A Tale of Two Krill
A unique children's book proposes to link two pelagic oceanic ecosystems; a coastal upwelling biome in the southern sector of the california current and one of the world's most extreme environments the polar waters west of the antarctic peninsula. These two ecosystems provide an ideal setting to investigate wildlife across the earth's largest oceanic environment the pacific ocean.
This book invites young readers (ages 5-10) to explore ecological concepts relevant to ocean ecosystems both locally and internationally. It will examine two of the most abundant species of krill Euphausia pacifica and Euphausia superba in the unusual life challenges they face being inextricably linked to their respective environments. The exploration of the animals they impact, their lives, habitats and survival strategies holds inherent fascination for young readers and teaches them about the interconnectedness of all things. Drawing upon rich scientific research from CCE and Palmer LTER, photographs and illustrations will combine to decorate the dynamics of the pacific pelagic food web above and below the equator emphasizing the impact of the foundation species 'krill'.
A children's book emphasizing the long-term processes of science is a unique medium
to share the elements of ecological research. Research for the book is a multi-step
process involving the identification of resources and themes, input from scientists,
coordination of materials and extensive collaboration between participants. Our
own education coordinator Beth Simmons is coordinating the efforts bringing together
Mary M. Cerullo - an award-winning author of over a dozen children's books for kids
and freelance illustrator Kirsten Carlsen who combines science, art and design to
communicate stories about the natural world. This children's book is a cross-site
synthesis project advancing ocean literacy and marine science education.
Other books in the childrens book series
My Water Comes From The Mountains
The story of My Water Comes from the Rocky Mountains,
written by environmental educator Tiffany Fourment, takes children on
an illustrative journey from the snow high on the Continental Divide
to water in their faucet tap. The book is illustrated by Dorothy
Emerling and was edited from the first edition by Lindsay Weber and
Kenneth Nova. This educational narrative introduces children in the
Rocky Mountain states to the distinctive wildlife, ecosystems, and
diverse uses of water along the way from the mountains to the plains.
The Lost Seal
The Lost Seal children's story, written by Antarctic scientist
Diane McKnight, describes the first documented encounter with a live
seal in the remote McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. This educational
story tells of one seal's travels in the Antarctic desert and provides
an engaging framework for conveying how different Antarctica and the
Dry Valleys are from the environments with which children are familiar.