March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

Maryland’s Green Author Collaborates With Animal Experts And Children For New Releases

Animal lovers, especially children, will be thrilled to learn that local author Jennifer Keats Curtis is welcoming three new additions to her kids’ book collection this fall: Squirrel Rescue; SEAHORSES; and Animal Helpers.

When a baby squirrel falls out of his nest during a football game, the players call a timeout to figure out the best way to help the furry mammal in Squirrel Rescue (Schiffer Publishing). Award-winning artist Laura Jacques’ illustrations beautifully capture the details and helps accurately describe this animal adventure. “I was fascinated to learn how the mother squirrel carries her babies…in her mouth!” said Jacques, “The young squirrel instinctively knows to curl itself up like a ball, holding on by one tiny forearm wrapped around his mother’s head. Mom is so fast and skilled at this act that the whole process is just a blur. Nature is amazing!”

In the creative nonfiction, SEAHORSES (MacMillan), Curtis’ evocative language and Chad Wallace’s shimmering illustrations tell the life story of the seahorse. Curtis interviewed several experts for this book including Maryland student, Nicole Moy. Moy, now a high schooler, creates and sells seahorse-shaped jewelry and bookmarks to raise funds for the nonprofit Project Seahorse. A portion of the proceeds from SEAHORSES is being donated to the organization in her honor.

The nonfiction Animal Helpers (Sylvan Dell) is the first in a series of photographic journals that takes readers behind the scenes of zoos, sanctuaries, rescue centers, and wildlife rehabilitation clinics around the country. The first book, Animal Helpers: Wildlife Rehabilitators, features the work of four wildlife rehabilitators, including Kathy Woods of the Phoenix Wildlife Center in Maryland, who was the impetus of my realistic fiction, Baby Owl’s Rescue. U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s (FWS) Randy Loftus also contributed extraordinary photographs of a raptor rescue by fellow biologist Peter McGowan. “Between 2005 and 2010, I participated in a FWS osprey study and personally climbed into more than 100 nests to gather data on hazardous, manmade materials considered life-threatening to the species,” notes Loftus, “I literally removed strangling fishing line from numerous chicks and assisted in adult recovery. There is no greater reward than to save an innocent life…to right a wrong and to watch your efforts recover, grow, and then take flight.” Not only do these books educate young readers and their parents or caregivers about proper treatment of wild animals, the books are being used to raise funds for each participating center.

Curtis is also working with rehabilitators, animal experts, and local Green Club members who would like to guest blog about their experiences and/or provide advice about helping animals in need. That blog will appear on the Sylvan Dell website as part of the “For Creative Minds” section of Animal Helpers.

A regular in Maryland schools since 2006, Curtis is passionate about promoting literacy and conservation, particularly among young students throughout the Great State. In addition to the new books, Curtis’ other titles include: Baby Owl’s Rescue; Turtles In My Sandbox; Osprey Adventure and Saving Squeak: The Otter Tale.

Previous Article

Xanadu Closing Out Annapolis Summer Garden Season

Next Article

Irish Festival Presents $30K To Local Charities

You might be interested in …