Another Extraordinary Animal

Starred Kirkus Review: "This well-crafted success story of a species' salvation will encourage budding environmentalists.""A worthwhile addition to Pattison's Another Extraordinary Animal series." BooklistCan humans save a species from extinction? Yes! With patience, persistence, and a full dose of hope.This is the heartbreaking tale of a Galápagos giant tortoise species that was almost extinct, the herculean task of conservation work by scientists and volunteers, and a heartwarming tale of hope for our planet.In 1959, Ecuador established a national park to protect the Galápagos Islands. When they did a census, scientists found only 14 individual Española Island tortoises. The species was almost extinct.Then, they found one more Española tortoise-in the San Diego Zoo!They named him Diego and brought him back to the Galápagos for a breeding program.Ecuador established one of the most successful breeding programs in scientific history. For sixty years, scientists and hundreds of volunteers have fought valiantly to save this amazing giant tortoise species. Would it be enough? Would they be able to save the species? Read the amazing story of Diego, the giant Galápagos tortoise.This is the fifth book in a picture book series, Another Extraordinary Animal, which includes a bird, mammal, spider, amphibian, and reptile. Back matter for this book contains information about Diego, his species, the Galápagos Islands, and more. Children's book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, two Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children's Book in Language Arts, a 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Books, and an Arkansiana Award. She's the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children's literature.

THE AMAZING VOYAGE OF NEFERTITI, THE SPIDERNAUT - Most spiders spin a web and passively wait for prey to come to them. Jumping spiders, by contrast, actively hunt by jumping to catch their food. What if a jumping spider was sent to the International Space Station? When it jumped, it would simply float. No one knew if the spider could hunt in a weightless environment. This nonfiction picture book for elementary kids chronicles the amazing voyage of Nefertiti, the Spidernaut to the International Space Station and back. She's a Phiddipus johnsonii, or Johnson jumping spider, native to western United States. Her colorful anatomy-red, black and teal-made for stunning photography and video. In 2012, Nefertitti clocked a record-breaking 100 days in space, during which time she circled Earth about 1584 times, traveling about 41,580,000 miles. Astronaut Sunita Williams, Captain U.S. Navy said, "It was a suspense story for me as it happened. I didn't know if she would survive when I unpacked her for the first time, or when I packed her up and sent her back home to Earth." This is an astonishing story of change: through the dark and cold, in spite of being weightless and isolated, this incredible spider adapted and learned to hunt. Against all odds, she survived to return to Earth, where she had to re-adapt to Earth's gravity. Nefertiti's story of survival brings hope that we, too, can adapt to a changing world. Join Nefertiti in this inspiring journey into space.

Ages 7-10Who holds the world record triple jump record – for bullfrogs?Rosie, the Ribeter.She set the record in May 1986 at 21 feet 5 ¾ inches.Her record has stood for over 30 years.This is her story.It all started with Mark Twain and his famous story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." After it was published, the Calaveras County fair started the Jumping Frog Jubilee™, which has run since 1928. Over the years, the frogs have jumped farther.Why? Scientists say it's because of the frog jockeys,the men and women who catch and jump the frogs.Read this extraordinary story of a man and a frog.Backmatter includes information on the American Bullfrog, Mark Twain, and comparing lab results to field work. Children's book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, two Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children's Book in Language Arts, a 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Books, and an Arkansiana Award. She's the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children's literature.