Carlie from Liberty, MO asked...
...me to tell her some "fun facts" about myself. Here are five! Thanks for asking, Carlie.
1. My favorite all-time Halloween costume was a Robin costume my mom made for me -- you know, Batman & Robin? My friend Craig was Batman and I was Robin.
2. I used to collect little plastic toys call Rat Finks. They came in gum machines for a quarter.
3. When I was in kindergarten, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said a guardian angel.
4. I once caught 36 toads in a single day so Craig and I could have a toad zoo for the neighborhood kids. Only five kids came, but they were pretty impressed. We let the toads go at the end of the day.
5. My cousin had a monkey when I was little and I thought he was the luckiest boy alive. Now I know it's better not to keep exotic animals as pets, but it was fun then.
...me to tell her some "fun facts" about myself. Here are five! Thanks for asking, Carlie.
1. My favorite all-time Halloween costume was a Robin costume my mom made for me -- you know, Batman & Robin? My friend Craig was Batman and I was Robin.
2. I used to collect little plastic toys call Rat Finks. They came in gum machines for a quarter.
3. When I was in kindergarten, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said a guardian angel.
4. I once caught 36 toads in a single day so Craig and I could have a toad zoo for the neighborhood kids. Only five kids came, but they were pretty impressed. We let the toads go at the end of the day.
5. My cousin had a monkey when I was little and I thought he was the luckiest boy alive. Now I know it's better not to keep exotic animals as pets, but it was fun then.
Rome Corners Intermediate School Q&As, March 2012
Ruth Greiber’s Class Questions
1. If you could only write about one more topic, what topic would you pick? (Marissa Z)
Marissa, I would probably write about my lizard Gigantor if I could only write one more book. But I can write about many things, so the next topics will be ghosts, video games and Mosha, the baby elephant.
2. What was your favorite animal to write about in SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO? (Brooke J)
Brooke, writing the tiger’s story broke my heart, but in a way it was my favorite. It reminds me, every time I think about it, to be careful with my choices. One tiny bad choice can cause terrible things to happen, the same way that soldier’s decision to pet the tiger cost the poor animal its life. We have to really think things through (things like texting while we drive) BEFORE we take action, and that story reminds me of that sad truth.
3. Why do you like your job? (Autumn C)
Autumn, I love my job because it has taught me how to find the answers to all of my questions. And all my life, I have been extremely curious. I also love my job because I get to meet kids like the kids at RCI. Nothing is better than that.
4. Why did you want to study Sasquatch? (Jared)
At first, when I studied the facts for TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, I thought I was going to prove Sasquatch was fake. But when I discovered there was a lot of evidence it MIGHT be real, I had to study more and I had to write IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH.
5. Have you ever seen or caught Sasquatch? (Lauryn B, Katie W, Alyssa M)
I have not seen or caught a Sasquatch – yet. But I would love to see one, up close. I would love to sit quietly and watch one without ever hurting it or scaring it. Maybe someday I’ll get my wish.
6. Have you ever seen an Alien? (Ethan G, Alyssa M)
No, Ethan and Alyssa. I have not seen an Alien or a UFO yet. But my father worked for NASA when I was a kid and I grew up watching rockets fly into space. It makes it easy for me to imagine other worlds flying rockets into space, too. So I wouldn’t be surprised to discover Aliens were real.
7. What is your favorite book that you’ve written? (Trie S, Matthew T, Christian, John S, Jacob O, Sawyer B, Channing)
Hmmm…that is a very hard question to answer. I love all my books, because I only write about things that I love to learn about. I just finished a book called TIGER IN TROUBLE for National Georgraphic, and I really love the animal rescue stories in that little book. And I love TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS and ALBINO ANIMALS an awful lot. But I love all my projects. What is your favorite book I’ve written?
8. How long have you been searching for Sasquatch? (Max D)
Max, I’ve been doing Sasquatch research for more than eight years now.
9. Why did you write a book about the Baghdad Zoo? (Mykala J)
I wrote SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO because when I met Captain William Sumner and he told me about the mission he’d carried out, the mission to save animals endangered by human war, I knew it was a story kids would understand.
10. What was your favorite fact that you learned while researching Bigfoot? (John K)
John, I was pretty excited to discover at least four people say they have seen Bigfoots with albinism. And I love the fact that some scientists think they may have their own language.
11. How long did it take you to write the albino book, because it has a lot of detail? (Logan C)
It took be nearly three years to research and write ALBINO ANIMALS. There were almost no books to use as research guides, so I had to really dig deep to find the facts I needed – and the animals with stories to tell. But once I got deeper into the research, I began to find amazing animals with important things to share with us. I hope someday they will let me write ALBINO ANIMALS, TOO – a sequel to the original so I can share more stories of more beautiful creatures.
12. How many albino animals have you seen? (Comieo C, Teagan H)
I saw all of the animals in the book, through the photographs, of course, and through the eyes of the people who encountered them. But I saw more than a dozen with my own eyes, in person.
13. Do you think Sasquatch is real? (Grayson H, Travis S, Teagan H, Cristian C, Hannah C, Raina K, Sam M, Galia H)
I can’t prove Sasquatch is real. I can’t prove Sasquatch is NOT real. Until I see one myself, Grayson, all I can do is collect evidence and make an educated guess. All I can do is to be a strong, critical thinker and keep asking questions. I am leaning toward thinking something MIGHT be out there. But we’ll have to wait for proof, won’t we?
14. What made you start writing these kinds of books? (Joanna R)
Being a crazy curious kid, asking hundreds of questions about anything I found interesting, made it pretty clear I would make a good nonfiction writer. So that’s why I started. I write weird stuff because those are the subjects I find MOST interesting.
15. Why did you want to be an author? (Braidan B)
Braidan, I wanted to be an author so I could have a shot at talking to almost any expert I ever might want to talk to. I wanted that opportunity because I am so curious and want the chance to find the facts, whenever it’s possible.
16. How many books have you written in a year? (Lexi A)
One year I wrote five books in 12 months. But I usually finish two to three books a year, after researching the topics even longer.
17. What got you interested in Sasquatch? (Sophia C)
Doing research for TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS is what got me interested in Sasquatch.
18. What classification group would dinosaurs be in, or would they be their own group? (Jyotike Ann D)
Dinosaurs are in the kingdom called “Animalia,” and they are classified as Archosauria, which means “ruling lizards.” Archosauria are divided into two orders – Saurischian dinosaurs, which means “lizard-hipped” and Ornithischian, which means “bird-hipped.” Hope that helps.
19. How do you find the color of the dinosaur? (Kaden S.)
There is no accurate way of knowing what color each dinosaur might have been. But the experts use something called comparative anatomy to make smart guesses. They study animals built today, as ancient dinosaurs might have been built millions for years ago. That’s why a lot of modern dinosaur drawings make them the colors of various birds.
