Posts Tagged librarians

STEM Tuesday — Reptiles — Interview with Author Sneed B. Collard III

By on September 28, 2021   /   Reptiles, STEM Tuesday  

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview & Book Giveaway, a repeating feature for the fourth Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!

Today we’re interviewing award-winning author Sneed B. Collard III, author of One Iguana, Two Iguanas: A Story of Accident, Natural Selection, and Evolution. In its starred review, Kirkus declares the book a “fresh and accessible approach to an important scientific concept.”

Mary Kay Carson: Tell us a bit about One Iguana, Two Iguanas. How did the book come about?

Sneed B. Collard III: Being a reptile nut, I had been thinking about marine iguanas for a long time, and even devoted a section to them in my book Sneed B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards, which has garnered a surprisingly large following over the years. When my family and I got to visit the Galápagos in 2016, seeing these unique animals instantly became one of the highlights of my life. Besides their incredible adaptations, the animals’ fascinating history intrigued me as a beautiful example of how new species arise from accidents and evolution, and I wanted to share that story with both children and adults. Coincidentally, a fairly recent scientific paper had used genetic markers to establish the timeline for when marine iguanas and Galápagos land iguanas split into different species, and I thought it would make a great story for young readers. I sat down to write the story and my editor at Tilbury snapped it up.

MKC: Care to share a favorite research experience?

Sneed: After reading about marine iguanas for so many years—and watching nature shows about them—just seeing these lizards dive into the ocean sent chills up my spine. Another thing that made a deep impression on me is that the Galápagos had recently come out of an El Niño year, in which warmer waters surround the islands and the lizards’ favorite marine algae dies back. This often leads to widespread starvation, and as we walked one island we found dozens of marine iguana skeletons littering the coastline. Since climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of El Niño events, the skeletons were a sobering example of how urgent it is for we humans to cut our global CO2 emissions immediately.

The highlight of my visit down there, however, happened on our last day of snorkeling. My daughter, son, and I had just climbed back into a zodiac boat after swimming with sea turtles when another snorkeler shouted that a marine iguana was feeding underwater right next to him. I quickly pulled on my mask and snorkel and leaped back into the water. I swam over there just in time to see a large iguana grasping a rock about three feet below the surface, using its teeth to scrape algae off of the rock. It is a sight I will never forget!

marine (l.) and land (r.) iguanas

MKC: How would you describe the book’s approach?

Sneed: To me, evolution is one of the most remarkable stories on earth, and so for One Iguana, Two Iguanas, I just wanted to tell the story of how the marine iguana came to be. The recent genetic research made that fairly easy. I just imagined that first pregnant female lizard (scientists think it was a kind of ctenosaur lizard) somehow floating on a raft hundreds of miles when dozens—perhaps hundreds—before her had perished at sea. Somehow, though, she made it to the Galápagos, and turned a brand new species loose. After introducing the lizards, I just launched into the story of how the islands were created, how new life reached them, and then used our best understanding of evolution to recount how that new species established itself on the islands and eventually split into the two species of iguanas we have today. This approach allowed me both to use my best story-telling skills and slip in the science of it all at key moments. Sidebars and other excursions allowed me fill in the rest. It ended up being one of the favorite books I’ve ever written!

MKC: To whom did you imagine yourself writing to while drafting the book?

Sneed B. Collard III is an award-winning author of more than 85 children’s books, including his newest titles, Waiting for a Warbler and Beaver and Otter Get Along . . . Sort of. He is a popular speaker and has spoken at schools and conferences in 46 states and four foreign countries. To learn more about him and his books, visit his website www.sneedbcollardiii.com. Also follow the birding adventures of him and his son at fathersonbirding.com.

Sneed: Actually, both of my parents were on my mind while I was writing. Both were biologists who had unfortunately passed away before their time in the years before my visit to the islands. I knew how much they would have loved to visit the Galápagos, but they never did. I could almost feel them smiling over my shoulder as I worked on the story, though. Another huge inspiration was Dr. Jack Grove, a scientist, Galápagos guide, and former graduate student of my dad’s. Jack and I have developed a special friendship over the years and he has shared many Galápagos stories with me. I dedicated the book to him, and he actually provided a number of its outstanding photographs.

MKC: Do you choose to write about STEM books?

Sneed: When I write, I don’t think, “I am writing a STEM book.” STEAM and STEM, after all, are just artificial constructs that, I think, sometimes mask the fact that this is a really great book or this is an amazing story. I simply set out to write about things that interest me and that I think will help get other people excited about this incredible planet we live on. I don’t want only a science teacher to pick up my book. If I’ve done my job well, I want everyone to read it without partitioning their interests according to the academic categories we’ve been taught. I’ve worked with and mentored a lot of young people, and whenever I can I tell them, “Take an interest in everything. We only get one life. The more you learn, the more you will appreciate what a remarkable journey we are on.”

