Posts Tagged nonfiction

STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– Kim Long interview

By on October 28, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

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

Today we’re exploring the intersection of science and spooky with Kim Long, author of Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures (May 6, 2025) by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Nicole Miles. Catching Cryptids explores various technological advances in a fun way by pairing them with mythical creatures and discussing how modern technology could be used to locate or “catch” these beasts. Let’s learn more about Kim and her cryptids!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Andi Diehn: This seems like a really fun topic to research! How and when did your fascination with cryptids begin?

Kim Long: I’ve always been a huge fan of the strange and weird! When I was a kid I devoured books on the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, Atlantis, and other oddities. I’m also a huge animal lover, so stories about scientists discovering new species are always on my radar. Squid are one of my favorites, and it’s only been in the last twenty years that scientists have been able to even view a squid in its natural habitat. It really makes me think about what else is out there that we haven’t found or been able to verify.

What was your research process like?

 

 

Kim: I think I’ve read every book, magazine article, and blog about cryptids! There are some great texts out there by cryptozoologists who have organized expeditions to find the Mongolian Death Worm and other cryptids. Even more fascinating in some respectsis the work wildlife scientists are doing with the latest tech. For the most part, I’d read an article or blurb in an Internet news story and then track down the actual scientific paper that served as the source for the story. Scientific journal articles list all of their sources (i.e. more articles), which sent me down many a rabbit hole as I pieced together what type of tech could partner with which cryptids.

I love how you explored the technology used in identifying new species and searching for cryptids. Do you think we’ll find even more species every year as technology improves?

Kim: Absolutely! It wasn’t until March 2025 (MARCH 2025!!!) that scientists captured the very first image of a colossal squid in its natural habitat! And it was such a baby! I can’t wait for pics of a full-size colossal squid. There is so much more of the ocean to explore. We haven’t scratched the surface. For land animals, drones make it so much easier to explore hard-to-reach places. And as airborne DNA collection advances, we’ll be able to identify species without even seeing them. That’s huge. Right now, so much is based on eyesight and catching a glimpse, but environmental DNA and airborne DNA open the door to discover where super secretive animals may be hiding.

You manage to pull a lot of threads into this book – climate change, technology, species discovery, sociology, psychology – what is it about cryptids that invites such a layered approach to examination?

Kim: I think the mysterious nature of cryptids opens the door to discussing some aspects that might not lend themselves to traditional wildlife research. If someone says they saw a dog running down the street, there’s no reason to question their opinion. But if someone says they saw a 6-foot bird screeching at them, our eyebrows raise. So, if we assume the person saw something, let’s take a look at what factors might be affecting their opinion, and then we can get into the traditional wildlife science of habitat and what technologies can help figure out what that something is.

Love the career connections in the last chapter! Why include this section?

Kim: When I was a kid, I loved animals and science and the only job I heard about was a veterinarian, which didn’t interest me. I want kids to know that there are tons of fields related to wildlife research, and not all jobs require higher education. Perhaps a kid who’s into computers never thought wildlife coding or programming was an option and will be thrilled to discover that these opportunities exist.

What’s your favorite cryptid – and why?

Kim: Ooooh. This is a tough one!! I love the kraken because WHO KNOWS WHAT’S IN THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN??? Plus, so many characteristics of the kraken match the giant squid. But, I also love the Mongolian Death Worm because there absolutely could be a worm/snake creature that lives in the sand. Then there’s Mothman, who’s been sighted in five different states and for over 50 years. And the Loch Ness monster is . . .

OK, I guess it’s fair to say I don’t have a favorite!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Kim Long is a children’s book author and former attorney. She studied environmental management in college and environmental law in law school. Her love of science, nature, and animals is reflected in her books. While she has not yet spotted a cryptid, she keeps her eyes peeled at all times, waiting for Mothman to make a guest appearance as she bikes along Illinois’s trails.

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STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– In the Classroom

By on October 14, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

 

Monsters, zombies, and other scary creatures star in tales throughout the year, but especially near Halloween! These books explore a wide range of creatures, both real and imagined, to get imaginations flowing. They make a great starting point for classroom discussions and activities!

 

Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead

by Rebecca L. Johnson

Zombies are real … but so far, the zombie-makers don’t attack humans. Yet. They do take over the brains and bodies of spiders, ants, flies, snails, and even rats. Not only that, some of these zombies are too small to avoid until it’s too late, like the teeny tiny wasps and fungal spores, and the totally invisible viruses. And then there are the brain worms! A must-read for anyone planning to hunt for zombies in their backyard!

 

Classroom Activity – Nature’s Mind Controllers

How do parasites, fungi, and viruses “take over” animal behavior? Divide students into small groups. Each group should choose a “zombie-maker” to explore. The students should research how their chosen parasite/fungus/virus infects its host and how it changes the host’s behavior. They can create a poster illustrating the life cycle of the zombie-maker, including infection, control, and transmission. They can be creative with labels, arrows, or thought bubbles to show how the host is being controlled. How does this strange behavior help the parasite survive? Each group can present its “zombie story” to the class.

 

Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures

by Kim Long

The Loch Ness monster. Kraken. Giant turtles. What some people call monsters, others call cryptids: an animal whose existence is not yet substantiated by science. The emergence of DNA technology, SONAR, bioacoustics, and other advancements has enabled cryptozoologists of every stripe to seek – and sometimes discover – the species behind the monster myth.

 

Classroom Activity – Design Your Own Cryptid

Students can use their imaginations to design a brand-new cryptid, a mysterious creature that people might believe exists but hasn’t been proven by science. Students should describe:

  • What it looks like
  • Where it lives and how it survives
  • Typical diet and behavior
  • How it hides from humans
  • What real animal or adaptation could explain it
  • What scientific tests could be used to prove this creature’s existence

Once students have designed their cryptid, have them draw or create a 3D model of it. Students can also write a short newspaper article or “eyewitness report” about their cryptid discovery.