20. Why do albino animals have white fur and red eyes? (Aneesa A, Cora B-G, Teagan H)
Animals with albinism have no pigment in their bodies. Since pigment is what determines what color our hair, eyes and skin color will be, any animal without pigment will have no color at all.
21. What inspired you to write about albino animals? (Aneesa A, Chloe K)
I saw a girl at the Denver Zoo. She was a beautiful girl with albinism. That is what inspired me to write the book. I wanted to write something for that girl, and I thought a book about albino animals might be fun for her to read. I thought it might be fun for all kids to read.
22. How did Bill make the sculpture of Sasquatch? (Ashlin V)
Bill Munns studied a prehistoric ape called Gigantopithecus blacki, then he made his model of Sasquatch.
23. How long did it take to make some of your books? (Ashln V, Elizabeth H)
It takes me at least a three years to research and write a book – sometimes longer.
24. Where did you get the pictures for ALBINO ANIMALS? (Ashlin V.)
I got the pictures doing something called “photo research.” It means when you talk to people about what they do or know, you also ask them who took pictures. I also take my own pictures whenever it is possible.
25. Where did you go to get pictures for MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY KIDS?” (Kate van S)
Kate, I did photo research or MUMMY KIDS, too. As I interviewed each mummy expert, I asked them if there were photos available we might use in the book. They were very kind and helped me find them.
26. What is the weirdest albino animal you have ever seen? (John S)
I think the albino lobster may have been the weirdest, and it turned out to be such a great story, too. I’ll pick Lincoln, the lobster today. But ask me tomorrow and my answer might be different.
27. How do you decide what you’re going to write about? (Levi M, Elizabeth H, Galia H)
I pick my book topics based on how interesting they seem to me. I’m an old lady, I know, but I still think a LOT like a kid does. I like most of the things you like. So if something, some topic gives me that excited feeling in my stomach, I start to research it to see if there is enough to make a good book. If there is, I write it. Anything that amazes me could wind up being the subject of a book. This summer, I’m going to see a baby T. rex. That might turn into a book. We’ll see.
28. What inspired you to write ALIEN INVESTIGATION? (Bennett W, Logan A)
I grew up watching all the space missions NASA undertook, and I loved them. I also loved to watch “Star Trek” and “Lost in Space” – old TV shows about space. So I always wondered if there could be life on other planets. I wrote this book to investigate the evidence, and I shared what I discovered with you. I hope you’re curious about those things, too. But I am not afraid. I think it’s exciting, not scary.
29. How many artifacts do you have, in all? (Cora B-G)
I only bring a few items to schools I visit, but I have hundreds of odd artifacts I collect as I research each of my books. My house is like a weird museum.
30. What inspired you to write IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH? (Matt R)
Matt, when I wrote TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, when I did the research for that book, I recognized there was a lot of scientific evidence that Bigfoot might be real. But I didn’t have room to put it all in that book. So I started to wonder if I could write a whole book on Sasquatch. I wondered if kids would like a book about ONE cryptid, instead of many. I took a chance that you might, and I wrote the new book. I think you guys like it. I sure hope so.
31. What inspired you to write stories about animals? (Alyssa M)
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a naturalist. That is a person who studies nature – plants and animals and how they relate to one another. I spent hours and hours just quietly sitting in the woods outside of Houston, Texas watching the world go by. I fell in love with animals that way, and I still love them today. Being a writer is a little like being a naturalist that shares the amazing facts with other people.
32. What made you want to write nonfiction books for kids? Why did you want to be a writer? (Logan A, Caitlin B)
I was such a curious kid growing up, I made my parents and my teachers a little crazy. I’m just as curious now. So writing nonfiction made sense to me. It was a way to use my nature – that curiosity – to make a living. I decided to write for kids because kids are so much fun. You like the strange topics I am curious about as much as I do. And I get all my questions answered – eventually.
33. Are you planning on writing a new book anytime soon? (Kaity K)
Yes. I finished TIGER IN TROUBLE while I was in Wisconsin with you guys. It’s a book of stories about rescuing exotic animals. Nitro the tiger, Ethereal the baby albino bat and a monkey family named Suzie, Caleb and Bob. I will be writing a book on ghosts. I will be writing the history of video games. I will be writing about the baby elephant, Mosha. And I want to write a book about a baby T. rex named Cameron. There are lots of other books in my idea file.
34. Why do you want to write about things people don’t really know about? (Caitlin B)
I like to write about things we don’t know a lot about because discovery makes me so happy. When I research a new topic, it’s like a treasure hunt. I never know what I’m going to find, but when I find something it’s like finding a rare jewel. It’s very exciting, to me. I hope reading what I find is fun for you, too.
35. How hard was it to catch all of the animals from the zoo? (Grace)
Most of the animals in the Baghdad Zoo hadn’t actually escaped their cages. They were starving to death and hadn’t had water for two weeks. The big challenge was bringing them back to health. But after they got the meat eaters healthy, they started to look for animals people had stolen. Most of them were eaten, but some were taken to sell for big money on what they call the “black market.” That means they were sold in secret by dishonest people. The girl veterinarian spoke almost every Arabic language with perfect accents, so she pretended to want to buy animals from the black market sellers. It was very dangerous, but they got some animals back that way. I hope that vet, her name was Farrah, writes her own book someday. I think it would be exciting.
36. How can we save albino animals? (Alex V.)
You can buy some albino animals at pet stores – rabbits, fish, mice, rats, ferrets, sugar gliders, snakes, etc. But you can also collect pennies and donate them to rescue organizations like the Bat World Sanctuary in Texas. They have an albino bat named Ethreal they rescued from a hungry owl one night. Lots of rescue teams have albino animals in their shelters. Even a hundred pennies could help feed and care for those animals, if you ever decide you want to help.
37. Why is Sasquatch doing the same thing in each “real” photo? (Eden S)
If Sasquatch is real, he’s an animal living in the wild just like a deer or a cougar. If the pictures are real, they all look alike because there are only so many things for a Sasquatch to do in the forests they call home. They hunt for food, they rest, they take care of their young. But they are shy. They avoid people. So they are only seen searching for food, in theory. That is why the pictures all look the same – if they are real.
38. Who or what inspired you to write? (Anaka E. O, Olivia K, Samantha K)
My curiosity is my core inspiration. And my 3rd grade teacher Miss Grayson told me I sas a good writer. But my English teacher, Mr. Miller also inspired me by telling me to take journalism in high school. He saw the nonfiction writer in me before I did.
39. What is the weirdest albino animal you’ve ever seen? (Timmy M)
I think the Axolotl salamander is probably the weirdest one I’ve seen so far. I love that guy, don’t you? But I’m always on the lookout for more. And there is another condition called melanistic that is kind of like the opposite of albinism. Melanistic animals have a whole lot of pigment – more than most animals. So they are totally black. I hope I get to write about those animals someday.
40. Why did you want to write books? (Jenna S.)
I wrote articles for about ten years, but they didn’t last very long. So I decided to write books so some of my work would be around for a long time.
