Nancy F. Castaldo's Blog, page 11

Creative Science Thinking

I've been thinking a lot about how far science has advanced and changed. My college genetics textbook is in desperate need of a second volume to catch up on all of the latest discoveries.

As students often hear during school visits,  I had to make many revisions of LEAP INTO SPACE as new discoveries were being made during my writing and researching phase and, even into the the proof stage.

Science is always on the move and scientists consistently need to open up their minds to changing the way they look at things. Their curiosity leads the way and they repeatedly pose questions as new ideas evolve.

I've also been thinking about how important this type of thinking --- creative science thinking --- is for everyone, not just scientists. This science-thinking is not the same as the step-by-step procedural methodology used by scientists to work an experiment or test a theory, but combines creativity with critical thinking. It's the way scientists look at life and their overall work.

Whether it is discovering surprising ethnicity through a DNA test, or looking at politics through a different lens, creative science-thinking might be the solution. And teaching students to look at life with curiosity, questions, and an ability to shift viewpoint will not only help them in science, but in life. It will lead to innovative thinking and higher-order cognition.

Perhaps it will also lead to adults who are able to cope more easily with problems and life-changing experiences. This is more and more important in our ever-changing world.

Class debates should not only teach students how to defend their point of view, but also to respect and listen to someone else's point of view. Creative science thinkers might find that they are also open to changing their point of view after delving deeper into the topic.

Scientists do not work in a vacuum. They build on the ideas and work of others. They cannot proceed ahead without looking behind.

Hey, teacher friends - - does this make sense? Is this already being integrated in classes other than science? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I think this type of thinking is even more important in this period of fake news and lying politicians. Critical thinking skills are crucial. What better way to approach the news and life then as a creative science-thinker?

The Terrifying Path To Publication And How It Ends

I've decided to post the keynote address I gave at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference in Los Angeles. I made the decision to post this after reading another wonderful tweet about rejection from Jane Yolen, who I greatly admire. Her tweets inspired much of this talk. 
Presenting this in front of my SCBWI friends and colleagues was an important moment for me after winning the Crystal Kite Award for SNIFFER DOGS: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save The World. 
I've added some of the slides so that you can see it in its entirety. I hope it moves you to think about why you write or gives you insight as to why I write. 


The Terrifying Path To Publication And How It Ends


Good morning!  I want to speak to you today about the terrifying path to publication and how it ends. 
Every time I am fortunate enough to speak to a group of kids   I share with them the way I catch my stories from bits of inspiration gathered from my childhood experiences and my present passions. 



I tell them how reading a story in a local magazine about dogs who were sniffing out the poop of moose in the Adirondacks inspired my book Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs and Their Noses Save The World.  



I talk to them about the dogs I met and photographed, and the adventures I had during my research. 



I tell them how similar my editor is to their teacher and how she helps me craft better sentences and a better story. 


And then, a little like magic, I show them the finished book. 



But I don’t share with them the rocky path that I and my fellow children’s book creators embark on, every time we sit at the keyboard, or the notebook, or the canvas -  the path that leads us to the edge of insecurity and back again. 
We children’s authors and illustrators are a brave lot. We have to strap on our big girl and  big boy pants every time we sit down to work and enter into a world of endless rejection. 
What are we told when we are starting out?  That we have to not only READ but paper our walls with rejection letters. Ugh. We boost each other up at SCBWI meetings after each one is received. “Oh, no worries,” we say, encouragingly , “you are on the right path. The editor or agent wrote a personal note or they asked to see other work. Keep going.” This is the path. We all go through it. 

And when we finally do get something accepted for publication, we still doubt our abilities at every turn. We hand in a completed manuscript or illustration and worry if the editor will like it, even after they have acquired it. We fret and try our best to create other things while we wait for their notes. 
We breath a sigh of relief when they arrive and then begin fretting about the next stage. Will my revision be good enough? 
I remember how comforting it was to hear that the wonderful Queen of Children’s Literature herself  - Jane Yolen - was still receiving rejection letters even after all her awards and published books. We are not alone. It happens to all of us.

