'Curious Critters' Picture Book Shows Children The Importance Of Animals (PHOTOS)

From Curious Critters:

Award-winning wildlife photographer David FitzSimmons hopes that children will learn to appreciate nature through reading his new picture book, "Curious Critters."

Beautiful butterflies, bright red beetles, and a big brown bat are just a few of the truly curious animals depicted in the Sigma Pro photographer's stunning images.

All of the curious critters are photographed against white backdrops. "White backgrounds," FitzSimmons explained, "eliminate distractions and allow readers to notice the animals' unique colors, textures, shapes, and even 'personalities.'"

While photographer and author FitzSimmons admits that animals may not have personalities, he took artistic license, letting each animal tell about its natural history. A bush katydid explains her bubblegum-pink color, a poetic opossum opines upon her often-shortened name, and a far-from-modest black swallowtail butterfly lets readers in on her secret for avoiding predators. [Text continues below images.]

Book Statement: All animals portrayed in this book were handled carefully and not sedated. Some resided at centers dedicated to education, conservation, and rehabilitation. Wild animals were returned safely to their habitats.

All images and captions courtesy of David FitzSimmons.

FitzSimmons, a professor at Ashland University and a former school teacher, wrote the book to be fun and educational. "Curious Critters" successfully walks a fine line, meeting all K-4 life science education standards of the National Research Council yet engaging even the most reluctant readers.

Sample flipping book pages, more info about the unique photography techniques and signed copies of award-winning "Curious Critters" are available at curious-critters.com. "Curious Critters" is also available at bookstores across North America and online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Comments

[southingtonian]

04:27 AM on 11/07/2011

The cedar waxwing must have just fluffed its feathers. Elegant birds that are usually sleekly coiffed, they did me the favor of coming en masse to our fruit-covered cherry crabapple tree just after an early snowfall. The image of that still green-leaved tree, laden with red fruit, and housing perhaps 100 of these beautiful birds...if only I had owned a camera, I would have had the best cover for my Christmas cards that year.

[Igor Purlantov]

12:01 PM on 11/03/2011

Wonderful pictures. Sounds like a great book.

[LivelyLexie]

12:24 PM on 10/28/2011

...and the picture of the first frog is so cute. I love how his little pads(?)/hands are tucked up.

[LivelyLexie]

12:23 PM on 10/28/2011

These pictures are all amazing. Even the insect ones, and I REALLY don't like bugs.
And look how cute the opossum is! How can anyone think they're ugly or creepy?

[southingtonian]

04:31 AM on 11/07/2011

Though opossums have a mouth full of sharp teeth, they always appear to be smiling, as though they had just told a joke. I attempted to rescue one that had been struck by a car. Carrying it on my shoulder like a cat, I took it to the local wildlife vet. Unfortunately, its diaphragm had been ruptured, and it could not be saved. (I don't recommend for everyone handling wild creatures in this manner.)

[LivelyLexie]

08:14 AM on 11/07/2011

Sorry he couldn't be saved! But that's fantastic that you tried.

[girldog]

07:06 AM on 10/28/2011

This book sounds wonderful. Sounds like a great Christmas present for my 5 yo niece.