41. How long have you been researching aliens and sasquatches? (Teagan H)
I have been researching sasquatches for about eight years now. I have been researching aliens and UFOs for about six years.
42. Have you ever seen footprints of Sasquatch? (Girish R)
I’ve seen many, many photographs of Sasquatch footprints, but I haven’t seen one in the wild yet.
43. How long as Sasquatch existed? (Nikita R)
It’s hard to tell, Nikita, because it hasn’t been proven to be real yet. But if it is real, it’s probably about as old as any of the great apes are – humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos. Scientists who believe in Sasquatch believe it’s a new ape – if it’s real -- and they call it the Great North American Ape.
44. What is the difference between bigfoot and sasquatch? (Charles L)
Sasquatch is a name used by Pacific Northwestern Indian tribes for the creature. “Bigfoot” is a nick name used by people who found the big footprints. But they are the same animals.
45. Is there only one sasquatch? (Charles L)
No. If it’s real, one anthropologist I interviewed said there are probably 2,000 in North American.
46. Can sasquatch change colors? (Charles L)
It’s possible sasquatches change colors to adapt to the seasons like some rabbits do, but probably not. Most forest animals do NOT change colors, so sasquatches are probably like most forest animals.
47. Do you think Sasquatch is all around the world? (Charles L)
Yes. If he is real, he probably migrated all over the world the way dogs and horses did. If he does not exist on some continents and islands like Australia and Hawaii, it’s because it couldn’t walk there.
48. Can Sasquatch adapt to its habitats? (Charles L)
Animals that do not go extinct survive because they can adapt. If Sasquatch is real, it can adapt to changes in habitats as long as they don’t happen too quickly. That isn’t true if there is a cataclysmic disaster, like the meteor that hit Earth and helped wipe out the dinosaurs or nuclear war. If that happens, only a few animals would survive.
49. What happens if Sasquatch is not real? (Kelly W)
If it turns out that Sasquatch isn’t real, we have the ending for a pretty amazing story. But it will be as hard to prove it is NOT real as it has been to prove it IS. It might even be harder.
50. Who is your favorite author? (Lukas V)
My favorite book when I was a kid was CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White. I still love it today. I like young adult literature a lot and an author named Chris Crutcher is my friend and my YA author. But I also like Seymour Simon, Sy Montgomery, James Deem and a whole lot of other nonfiction writers.
51. What inspired you to write about the topics you choose? (Erin W)
Anything that makes me curious or amazes me inspires me to write about it.
52. What got you interested in writing scary tales about mysterious creatures? (Ashley S)
Being a curious human being got me interested in all of my topics.
53. How did the Sasquatch come to life? Was it invented by a scientist or was it a man turned into a Sasquatch? (Ally G)
Ally, I believe in a proven scientific theory called evolution, so I think all life evolved to meet certain environmental needs and conditions over millions and millions of years. Other people believe god created each animal. If Sasquatch is real, one of those two reasons explains its existence. But I do not believe it’s a hairy human. I do not believe it was created by a scientist, either.
54. If you could see Sasquatch, what would you do first? (Vanessa G)
If you see it, you should find an adult to help you decide if it’s safe to hang around. If I saw it, I would sit quietly – very, very quietly – and watch as long as I possibly could. I’d try to memorize everything about it. If I could get to my camera without making too much noise, I’d take pictures. If it came toward me, I’d stay perfectly still so I wouldn’t look dangerous. If it attacked me, I’d scream and make a whole lot of noise and I’d run. But there is ZERO credible evidence it would try to hurt me.
55. How old were you when you started learning about Bigfoot? Who told you about Bigfoot and made you want to learn about him? (Ally P)
I was a little curious about Bigfoot when I was a kid, but I wanted to learn more after I found out about a University of Washington Professor of anthropology named Grover Krantz. He was the first scientist I’d heard of that believed the animal might be real.
56. How do you choose the titles of your books? (Megan D)
I try to come up with short, fun titles that make it easy to figure out what the book is about.
57. How long have you been writing? (Megan D)
I’ve been writing about 20 years.
58. How do you dress when you’re writing? (Megan D)
I usually wear a shirt and a t-shirt when I write (a sweater when it’s cold). But I can wear anything I want because I work at home.
59. Are those real facts in the Sasquatch book? (Megan D)
Megan, they are the most credible pieces of evidence I could find in my research, but I’m not sure we can call them undeniable facts YET. I know the people I interviewed were telling the truth, but I wasn’t there to see what they saw, so I can’t swear they are facts. I can promise I worked hard to find smart, trustworthy people to interview.
60. Do you believe in Aliens or Sasquatch? (Sam M)
I don’t believe 100% because I have not found rock solid proof yet. But I do think there is a good chance both could be real.
61. Out of all the books you have written, which one was your best seller and why? (Camron H)
TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS and ALBINO ANIMALS are my bestselling books, so far. I’m not sure why they are the most popular, but I love them too. You could probably tell me why better than I can tell you.
62. What got your attention to write about Sasquatch? (Harry A)
When I decided to write a book about Cryptozoology, mysterious animals that may or may not exist, Sasquatch was at the top of the list. But I thought he was fake. When I did my homework, I realized, he might be real. THAT really got my attention. He still has my attention. Does he have yours? : )
GREAT QUESTIONS, RCI! You guys ROCK!
Kelly
1. If you could only write about one more topic, what topic would you pick? (Marissa Z)
Marissa, I would probably write about my lizard Gigantor if I could only write one more book. But I can write about many things, so the next topics will be ghosts, video games and Mosha, the baby elephant.
2. What was your favorite animal to write about in SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO? (Brooke J)
Brooke, writing the tiger’s story broke my heart, but in a way it was my favorite. It reminds me, every time I think about it, to be careful with my choices. One tiny bad choice can cause terrible things to happen, the same way that soldier’s decision to pet the tiger cost the poor animal its life. We have to really think things through (things like texting while we drive) BEFORE we take action, and that story reminds me of that sad truth.
3. Why do you like your job? (Autumn C)
Autumn, I love my job because it has taught me how to find the answers to all of my questions. And all my life, I have been extremely curious. I also love my job because I get to meet kids like the kids at RCI. Nothing is better than that.
4. Why did you want to study Sasquatch? (Jared)
At first, when I studied the facts for TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, I thought I was going to prove Sasquatch was fake. But when I discovered there was a lot of evidence it MIGHT be real, I had to study more and I had to write IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH.
5. Have you ever seen or caught Sasquatch? (Lauryn B, Katie W, Alyssa M)
I have not seen or caught a Sasquatch – yet. But I would love to see one, up close. I would love to sit quietly and watch one without ever hurting it or scaring it. Maybe someday I’ll get my wish.
