The Orca Wild series travels over land, underwater and through the air to meet the animals who live in our world. The books challenge us to think about our relationships, both good and bad, with vulnerable species and habitats. Part of the nonfiction Orca Wild series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book examines the biology, habitat and environmental threats facing bioluminescent species on land and in the water. It glows!
Key Selling Points
• This STEAM book examines the evolution, biology, habitat and threats to survival that bioluminescent species face on both land and in the ocean, and introduces young readers to a variety of bioluminescent species (there are quadrillions in the ocean alone) around the world and in various habitats.
• Explores topical issues, such as the effects of climate change, pollution, loss of habitat, overfishing, ocean acidification and invasive species on bioluminescent species.
• Examines the latest science on bioluminescent species. For example, it's being used to understand how cancer cells grow and how tropical diseases such as dengue fever and malaria spread.
• Profiles artists who make living art with bioluminescence, including Eduardo Kac's controversial fluorescent green, genetically modified live rabbit.
• Gives young readers practical tools to help conserve bioluminescent species, and shows how they can use citizen science to protect habitats and maintain biodiversity.
• The author is a biologist, the editorial director of the science journal Biodiversity and the author of two books in the Orca Footprints series (Saving the Night and Listen Up!).
Bioluminescent animals make their own light to survive.
A firefly lights up the night sky, a foxfire mushroom sets the forest floor aglow and sea butterflies shine like beacons deep in the ocean. These glowing species are one of the most spectacular wonders of the natural world, and they are found on land, in the air and in the depths of the ocean.
In Living Light, discover how and why bioluminescent creatures glow, and what that special ability can tell scientists about how diseases such as cancer and malaria spread in humans. These light makers are facing threats from the effects of climate change, pollution and loss of habitat, and they need our protection. Young readers will learn how they can shine a light on bioluminescent species and use citizen science to conserve their habitats and keep these creatures glowing into the future.
Stephen Aitken is a biologist, artist and author. Despite an early brush with nyctophobia (fear of the dark), he became fascinated with bioluminescence while researching a book he wrote on the dangers of light pollution. He has written and illustrated many picture books, chapter books and close to a dozen nonfiction books for middle-grade readers, and he is the author of Saving the Night and Listen Up! in the Orca Footprints series. Stephen is the cofounder and executive secretary of Biodiversity Conservancy International and is the editorial director of the science journal Biodiversity.