Do I tell those beautiful little faces during my school visits that Sniffer Dogs actually came about after two rejections from the same editor? No. 
And every day, I read that I’m not alone in my insecurity and worry. There are many others. 
Matt De La Pena even said in his Newberry Keynote address “This job can be a lonely, lonely ride. And there are moments when it’s nearly impossible to maintain a belief in yourself. Ninety-nine percent of the time the words don’t seem quite good enough. Or the characters don’t seem quite real enough. Or, worst of all, you don’t feel quite talented enough.” 





Carrie Jones, author of many wonderfully received titles, including Captivate, wrote one day on Facebook: “In the writing world, they call these pages - first pass proofs.In the Carrie Jones world, I call them - terrifying but done and on their way back to the publisher.” #timestoppers #amwriting #bloomsbury”




Well known nonfiction author Kelly Milner Halls wrote about an upcoming  title on Facebook, “I've been holding my breath, waiting to see how the reviews would be. Kirkus was very good to me. But now Booklist has been as well. I hope School Library Journal will review it, too. And most of all, I hope kids will like it. But I'm thinking maybe I did a good job. : )”  



Newberry author Linda Sue Park posted back in 2015 - “Yesterday, sent novel manuscript to editor. Today, feeling both lighter & heavier. 


Many SCBWI tribe members struggle to create while working other jobs.  Others wonder if they can make ends meet as full time creators. All the while meeting rejection and insecurity at every turn with the occasional cause for celebration. So, why do we continue? 
“A writer is a writer because even when there is no hope you keep writing anyway”….Junot Diaz 


Lin-Manuel Miranda, the genius behind the Broadway hit, Hamilton,  was quoted in an interview, ”It's the tiniest grain of sand of time that we're allowed on this earth. And what do we leave behind?”
That quote goes hand in hand with a favorite of mine from poet, Mary Oliver, “Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"  


That’s a question we all need to ask ourselves. George Orwell wrote that we write for four basic reasons: sheer egoism, Aesthetic enthusiasm, Historical impulse, and Political purpose. 
That might be so for many authors, but I disagree that these are the complete reasons we children’s writers and illustrators create. We create books for children and by doing so enter into a different mission and purpose.  
As children’s writers and illustrators we do so much.
We all have the power to make a difference in the world – by picking up a pen or a brush we can empower children to see the world differently. 
We can give them hope.  


We can show them how to be kind. 

We can make them comfortable


…and also uncomfortable. 

We can encourage them to follow their dreams 


We can help them act for change. 

We can enliven their curiosity. 

We can give them a voice.  

We can demonstrate perseverance and overcoming obstacles. 

We can even tickle out a smile in an otherwise difficult life. 


And sometimes we are privileged to catch a glimpse of our work out in the world and hear from our readers. 


Those readers are our future. They will become teachers, parents, thinkers, artists, leaders, doctors, engineers, chefs, and inventors. 


Those small moments, those hugs at the end of a presentation, those tiny voices telling you how much they loved your book, those moments can drown all that insecurity and all that worry. It makes it all worthwhile. It’s when we realize what a gift this struggle really is!  And how noble a calling we all have! 
“Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” 


Thank you! 

World Turtle Day!

I have always loved turtles! In fact, I even trained to be a turtle rehabilitator. Have you wondered about the difference between turtles and tortoises? Well, both are reptiles that belong to the order Tesdunes, but they fall into different classification families. A major difference, and easy way to tell them apart, is that turtles live in or near the water and tortoises live on land.

I have swam with sea turtles and walked among giant tortoises, but you don't have to go far to enjoy these special creatures. I bet that you can find some turtles out sunning themselves on a rock in your local pond. Most common of these are painted turtles. They are easy to spot since they live across North America.

If you are itching to know more about turtles, check out these books.  And for a look at sea turtles and giant tortoises read my latest BACK FROM THE BRINK!