6. Have you ever seen an Alien? (Ethan G, Alyssa M)
No, Ethan and Alyssa. I have not seen an Alien or a UFO yet. But my father worked for NASA when I was a kid and I grew up watching rockets fly into space. It makes it easy for me to imagine other worlds flying rockets into space, too. So I wouldn’t be surprised to discover Aliens were real.
7. What is your favorite book that you’ve written? (Trie S, Matthew T, Christian, John S, Jacob O, Sawyer B, Channing)
Hmmm…that is a very hard question to answer. I love all my books, because I only write about things that I love to learn about. I just finished a book called TIGER IN TROUBLE for National Georgraphic, and I really love the animal rescue stories in that little book. And I love TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS and ALBINO ANIMALS an awful lot. But I love all my projects. What is your favorite book I’ve written?
8. How long have you been searching for Sasquatch? (Max D)
Max, I’ve been doing Sasquatch research for more than eight years now.
9. Why did you write a book about the Baghdad Zoo? (Mykala J)
I wrote SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO because when I met Captain William Sumner and he told me about the mission he’d carried out, the mission to save animals endangered by human war, I knew it was a story kids would understand.
10. What was your favorite fact that you learned while researching Bigfoot? (John K)
John, I was pretty excited to discover at least four people say they have seen Bigfoots with albinism. And I love the fact that some scientists think they may have their own language.
11. How long did it take you to write the albino book, because it has a lot of detail? (Logan C)
It took be nearly three years to research and write ALBINO ANIMALS. There were almost no books to use as research guides, so I had to really dig deep to find the facts I needed – and the animals with stories to tell. But once I got deeper into the research, I began to find amazing animals with important things to share with us. I hope someday they will let me write ALBINO ANIMALS, TOO – a sequel to the original so I can share more stories of more beautiful creatures.
12. How many albino animals have you seen? (Comieo C, Teagan H)
I saw all of the animals in the book, through the photographs, of course, and through the eyes of the people who encountered them. But I saw more than a dozen with my own eyes, in person.
13. Do you think Sasquatch is real? (Grayson H, Travis S, Teagan H, Cristian C, Hannah C, Raina K, Sam M, Galia H)
I can’t prove Sasquatch is real. I can’t prove Sasquatch is NOT real. Until I see one myself, Grayson, all I can do is collect evidence and make an educated guess. All I can do is to be a strong, critical thinker and keep asking questions. I am leaning toward thinking something MIGHT be out there. But we’ll have to wait for proof, won’t we?
14. What made you start writing these kinds of books? (Joanna R)
Being a crazy curious kid, asking hundreds of questions about anything I found interesting, made it pretty clear I would make a good nonfiction writer. So that’s why I started. I write weird stuff because those are the subjects I find MOST interesting.
15. Why did you want to be an author? (Braidan B)
Braidan, I wanted to be an author so I could have a shot at talking to almost any expert I ever might want to talk to. I wanted that opportunity because I am so curious and want the chance to find the facts, whenever it’s possible.
16. How many books have you written in a year? (Lexi A)
One year I wrote five books in 12 months. But I usually finish two to three books a year, after researching the topics even longer.
17. What got you interested in Sasquatch? (Sophia C)
Doing research for TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS is what got me interested in Sasquatch.
18. What classification group would dinosaurs be in, or would they be their own group? (Jyotike Ann D)
Dinosaurs are in the kingdom called “Animalia,” and they are classified as Archosauria, which means “ruling lizards.” Archosauria are divided into two orders – Saurischian dinosaurs, which means “lizard-hipped” and Ornithischian, which means “bird-hipped.” Hope that helps.
19. How do you find the color of the dinosaur? (Kaden S.)
There is no accurate way of knowing what color each dinosaur might have been. But the experts use something called comparative anatomy to make smart guesses. They study animals built today, as ancient dinosaurs might have been built millions for years ago. That’s why a lot of modern dinosaur drawings make them the colors of various birds.
20. Why do albino animals have white fur and red eyes? (Aneesa A, Cora B-G, Teagan H)
Animals with albinism have no pigment in their bodies. Since pigment is what determines what color our hair, eyes and skin color will be, any animal without pigment will have no color at all.
21. What inspired you to write about albino animals? (Aneesa A, Chloe K)
I saw a girl at the Denver Zoo. She was a beautiful girl with albinism. That is what inspired me to write the book. I wanted to write something for that girl, and I thought a book about albino animals might be fun for her to read. I thought it might be fun for all kids to read.
22. How did Bill make the sculpture of Sasquatch? (Ashlin V)
Bill Munns studied a prehistoric ape called Gigantopithecus blacki, then he made his model of Sasquatch.
23. How long did it take to make some of your books? (Ashln V, Elizabeth H)
It takes me at least a three years to research and write a book – sometimes longer.
24. Where did you get the pictures for ALBINO ANIMALS? (Ashlin V.)
I got the pictures doing something called “photo research.” It means when you talk to people about what they do or know, you also ask them who took pictures. I also take my own pictures whenever it is possible.
25. Where did you go to get pictures for MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY KIDS?” (Kate van S)
Kate, I did photo research or MUMMY KIDS, too. As I interviewed each mummy expert, I asked them if there were photos available we might use in the book. They were very kind and helped me find them.
26. What is the weirdest albino animal you have ever seen? (John S)
I think the albino lobster may have been the weirdest, and it turned out to be such a great story, too. I’ll pick Lincoln, the lobster today. But ask me tomorrow and my answer might be different.
27. How do you decide what you’re going to write about? (Levi M, Elizabeth H, Galia H)
I pick my book topics based on how interesting they seem to me. I’m an old lady, I know, but I still think a LOT like a kid does. I like most of the things you like. So if something, some topic gives me that excited feeling in my stomach, I start to research it to see if there is enough to make a good book. If there is, I write it. Anything that amazes me could wind up being the subject of a book. This summer, I’m going to see a baby T. rex. That might turn into a book. We’ll see.
28. What inspired you to write ALIEN INVESTIGATION? (Bennett W, Logan A)
I grew up watching all the space missions NASA undertook, and I loved them. I also loved to watch “Star Trek” and “Lost in Space” – old TV shows about space. So I always wondered if there could be life on other planets. I wrote this book to investigate the evidence, and I shared what I discovered with you. I hope you’re curious about those things, too. But I am not afraid. I think it’s exciting, not scary.
29. How many artifacts do you have, in all? (Cora B-G)
I only bring a few items to schools I visit, but I have hundreds of odd artifacts I collect as I research each of my books. My house is like a weird museum.
30. What inspired you to write IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH? (Matt R)
Matt, when I wrote TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, when I did the research for that book, I recognized there was a lot of scientific evidence that Bigfoot might be real. But I didn’t have room to put it all in that book. So I started to wonder if I could write a whole book on Sasquatch. I wondered if kids would like a book about ONE cryptid, instead of many. I took a chance that you might, and I wrote the new book. I think you guys like it. I sure hope so.
