Our bookish friends with a beaver literary bent had some news recently I wanted to share. The first is that Frances Backhouse (They once were hats) recently sent her finished book to the printers and is expecting copies to hit the shelves in May. Here’s what she posted on FB:
My new beaver book for kids is almost ready to head to the printer and I’m getting ever more excited about launching it next spring. The designer at Orca Book Publishers did a fantastic job on the whole book, including this wonderful cover.
Of course Martinez kids and beavers are in it somewhere and I can’t wait to see it in person!
Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers will be published in May 2021.
Written for kids ages 9 to 13, this new book looks at the beaver’s biology and behavior and illuminates its vital role as a keystone species. It’s packed with facts and photos, as well as personal stories about conservationists, scientists and youth who are working to build a better future for our furry friends.
You can sign up for updates by adding your email to the list if you are interested here:
More news on the literary front is that Ben Goldfarb is still hard at work on his new book about road ecology. Recently he one of 8 recipients of the Whiting Grant for Nonfiction writing.
Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant
The Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant of $40,000 is awarded to writers in the process of completing a book of deeply researched and imaginatively composed nonfiction. The Whiting Foundation recognizes that these works are essential to our culture, but come into being at great cost to writers in time and resources. The grant is intended to encourage original and ambitious projects by giving recipients the additional means to do exacting research and devote time to composition.
I’m sure the much needed help with allow him to keep striving in what seems to be a very impressive effort, obviously one now affected by Covid and travel restrictions.
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More recent news from our friends at the Wildlife Trusts in England who managed to add a Beaver gift card added to their roster this year. For five pounds you can see some beavery good cheer to the naturalist in your life, and help a great cause..
Click on the image to send your very own, of course we already know all the reasons why, but the background says:
This charity gift card helps look after habitat for beavers and all their friends. Wildlife is having a hard time in the UK. Habitat loss and climate change are just some of the factors that are making life harder for mammals, birds and insects.
That’s why The Wildlife Trusts are creating and protecting precious habitat and campaigning for nature’s recovery. Our mission is to protect, connect and restore at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
This gift supports our 3030 campaign. All funds raised will go towards supporting Wildlife Trust projects that look after wildlife and wild places in the UK.
Imagine such a thing in America. You really can’t can you, but it will happen someday. Just mark my words.