 

Secrets of the Dead: Mummies and Other Human Remains From Around the World

by Matt Ralphs

In most environments, when someone dies, their flesh decays, leaving only bones. But not mummies. With mummified remains, we can learn about the person and their culture, including the foods they ate and the diseases they suffered from. This book brings nearly 20 mummies to life – so to speak.

 

Classroom Activity – Mummy Lessons

Scientists can learn a lot about the past from mummies, including diet, health, clothing, and burial customs. Have students select one real mummy from the book and create a Mummy Fact Card that summarizes where it was found, how it was preserved, and what scientists learned. Next, it is the students’ turn to become archaeologists. Have them imagine they just discovered a mummy. What clues would they look for to understand its story? Have the students write a diary entry from the archaeologist’s perspective about the discovery.

 

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Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, or on X @carlawrites.

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STEM Tuesday– National Parks– Author Interview- Nancy Castaldo

By on September 23, 2025   /   National Parks, STEM Tuesday  

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

Today we’re interviewing Nancy Castaldo, author of The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale. The book discusses how restoring the balance between the primary predator and prey was instrumental in restoring a U.S. park’s ecosystem.

This book is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and was nominated for a number of awards.

“Castaldo leaves it for reflective readers to decide whether that is responsible conservation or unscientific meddling with natural patterns…Stimulating reading for young naturalists and eco-activists.” – Kirkus (Nonfiction. 10-13).

Christine Taylor-Butler: Hi Nancy. Thanks for letting STEM Tuesday feature you. You are a prolific author on topics related to conservation and nature. Did you always want to be a writer?

Nancy Castaldo: Not professionally. I’ve always loved writing—I was even published in Seventeen Magazine as a teen and entered writing contests—but I never considered it a career path. I actually wanted to work with animals. It wasn’t until my college internship at Audubon Magazine that I realized I could combine my passions—writing, photography, and science—into something meaningful.

wolve sand moose cover

CTB: What inspired you to write The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem?

Nancy Castaldo: I first learned about the predator-prey studies on Isle Royale in an undergraduate ecology class, and I was fascinated. I’ve followed the research ever since. When I heard about the recent wolf reintroductions, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to dive deeper and share the story in a book for middle grade readers.

CTB: With the wolf population dropping due to illness and other factors, scientists attempted to relocate twenty to thirty wolves from the mainland.

Nancy Castaldo: Yes. The island is isolated. It’s about fifteen miles from Minnesota and fifty miles from Michigan. In 1980 there were 50 wolves and 664 Moose. By 2018, only 2 wolves remained but the moose population grew to 1,500. So bringing wolves to the island was an attempt to restore the balance.

map of isle royal

CTB: How did you gather the information to write about the interactions between wolves and moose?

wolf waiting in crateNancy Castaldo: I was fortunate to conduct on-site research on Isle Royale alongside wildlife photographer Morgan Heim. It was an incredible experience to spend time with the scientists I’d admired since college. The predator-prey study there is the longest-running of its kind in the world. We met with researchers and park scientists, often traveling by boat and then hiking into the island’s interior to observe their work firsthand. From water chemistry to tracking wolves and moose, we saw just how much goes into understanding this complex ecosystem. Isle Royale is more than just a beautiful place to visit—it’s a living laboratory, and the work done there has implications for ecosystems everywhere.

CTB: Many readers may not realize how important animals are to healthy park ecosystems.

bull moose on Isle RoyaleNancy Castaldo: That’s true. For people like me, wildlife is a big part of why we love national parks. Animals bring the landscape to life—without them, so much of the magic would be missing. On Isle Royale, the wolf and moose populations are a major draw. Visitors are captivated by its wildness and the hauntingly beautiful calls of loons and wolves. The presence of these animals is essential to the health—and appeal—of the park.

CTB: Were there any interesting facts or stories that didn’t make it into the book?

Nancy Castaldo: Always! There are so many stories and facts that just don’t fit into the final manuscript, whether due to space or because they don’t quite align with the narrative. I love sharing those “bonus” details during school visits. It’s fun to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at the research and writing process.

CTB: Do you have any upcoming books we should keep an eye out for?

Nancy Castaldo: Yes! I’m excited to be releasing two new books for young readers this year, both focused on conservation and river recovery. RIVERKEEPER: Protecting an American River and WHALES IN THE CITY highlight real-world successes and show how much we can accomplish when we work together. I’m also thrilled about my first book for adult readers—and curious young adults—coming out next month:

I can’t wait to share all of these new stories with readers!

three upcoming book covers

Nancy bio photoNancy Castaldo has written award-winning books about our planet for over 25 years from New York’s Hudson Valley. Her love of reading and writing outdoors began in her childhood. Her curiosity led her to study science. As an environmental educator and photographer, Nancy combined all of her interests. She still enjoys spending her time exploring in the wild as she did while researching over two dozen books and many articles.

Nancy is a certified National Geographic educator and served on the boards of her local Audubon Society and Girl Scout Council. In addition, Nancy serves on the Council of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network and the Writer’s Council of the National Writing Project

Nancy writes to inform, inspire, and empower her readers about the world around them.

 

author christine Taylor-butler

Photo by Kecia Stovall

Your host is Christine Taylor-Butler, a graduate of MIT and author of The Oasis, Save the… Tigers, Save the . . . Blue Whales, and many other nonfiction books for kids. She is also the author of the STEM based middle grade sci-fi series The Lost Tribes. Follow @ChristineTB on X and or @ChristineTaylorButler on Instagram. She lives in Missouri with a tank of fish and cats that think they are dogs.
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