31. What inspired you to write stories about animals? (Alyssa M)
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a naturalist. That is a person who studies nature – plants and animals and how they relate to one another. I spent hours and hours just quietly sitting in the woods outside of Houston, Texas watching the world go by. I fell in love with animals that way, and I still love them today. Being a writer is a little like being a naturalist that shares the amazing facts with other people.
32. What made you want to write nonfiction books for kids? Why did you want to be a writer? (Logan A, Caitlin B)
I was such a curious kid growing up, I made my parents and my teachers a little crazy. I’m just as curious now. So writing nonfiction made sense to me. It was a way to use my nature – that curiosity – to make a living. I decided to write for kids because kids are so much fun. You like the strange topics I am curious about as much as I do. And I get all my questions answered – eventually.
33. Are you planning on writing a new book anytime soon? (Kaity K)
Yes. I finished TIGER IN TROUBLE while I was in Wisconsin with you guys. It’s a book of stories about rescuing exotic animals. Nitro the tiger, Ethereal the baby albino bat and a monkey family named Suzie, Caleb and Bob. I will be writing a book on ghosts. I will be writing the history of video games. I will be writing about the baby elephant, Mosha. And I want to write a book about a baby T. rex named Cameron. There are lots of other books in my idea file.
34. Why do you want to write about things people don’t really know about? (Caitlin B)
I like to write about things we don’t know a lot about because discovery makes me so happy. When I research a new topic, it’s like a treasure hunt. I never know what I’m going to find, but when I find something it’s like finding a rare jewel. It’s very exciting, to me. I hope reading what I find is fun for you, too.
35. How hard was it to catch all of the animals from the zoo? (Grace)
Most of the animals in the Baghdad Zoo hadn’t actually escaped their cages. They were starving to death and hadn’t had water for two weeks. The big challenge was bringing them back to health. But after they got the meat eaters healthy, they started to look for animals people had stolen. Most of them were eaten, but some were taken to sell for big money on what they call the “black market.” That means they were sold in secret by dishonest people. The girl veterinarian spoke almost every Arabic language with perfect accents, so she pretended to want to buy animals from the black market sellers. It was very dangerous, but they got some animals back that way. I hope that vet, her name was Farrah, writes her own book someday. I think it would be exciting.
36. How can we save albino animals? (Alex V.)
You can buy some albino animals at pet stores – rabbits, fish, mice, rats, ferrets, sugar gliders, snakes, etc. But you can also collect pennies and donate them to rescue organizations like the Bat World Sanctuary in Texas. They have an albino bat named Ethreal they rescued from a hungry owl one night. Lots of rescue teams have albino animals in their shelters. Even a hundred pennies could help feed and care for those animals, if you ever decide you want to help.
37. Why is Sasquatch doing the same thing in each “real” photo? (Eden S)
If Sasquatch is real, he’s an animal living in the wild just like a deer or a cougar. If the pictures are real, they all look alike because there are only so many things for a Sasquatch to do in the forests they call home. They hunt for food, they rest, they take care of their young. But they are shy. They avoid people. So they are only seen searching for food, in theory. That is why the pictures all look the same – if they are real.
38. Who or what inspired you to write? (Anaka E. O, Olivia K, Samantha K)
My curiosity is my core inspiration. And my 3rd grade teacher Miss Grayson told me I sas a good writer. But my English teacher, Mr. Miller also inspired me by telling me to take journalism in high school. He saw the nonfiction writer in me before I did.
39. What is the weirdest albino animal you’ve ever seen? (Timmy M)
I think the Axolotl salamander is probably the weirdest one I’ve seen so far. I love that guy, don’t you? But I’m always on the lookout for more. And there is another condition called melanistic that is kind of like the opposite of albinism. Melanistic animals have a whole lot of pigment – more than most animals. So they are totally black. I hope I get to write about those animals someday.
40. Why did you want to write books? (Jenna S.)
I wrote articles for about ten years, but they didn’t last very long. So I decided to write books so some of my work would be around for a long time.
41. How long have you been researching aliens and sasquatches? (Teagan H)
I have been researching sasquatches for about eight years now. I have been researching aliens and UFOs for about six years.
42. Have you ever seen footprints of Sasquatch? (Girish R)
I’ve seen many, many photographs of Sasquatch footprints, but I haven’t seen one in the wild yet.
43. How long as Sasquatch existed? (Nikita R)
It’s hard to tell, Nikita, because it hasn’t been proven to be real yet. But if it is real, it’s probably about as old as any of the great apes are – humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos. Scientists who believe in Sasquatch believe it’s a new ape – if it’s real -- and they call it the Great North American Ape.
44. What is the difference between bigfoot and sasquatch? (Charles L)
Sasquatch is a name used by Pacific Northwestern Indian tribes for the creature. “Bigfoot” is a nick name used by people who found the big footprints. But they are the same animals.
45. Is there only one sasquatch? (Charles L)
No. If it’s real, one anthropologist I interviewed said there are probably 2,000 in North American.
46. Can sasquatch change colors? (Charles L)
It’s possible sasquatches change colors to adapt to the seasons like some rabbits do, but probably not. Most forest animals do NOT change colors, so sasquatches are probably like most forest animals.
47. Do you think Sasquatch is all around the world? (Charles L)
Yes. If he is real, he probably migrated all over the world the way dogs and horses did. If he does not exist on some continents and islands like Australia and Hawaii, it’s because it couldn’t walk there.
48. Can Sasquatch adapt to its habitats? (Charles L)
Animals that do not go extinct survive because they can adapt. If Sasquatch is real, it can adapt to changes in habitats as long as they don’t happen too quickly. That isn’t true if there is a cataclysmic disaster, like the meteor that hit Earth and helped wipe out the dinosaurs or nuclear war. If that happens, only a few animals would survive.
49. What happens if Sasquatch is not real? (Kelly W)
If it turns out that Sasquatch isn’t real, we have the ending for a pretty amazing story. But it will be as hard to prove it is NOT real as it has been to prove it IS. It might even be harder.
50. Who is your favorite author? (Lukas V)
My favorite book when I was a kid was CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White. I still love it today. I like young adult literature a lot and an author named Chris Crutcher is my friend and my YA author. But I also like Seymour Simon, Sy Montgomery, James Deem and a whole lot of other nonfiction writers.
51. What inspired you to write about the topics you choose? (Erin W)
Anything that makes me curious or amazes me inspires me to write about it.
52. What got you interested in writing scary tales about mysterious creatures? (Ashley S)
Being a curious human being got me interested in all of my topics.
53. How did the Sasquatch come to life? Was it invented by a scientist or was it a man turned into a Sasquatch? (Ally G)
Ally, I believe in a proven scientific theory called evolution, so I think all life evolved to meet certain environmental needs and conditions over millions and millions of years. Other people believe god created each animal. If Sasquatch is real, one of those two reasons explains its existence. But I do not believe it’s a hairy human. I do not believe it was created by a scientist, either.