Win a FREE copy of One Iguana, Two Iguanas!

Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment below. The randomly-chosen winner will be contacted via email and asked to provide a mailing address (within the U.S. only) to receive the book.

Good luck!

Your host is Mary Kay Carson, author of Wildlife Ranger Action Guide, The Tornado Scientist, Alexander Graham Bell for Kids, Mission to Pluto, and other nonfiction books for kids. @marykaycarson

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STEM Tuesday — Reptiles — Writing Tips & Resources

By on September 21, 2021   /   Reptiles, STEM Tuesday  

GREAT REPTILES IN HISTORY

Opening movie scene.

Fade in.

Cue the David Attenborough or Morgan Freeman narrator voice:

GREAT REPTILES IN HISTORY… 

For some reason, the title was the first thing that popped into my head when I sat down to draft this post. I have no reason why. But, what the heck? I felt obligated to the STEM creative muse to run with it.

Great reptiles in history!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Green_turtle_in_Kona_2008-1024x823.jpg

Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Man alive, there sure are a lot of reptiles. How do you even start to make a list of the greatest ones when they’re all pretty dang awesome?

You start by making a fully-loaded, everything-you-can-think-of list. Just as in writing the first draft of a manuscript, the thing you wish to make won’t be a real thing, a thing full of possibility, until you put it to paper first. 

Nothing can be finished until it is started.

So make your list. Write that first word. And follow it with another. And another. And another. Make it real by making it a real thing.

Make that !@#$% first draft. (That has to be in Morgan Freeman’s narrator voice because David Attenborough’s narrator voice doesn’t seem appropriate saying, “!@#$%”)

Writing and Great Reptile Lists. Great Reptile Lists and writing.

Gadow, Hans, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The important bit in creating something is to first make it happen. Once you make something happen, it exists. If it exists, you can make it better. You can eliminate all the really, really good reptiles from the list to make a better, more meaningful list for someone interested in discovering Great Reptiles in History. With writing, you can cut everything from the !@#$% first draft that doesn’t belong in the story thread to make a more meaningful narrative for the reader.

Once the work exists, it can also be shared with others to mine the expertise and skill of a trusted network. With my now pared-down list of great reptiles, I can share it with other herpetology fans/experts to get their revision ideas, criticism, and advice on which reptiles belong on the list and which don’t. The writer can benefit from critique partners, writing groups, and beta readers to identify what works and what doesn’t. By sharing your work, your work can improve your writing. 

Creating better work. Isn’t that our ultimate goal?

Whether it’s the ultimate list of great reptiles in history, your first manuscript, or your 20th manuscript, get the words down.

Make them real.

Make them better.

Make them available.

Make them shine.

Cue the David Attenborough or Morgan Freeman narrator voice:

GREAT REPTILES IN HISTORY!

APPRECIATE THEM.

TAKE CARE OF THEM.

GIVE THEM THEIR SPACE ON THIS PLANET.

Fade to black.

THE END

Mike Hays has worked hard from a young age to be a well-rounded individual. A well-rounded, equal opportunity sports enthusiast, that is. If they keep a score, he’ll either watch it, play it, or coach it. A molecular microbiologist by day, middle-grade author, sports coach, and general good citizen by night, he blogs about sports/training-related topics at  www.coachhays.com and writer stuff at  www.mikehaysbooks.com. Two of his science essays, The Science of Jurassic Park and Zombie Microbiology 101,  are included in the Putting the Science in Fiction collection from Writer’s Digest Books. He can be found roaming around the Twitter-sphere under the guise of @coachhays64.

The O.O.L.F Files

This month’s Out Of Left Field (O.O.L.F.) Files slither into the glorious world of reptiles. By land, by sea, and by air, here are some links to make the herpetologist in all of us a tad bit happier.

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STEM Tuesday — Reptiles — Book List

By on September 7, 2021   /   Reptiles, STEM Tuesday  

Have you ever found a snake in your garden? Watched a turtle cross the road? Met a dragon face-to-face? These books are all about the cold-blooded, scaly denizens of our planet, and how we can make our world a better place for them.

Ultimate Reptileopedia: The Most Complete Reptile Reference Ever by Christina Wilsdon

The first section introduces what reptiles are, adaptations, habitats, and conservation concerns. This is followed by sections with detailed information on a diversity of species: lizards and snakes; turtles and tortoises; and crocodilians. Each spread includes a photo, quick facts, and an encyclopedic entry about the featured reptile. Plus there’s a chat with a herpetologist at the end.

