to most classrooms and any school or public library. It is well researched and attractively presented."

Penguin Chick (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science) by Betty Tatham, Helen K. Davie (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 5-9,   40 pages Publisher: HarperTrophy (December 1, 2001)
Library binding: ISBN: 0064452069
Paperback: ISBN: 006028594X  
Hardcover: ISBN: 0060285958     

Translated and Published in Korea

As the frigid winter begins, an emperor penguin lays an egg on the Antarctic ice.  Her mate stays to guard it, without food, in the harshest place on earth.  Will the chick survive?  Will the mother return in time with food?  This Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science book, with lyrical illustrations by Helen K. Davie, has children spellbound as they learn about the loving relationship between two parents and their offspring.  Information about five other penguin species plus “penguin activities” at the back of the 40 page book  have made this a favorite with many children ages 5 to 9.   Schools often use PENGUIN CHICK to augment a unit on penguins, Antarctica, animals that live in the ocean, other science related subjects or language arts.

Awards/Honors
“Best Book of the Year” – Children’s Book Committee, Bank Street College of Education, 2003

An award winning “Outstanding Science Trade Book of 2003” (K- 8)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

“Children’s Literature Choice List of 2003” of award winning books

“Book of the Month” (for first grade students in Governor McGreevey’s Book Club), February, 2003

“Editor’s Choice” – Early Trumpet Book Club

The Children’s Book Council and the National Science Teachers Association selected PENGUIN CHICK
to be in the national traveling exhibition “Children’s Science Book Fair 2003.”

The exhibit was sponsored by the Association of Science and Technology Centers.
Penguin Chick is in Scholastic Book Clubs and Book Fairs
and it was chosen a main selection in the Children’s Book of the Month Club.

Scott Foresman published PENGUIN CHICK in the spring of 2005 in a reading textbook "Reading Street" for third grade students. It was recently been translated into Korean in 2005 by Woongjin Publishing Company.

In the spring of 2006 MacMillan/McGraw Hill published PENGUIN CHICK in "Treasures," a reading/language arts anthology for third grade students.

Critics Reviews:
From Children's Literature "In informative and simple prose, Tatham tells how these penguins nest, incubate the single egg, take turns eating and caring for the egg and chick and exhibit typical penguin behavior such as tobogganing and huddling in creches."

Critic's Reviews
Book List (American Library Association) by Carolyn Phelan, 2003 "This well-illustrated book from the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series follows the growth of one penguin chick from egg to adulthood.  The story has been told before, but the clear, simple text provides intriguing details and inherent drama that will keep young children involved straight through till the end.  Using cool, wintry hues, Davie’s paintings illustrate the penguin’s world in a series of varied compositions that are often beautiful in their clean lines and subtle, modulated colors.” 

Horn Book: “Tatham provides an impressive introduction to emperor penguin growth and development.  The book is clear and accurate, presenting information in a manner that trusts the intelligence of children without taking away from their fascination with nature.  Davie’s illustrations capture the appealing shapes and movements of the penguins, and a helpful growth timeline at the end of the book allows readers to directly compare stages in penguin development.”

Kirkus  11-15-2001 “Newcomer Tatham offers a clearly written, well-researched chronicle of a penguin’s growth cycle from egg to young adult in the ever-reliable Let’s Read-and-Find-Out Science series.  The chronological narrative uses short but interesting sentences to describe the loving care of the penguin parents and the varied sounds the birds use to communicate.  The attractive design includes large illustrations on every page…….”

Presentations

Author visits are designed to meet a school's needs. They range from a one day visit where all students participate in an age appropriate assembly program to a week long Author in Residence Program with one day per grade. Children in two grades can also share a day. Some schools have asked for a 2 or 3-day visit to provide time for both research and writing focused assemblies and/or writing workshops. Power Point presentations include photos of penguins in Antarctica, sea otters at Monterey Bay Aquarium and on-site research conducted in China (pandas) and Africa (elephants, giraffe, lions and cheetahs) to enhance programs.

Students learn how an idea becomes a book and how to combine science facts and writing skills to create exciting nonfiction text. Excerpts from my books help illustrate how to "grab and hold" the reader's interest, the importance of word choices, revising (polishing to create a gem) and other writing tips. Children are inspired to read more and to become more confident nonfiction writers. The youngest children also enjoy "penguin activities" that reinforce science facts they have learned.

Professional Fees
Local Schools - within 50 miles of Holland, PA
$600 per day for 3 fifty minute presentations and $800 for 4.

Other School Visits 50 to 100 miles from Holland $800 for 3 presentations and $1,000 for 4.

Schools more than 100 miles from my home need to schedule 2 consecutive days in the same area at $1000 per day for 4 presentations.

Book Signing with all school visits.

Expense reimbursements: mileage and/or train or plane fare, lodging and meals.

Click for school visit reviews:

Contact

Betty Tatham
79 Old Mill Lane
Holland, PA 18966

Phone (215) 860-5223
mailto:btatham100@verizon.net

Website: http://www.bettytatham.com