54. If you could see Sasquatch, what would you do first? (Vanessa G)
If you see it, you should find an adult to help you decide if it’s safe to hang around. If I saw it, I would sit quietly – very, very quietly – and watch as long as I possibly could. I’d try to memorize everything about it. If I could get to my camera without making too much noise, I’d take pictures. If it came toward me, I’d stay perfectly still so I wouldn’t look dangerous. If it attacked me, I’d scream and make a whole lot of noise and I’d run. But there is ZERO credible evidence it would try to hurt me.
55. How old were you when you started learning about Bigfoot? Who told you about Bigfoot and made you want to learn about him? (Ally P)
I was a little curious about Bigfoot when I was a kid, but I wanted to learn more after I found out about a University of Washington Professor of anthropology named Grover Krantz. He was the first scientist I’d heard of that believed the animal might be real.
56. How do you choose the titles of your books? (Megan D)
I try to come up with short, fun titles that make it easy to figure out what the book is about.
57. How long have you been writing? (Megan D)
I’ve been writing about 20 years.
58. How do you dress when you’re writing? (Megan D)
I usually wear a shirt and a t-shirt when I write (a sweater when it’s cold). But I can wear anything I want because I work at home.
59. Are those real facts in the Sasquatch book? (Megan D)
Megan, they are the most credible pieces of evidence I could find in my research, but I’m not sure we can call them undeniable facts YET. I know the people I interviewed were telling the truth, but I wasn’t there to see what they saw, so I can’t swear they are facts. I can promise I worked hard to find smart, trustworthy people to interview.
60. Do you believe in Aliens or Sasquatch? (Sam M)
I don’t believe 100% because I have not found rock solid proof yet. But I do think there is a good chance both could be real.
61. Out of all the books you have written, which one was your best seller and why? (Camron H)
TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS and ALBINO ANIMALS are my bestselling books, so far. I’m not sure why they are the most popular, but I love them too. You could probably tell me why better than I can tell you.
62. What got your attention to write about Sasquatch? (Harry A)
When I decided to write a book about Cryptozoology, mysterious animals that may or may not exist, Sasquatch was at the top of the list. But I thought he was fake. When I did my homework, I realized, he might be real. THAT really got my attention. He still has my attention. Does he have yours? : )
GREAT QUESTIONS, RCI! You guys ROCK!
Kelly
St. Joe's Q&A -- February 24, 2012
On February 24, I shared the afternoon with the students at St. Joe's Catholic School in Kennewick, WA. They wrote me some amazing questions, but we ran out of time before I could answer them. So here are the answers now!
Thank you, students of St. Joe's. You're terrific!
Do you like writing books and exploring?
Logan, Grade 5
Jared, Grade 2
Yes, Logan, I love writing books and exploring the facts that make that possible. Writing is a little different from homework because I pick my topics based on what makes me curious. Your homework is tied to what teachers are required to teach you in school. If you ever write books, you’ll explore the subjects that excite you, too. And that’s always fun!
Why do you like to write books?
Jacob, Grade 4
I like writing nonfiction books because I get answers to all the questions I have about one subject when I write a book. And I hope I gather answers for you, too. Part of my job is to imagine the questions you might ask, if you were sitting beside me as I talk to scientists or explorers. I hope I do a good job with that, too.
Why do you believe in Cryptids?
Josh, Grade 4
Anessa, Grade 4
I don’t believe in ALL cryptids, Josh. I believe in the cryptids proven to be real. I wonder about the cryptids with strong evidence that they MAY exist. And I doubt the cryptids with very little reliable evidence. I love all cryptids because I love animals so much. More animals – especially rare or surprising animals like Sasquatch or the Loch Ness creature – would be a good thing, to me.
When and why did you start writing children’s books?
Caleb, Grade 5
I started writing books for kids in the late 1990s because I’d written so many articles for children’s magazines and newspaper sections I wanted to try something new. I also wanted to write something that would last a little longer and books can last a very long time. I wrote children’s books because you like the topics I find the most interesting.
Have you seen Bigfoot?
Paddy, Grade 3
I have not seen Bigfoot – YET. But I am hoping to someday see one so I can feel certain they are real. I think there is a lot of interesting evidence now that it MIGHT be real. But until I see one, I won’t be sure.
Why did you write a book about cryptids?
Michaela, Grade 4
I wrote a book about cryptids because I have always loved them, since I was a kid about your age. But when I was a kid, there were no books about these mysterious creatures. I wrote one because I would have loved it when I was your age.
What is the most amazing fact you’ve ever discovered?
Andrea, Grade 4
Wow…picking ONE fact out of the thousands I’ve discovered is hard. I think the fact that fossilized lightning (fulgurite) has been discovered is one of them. Be sure to look that up to see a picture. That’s one thing that amazes me. But there are so many, it’s hard to choose just one.
Which is your favorite book?
Emily, Grade 3
My books are a little like my children, Emily. I love them all. But TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS is probably my favorite. HATCHLINGS: LIFE SIZE BABY DINOSAURS may be my new favorite once it comes out in April of 2012.
What was your favorite book to write?
Hannah, Grade 5
For some reason, ALIEN INVESTIGATION wound up being one of my favorite books to write. I loved old science fiction TV shows about space – shows like Star Trek and Lost in Space – when I was a little girl. So being able to talk to scientists about what might be possible was pretty great.
How do you get your pictures?
A.J., Grade 3
JR, Grade 5
A.J. I take a few of the pictures that appear in my books, but most of them I gather from the experts I talk to in interviews to research the books. It’s part of my job to ask about pictures as I gather the facts and I try to do a good job.
Did you ever dig for mummies?
Grace, Grade 4
Grace, I have helped to dig for a T. rex, but I have not yet been on an archaeological dig for mummies. I hope, someday, I’ll be able to experience it myself. I think it would be amazing. I have seen a lot of mummies in museums, though.
What is the scariest fact you’ve ever heard?
Meredeth, Grade 4
Meredeth, I’m hardly ever scared by the facts. But if I had to pick one, it’s the fact that so much arctic ice is melting, we may lose polar bears to extinction. That fact scares me a lot because I love polar bears.
What is your favorite cryptids?
Cole, Grade Unknown
Cole, I love the Altamaha-ha (Altie) – the river monster from Georgia. There is one eye witness account of a mother Altie teaching her baby Altie how to catch shrimp and crabs in an estuary (a place where the river meets the ocean) and that picture in my mind made me fall in love with that cryptid. When I write IN SEARCH OF SEA MONSTERS, I’ll go to Georgia to search for her. We’ll see how that turns out.
Are there more cryptids than those covered in TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS?
Galvin, Grade Unknown
YES! There are many more cryptids than those listed in the book. I hope someday I’ll be able to write TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, TWO so we can explore a few more together. Think that would be a good idea?
What do you like writing about most?