 

 

World’s Biggest Reptiles by Tom Jackson with illustrations by Vladimir Jevtic

How can animals grow so big – and why would they? This book takes a look at huge reptiles in the ocean and on land. There’s a fun mix of photos, textboxes, and graphic-style pages with speech bubbles as well as size comparisons to a human.

 

 

 

Unusual Life Cycles of Reptiles by Jaclyn Jaycox

Which reptiles are only female, which climb trees, and which ones take 18 months to hatch? These fascinating facts, as well as the lifecycles, lifespans, migrations, and reproduction of a range of reptiles are explored using a combination of full page photographs, side-bar fact nuggets, and helpful back matter.

 

 

One Iguana, Two Iguanas: A Story of Accident, Natural Selection, and Evolution by Sneed B. Collard III

A great introduction to the marine iguana and land iguana that live in the Galapagos Islands. This book covers the formation of the islands and how iguanas arrived (by accident!). It shows how the Galapagos shaped the evolution of other species as well.

 

Sneed B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards  by Sneed B. Collard III

Lizards are the least understood but most common reptile on our planet. This book introduces a diversity of lizards, how they eat and keep from being eaten, and other adaptations. There’s a section on threats to lizards and conservation efforts.

 

Komodo Dragons: Deadly Hunting Reptiles by Rebecca Hirsch

Fun exploration of the traits, habits, and habitats of a Komodo Dragon, through the use of a compare and contrast evaluation of other unusual, amazing reptiles. Although the Rhinoceros Iguana, Mexican Mole Lizard, Yellow-Bellied Sea Snakes, and Burmese Pythons share some individual aspects, the Komodo Dragon is a unique, big, venomous reptile. The book includes conservation efforts, a trait chart, and expanded learning resources.

 

 

DK Everything You Need to Know About Snakes and Other Scaly Reptiles by John Woodward

After a quick definition and a family tree, this book jumps right into snakes. We see the insides of snakes and a detailed skeleton, learn all about how fangs work, what venom is, and how it works. An interactive component is added by turning the book.

 

Awesome Snake Science! 40 Activities for Learning about Snakes by Cindy Blobaum

A good introduction to finding snakes, as well as their anatomy, how they eat, how they move, and adaptations. Lots of fun “snake science” sidebars sprinkled throughout. Activities include experiments and art projects that are simple, engaging, and safe for kids.

 

 

Sea Turtles are Awesome by Mirella S. Miller

A concise overview of sea turtles, their adaptations to underwater life, where they live, what they eat, threats facing them, and what you can do to help save sea turtles. Throughout the book are sidebars highlighting a number. It might be how many hours it takes to dig a nest, with a bullet-list of details about how to dig one, or the number of eyelids a sea turtle has.

 

Turtles & Tortoises: An In-depth Look at Chelonians, the Shelled Reptiles That Have Existed Since the Time of Dinosaurs by Taylor, Barbara

Full of stunning photographs and detailed diagrams, this book delves into the features and movement, life cycles and survival, habitats and history of familiar and strange chelonians. In addition to six detailed “Focus On” sections (one on the Galapagos Tortoise), it offers fascinating nuggets from the literature, mythology, and art surrounding turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.

 

Alligators and Crocodiles!: Strange and Wonderful by Laurence Pringle and illustrated by Meryl Henderson.

This book opens with an up-close-and-personal encounter with an alligator and its hatchlings. From there we are introduced to the diversity of crocodilians, and how they are alike and different. There’s info on conservation issues, too.

 

Bringing Back the American Alligator by Cynthia O’Brien

The American alligator was endangered at one time, but conservation efforts helped the population recover. This book shows how legislation and action by federal and state agencies helped protect the alligator. The increasing number of gators is helping restore the ecosystem as well. Includes information about what people can do to keep wetland habitats healthy for all species.

 

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This month’s book list prepared by:

 

Sue Heavenrich is a blogger, author and, as a kid, adopted a horned lizard (aka: horny toad) and curated a collection of snake skulls on a hidden shelf in the back of the garage. When not writing, you’ll find her counting pollinators in the garden or tromping through the woods. Visit her at www.sueheavenrich.com.

 

Maria Marshall is a children’s author, blogger, and poet passionate about making nature and reading fun for children. She’s been a judge for the Cybils Awards from 2017 to present. Her poems are published in The Best Of Today’s Little Ditty 2017-2018, 2016, and 2014-2015 anthologies. When not writing, critiquing, or reading, she bird watches, travels the world, bakes, and hikes. Visit her at www.mariacmarshall.com.

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