Peyton, Grade 5
Everything. : ) Okay, that’s not accurate. But I like writing about so many things, it’s hard to pick one. I do a lot of writing about animals, so maybe that’s a good answer. But I used to write a LOT about sports, too, because I love sports so much. Anything that captures my imagination is fun to write about.
Is it hard to be an author?
Bella, Grade 3
Bella, doing anything WELL can be hard. You have to work at it to be good. Practice. Practice. Practice. But some hard things are worth doing. I have to work hard to be an author, but because I love it so much, my work almost feels like play. I’m very lucky to have the job I have.
How and where to you get all these dinosaur fossils to show us?
Reegan, Grade 5
Reegan, my friend and illustrator Rick Spears works at a museum in Georgia. He sent me a lot of my fossils and fossil replicas and I’m so grateful to him for being so nice. I buy others through reliable sources, like the Prehistoric Planet Store (http://www.prehistoricstore.com/) and from paleontologists I know and trust. But I usually buy replicas because I think the scientists should keep the REAL fossils so they can share the facts with the whole world.
When and where do you get your ideas for a new book?
Nick, Grade 5
Nick anything that makes me think, “HUH????” could wind up being a book someday. I get this excited feeling in my stomach and my heart beats a little faster when I find a subject that might make a good book for kids. It’s great. Some people call that inspiration. : )
How did you discover Sasquatch was real?
Melody, Grade 3
Melody, I did not prove he was real. Until we catch a Sasquatch or kill one, we won’t be able to prove its real. I hope we never kill one, and I hope if we catch it, we swiftly let it go (like those lizards I used to catch). In my book IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH, I told the story of people who do believe it’s real, and I shared the evidence that has them convinced. But I haven’t proven it yet. If it is proved, someone else will prove it. But I will write about it and I will let you know!
How do you feel when you write a book?
Ryan, Grade 4
I feel excited, then just a little bit nervous. I want so much to write books people like you will love to read, I’m always a little nervous until I get to do school visits to see whether or not you do like it. I know not every kid will like my books. And that’s okay. There are thousands of books just so each reader will find something perfect for them. But I am so glad SOME kids love my books. That’s why I write.
What or who inspired you to write?
Jeaziree, Grade 5
Natalie, Grade 4
The natural world – all of the miracles and wonders of it – is my greatest inspiration. I almost never came inside when I was little, I was so amazed by the things I saw just hanging around outside. I still feel that way now, but I have to be inside to write MOST of the time. : )
Why are you a writer?
Kaden, Grade 3
Kaden, what a thoughtful question; I’m a writer because it is the thing I do BEST. I believe we are all given talents – things we do well – and it’s up to us to discover and recognize what they are. I used to be good at sports, so I might have been a PE teacher. But I’m better at writing nonfiction, so I write.
Thank you, students of St. Joe's. You're terrific!
Do you like writing books and exploring?
Logan, Grade 5
Jared, Grade 2
Yes, Logan, I love writing books and exploring the facts that make that possible. Writing is a little different from homework because I pick my topics based on what makes me curious. Your homework is tied to what teachers are required to teach you in school. If you ever write books, you’ll explore the subjects that excite you, too. And that’s always fun!
Why do you like to write books?
Jacob, Grade 4
I like writing nonfiction books because I get answers to all the questions I have about one subject when I write a book. And I hope I gather answers for you, too. Part of my job is to imagine the questions you might ask, if you were sitting beside me as I talk to scientists or explorers. I hope I do a good job with that, too.
Why do you believe in Cryptids?
Josh, Grade 4
Anessa, Grade 4
I don’t believe in ALL cryptids, Josh. I believe in the cryptids proven to be real. I wonder about the cryptids with strong evidence that they MAY exist. And I doubt the cryptids with very little reliable evidence. I love all cryptids because I love animals so much. More animals – especially rare or surprising animals like Sasquatch or the Loch Ness creature – would be a good thing, to me.
When and why did you start writing children’s books?
Caleb, Grade 5
I started writing books for kids in the late 1990s because I’d written so many articles for children’s magazines and newspaper sections I wanted to try something new. I also wanted to write something that would last a little longer and books can last a very long time. I wrote children’s books because you like the topics I find the most interesting.
Have you seen Bigfoot?
Paddy, Grade 3
I have not seen Bigfoot – YET. But I am hoping to someday see one so I can feel certain they are real. I think there is a lot of interesting evidence now that it MIGHT be real. But until I see one, I won’t be sure.
Why did you write a book about cryptids?
Michaela, Grade 4
I wrote a book about cryptids because I have always loved them, since I was a kid about your age. But when I was a kid, there were no books about these mysterious creatures. I wrote one because I would have loved it when I was your age.
What is the most amazing fact you’ve ever discovered?
Andrea, Grade 4
Wow…picking ONE fact out of the thousands I’ve discovered is hard. I think the fact that fossilized lightning (fulgurite) has been discovered is one of them. Be sure to look that up to see a picture. That’s one thing that amazes me. But there are so many, it’s hard to choose just one.
Which is your favorite book?
Emily, Grade 3
My books are a little like my children, Emily. I love them all. But TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS is probably my favorite. HATCHLINGS: LIFE SIZE BABY DINOSAURS may be my new favorite once it comes out in April of 2012.
What was your favorite book to write?
Hannah, Grade 5
For some reason, ALIEN INVESTIGATION wound up being one of my favorite books to write. I loved old science fiction TV shows about space – shows like Star Trek and Lost in Space – when I was a little girl. So being able to talk to scientists about what might be possible was pretty great.
How do you get your pictures?
A.J., Grade 3
JR, Grade 5
A.J. I take a few of the pictures that appear in my books, but most of them I gather from the experts I talk to in interviews to research the books. It’s part of my job to ask about pictures as I gather the facts and I try to do a good job.
Did you ever dig for mummies?
Grace, Grade 4
Grace, I have helped to dig for a T. rex, but I have not yet been on an archaeological dig for mummies. I hope, someday, I’ll be able to experience it myself. I think it would be amazing. I have seen a lot of mummies in museums, though.
What is the scariest fact you’ve ever heard?
Meredeth, Grade 4
Meredeth, I’m hardly ever scared by the facts. But if I had to pick one, it’s the fact that so much arctic ice is melting, we may lose polar bears to extinction. That fact scares me a lot because I love polar bears.
What is your favorite cryptids?
Cole, Grade Unknown
Cole, I love the Altamaha-ha (Altie) – the river monster from Georgia. There is one eye witness account of a mother Altie teaching her baby Altie how to catch shrimp and crabs in an estuary (a place where the river meets the ocean) and that picture in my mind made me fall in love with that cryptid. When I write IN SEARCH OF SEA MONSTERS, I’ll go to Georgia to search for her. We’ll see how that turns out.
Are there more cryptids than those covered in TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS?
Galvin, Grade Unknown
YES! There are many more cryptids than those listed in the book. I hope someday I’ll be able to write TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, TWO so we can explore a few more together. Think that would be a good idea?
What do you like writing about most?
Peyton, Grade 5
Everything. : ) Okay, that’s not accurate. But I like writing about so many things, it’s hard to pick one. I do a lot of writing about animals, so maybe that’s a good answer. But I used to write a LOT about sports, too, because I love sports so much. Anything that captures my imagination is fun to write about.
Is it hard to be an author?
Bella, Grade 3
Bella, doing anything WELL can be hard. You have to work at it to be good. Practice. Practice. Practice. But some hard things are worth doing. I have to work hard to be an author, but because I love it so much, my work almost feels like play. I’m very lucky to have the job I have.
How and where to you get all these dinosaur fossils to show us?
Reegan, Grade 5
Reegan, my friend and illustrator Rick Spears works at a museum in Georgia. He sent me a lot of my fossils and fossil replicas and I’m so grateful to him for being so nice. I buy others through reliable sources, like the Prehistoric Planet Store (http://www.prehistoricstore.com/) and from paleontologists I know and trust. But I usually buy replicas because I think the scientists should keep the REAL fossils so they can share the facts with the whole world.
When and where do you get your ideas for a new book?
Nick, Grade 5
Nick anything that makes me think, “HUH????” could wind up being a book someday. I get this excited feeling in my stomach and my heart beats a little faster when I find a subject that might make a good book for kids. It’s great. Some people call that inspiration. : )
How did you discover Sasquatch was real?
Melody, Grade 3
Melody, I did not prove he was real. Until we catch a Sasquatch or kill one, we won’t be able to prove its real. I hope we never kill one, and I hope if we catch it, we swiftly let it go (like those lizards I used to catch). In my book IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH, I told the story of people who do believe it’s real, and I shared the evidence that has them convinced. But I haven’t proven it yet. If it is proved, someone else will prove it. But I will write about it and I will let you know!
How do you feel when you write a book?
Ryan, Grade 4
I feel excited, then just a little bit nervous. I want so much to write books people like you will love to read, I’m always a little nervous until I get to do school visits to see whether or not you do like it. I know not every kid will like my books. And that’s okay. There are thousands of books just so each reader will find something perfect for them. But I am so glad SOME kids love my books. That’s why I write.
What or who inspired you to write?
Jeaziree, Grade 5
Natalie, Grade 4
The natural world – all of the miracles and wonders of it – is my greatest inspiration. I almost never came inside when I was little, I was so amazed by the things I saw just hanging around outside. I still feel that way now, but I have to be inside to write MOST of the time. : )
Why are you a writer?
Kaden, Grade 3
Kaden, what a thoughtful question; I’m a writer because it is the thing I do BEST. I believe we are all given talents – things we do well – and it’s up to us to discover and recognize what they are. I used to be good at sports, so I might have been a PE teacher. But I’m better at writing nonfiction, so I write.
Lidgerwood Elementary 2nd Graders/May 2011
EWU student teacher Andrea McClanahan (working in Ms. Germack's class) sent me these questions from her second graders. I was very happy to answer them to the best of my ability.
Does your class have questions, too? Send them to me! I'll do my best to answer.
Kelly
C., L., and M.
1. Have you found a fossil in Spokane?
Fossils have been found in Spokane including plants and trilobites (sea creatures that went extinct 250 million years ago). But Spokane was under water during most of the dinosaur days (see map of the Jurassic world above). Other prehistoric ocean states have found dinosaurs that fell into the oceans. But after our watery days, we had volcanic days. Deep layers of hardened lava called basalt cover big parts of Spokane, so if there are dinosaurs under there, we may never find them. Basalt is so hard and so deep, it's hard to dig underneath it. We can hope, though.
2. What's your favorite dinosaur?
My favorite plant eater is the Parasaurolophus, a duckbill dinosaur with a trumpeting crest on its head.
My favorite meat eater -- all the dinosaurs in the raptor family including Velociraptor.
3. What is your favorite museum?
It's probably a tie between the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, Canada. Both have amazing dinosaur exhibits and I love dinosaurs.
M., C. & C.
1. What is our favorite dinosaur?
My favorite plant eater is the Parasaurolophus, a duckbill dinosaur with a trumpeting crest on its head.
My favorite meat eater -- all the dinosaurs in the raptor family including Velociraptor.
2. What is your first book?
My first book was called DINO TREKKING and it listed where you could see fossils all over the country. I was published again as the Dinosaur Travel Guide.
3. What is your favorite meat eater?
See above. : )
V., I. & M.
1. What is your favorite color? RED. I love red.
2. What is your favorite dinosaur?
My favorite plant eater is the Parasaurolophus, a duckbill dinosaur with a trumpeting crest on its head.
My favorite meat eater -- all the dinosaurs in the raptor family including Velociraptor.
3. What is your favorite book?
I loved CHARLOTTE'S WEB when I was a kid and I still love it now.
D., A. & R.
1. Are you a paleontologist?
No, I'm not. But I am lucky enough to know a whole LOT of paleontologists and they have taught me a lot about dinosaurs.
2. What's your favorite color? Still RED. : )
3. Do you like to go to the museum?
I love going to the museum. I like natural history museums best, but I like other kinds of museums, too.
A. & D.
1. Which book is your favorite?
I love all the books I've written so it's hard to pick a favorite. But I just finished writing a new book called HATCHLINGS: A LIFE SIZE LOOK AT BABY DINOSAURS and you're the first to hear about it. Kinda love that one right now.
2. Have you ever been to a museum?
I travel a lot and the one place I love to visit in any town is their natural history museum. LOVE museums.
3. Have you been to Arizona?
Yes, I have been to Arizona to speak at a special event called DINO-FEST. And I've been a few other times, as well. Great state. Lots of dinosaurs!
N. & B.J.
1. Have you found a gizzard stone?
I have not, but many paleontologists have, especially in sauropod or long neck dinosaur stomachs. They ate rocks to help them grind up their food. Chickens do the same thing, now. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
2. What is your favorite color? Still RED. Yup.
M., G. & R.
1. How long have you been writing books?
My first book came out in 1996. Before that, I wrote articles for kid's magazines -- more than 1,500 of them.
2. Have you put bones in a museum?
If I ever found a great fossil, I would put it in a museum so everyone could enjoy it, instead of just me. I did help dig up a T. rex once. It's in a museum in Wisconsin now.
3. Have paleontologists found Allosaurus?
Yes. It's a smaller cousin to T. rex.
J., A. & R.
1. Is your favorite dinosaur Ankylosaurus?
No, but it is one of my very favorites. I have a real affection for those armored dinosaurs with club tails. So great, aren't they?
2. What do you like to do when you're not writing books?
I like to paint, and take photographs and explore interesting places. I used to ski and play tennis, but I have a hurt knee, so I can't do those sports anymore.
3. What is your favorite book to read?
I don't have much time to read for fun because I'm always reading for my next books. Right now I'm reading books about video games because I want to write a book for kids about the history of video games.
And yes...I'm learning to like spiders, too!