Happy World Migratory Bird Day

Katherine Applegate and Author Events

Do you attend author events at your local bookstore? It is such a treat when a local bookstore hosts an author that you greatly admire. It's also a treat when you attend a book event and discover something new. These events not only feed your love of reading, but also support authors and bookstores --- both we need!

Authors are very appreciative of smiling faces in the audience!

I drove to Saratoga Springs, New York to a terrific event hosted by a fave indie bookstore -- Northshire Bookstore. The guest was the wonderful, award-winning Katherine Applegate.

Have you read THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN? Or perhaps CRENSHAW? Or WISHTREE? There are too many terrific books of hers to name, but most likely you have enjoyed one of her titles. Lucky for all of us, another book just released -- ENDLING: The Last. This one sounds amazing and has to do with endangered species in an imaginary world. I can't wait to read my copy!




Author, Steve Sheinkin interviewed Katherine about writing, inspiration, developing worlds, and this new title.  What a treat for the readers, librarians, teachers, and authors in the audience!


That's me on the right with Katherine's latest - ENDLING! 

You can hear Katherine talk about her books at these upcoming events. I hope one is near you! 

Saturday, May 12th – 11 AMWinnetka, IL – The Book StallTuesday, May 15th – 6:30 PMGreenfield, WI – Greenfield Public Librarysponsored by Boswell BooksWednesday, May 16th – 6 PMClackamas, OR – Barnes & NobleWednesday–Friday, June 25–29th – times TBDWinchester, VA – Shenandoah University Children's Literature ConferenceSaveSave
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Happy Birthday, Eugenie Clark!

It's the birthday of shark scientist Eugenie Clark.  She would have turned 96 today and according to biographer, Heather Lang, she probably would have still been scuba diving.





Eugenie was a force of nature and Lang spent time with her when writing her picture book biography, SWIMMING WITH SHARKS.  Lang even tried scuba diving during her research.

Read about this groundbreaking scientist in Lang's biography and in Jess Keating's, SHARK LADY.  Compare and contrast these terrific biographies.






Here are two more books for budding oceanographers! 




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One Day Until BACK FROM THE BRINK Launch

One more day. As I type I hear the Les Miserable music in my head. Tomorrow's celebration is the culmination of years of research and writing, but actually a beginning, because a launch is just that -- the book is beginning its journey into classrooms, libraries, and bookshelves -- into the hands of my readers.



I spoke about the the creation of BACK FROM THE BRINK earlier this month and shared lots of the photos I took during the research phase, but tomorrow I'm going to do something a little different at Oblong Books & Music. I'm going to show behind-the-scenes photos. These aren't the photos you are likely to see in a blog or school visit, although one or two might pop up. These are the photos of the back story. The photos taken during the research, for me only, that show another side of publication, often gritty, fun, and thoughtful.

Oh, like all great book launches there will be yummy treats and also a fun activity. I hope you'll join me on this special #IndieBookstoreDay to celebrate how we can all make a difference for endangered species!
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Happy Birthday, John James Audubon

Anyone who has ever picked up a bird guide certainly knows who John James Audubon is….don't they? Well, they know he stuffed a lot of birds and made beautiful drawings of them, but there is so much more to this great naturalist.   

He loved birds all his life and said,"When I had hardly yet learned to walk, and to articulate those first words always so endearing to parents, the productions of Nature that lay spread all around, were constantly pointed out to me. They soon became my playmates; and before my ideas were sufficiently formed to enable me to estimate the difference between the azure tints of the sky, and the emerald hue of the bright foliage, I felt that an intimacy with them, not consisting of friendship merely, but bordering on frenzy, must accompany my steps through life." 


Jacqueline Davies captures that boy in her book,  The Boy Who Drew Birds , beautifully illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  It's the perfect read to pull out on Audubon's birthday and any other day you'd like to inspire a young person's creativity and love of the outdoors!  

Green Earth Book Award

As a former Green Earth Award recipient, I know what an honor it is to be included on this list. Congratulations to all the book creators on the 2018 list! It is so very important to emphasize environmental literacy. Thanks to The Nature Generation for their efforts each year to promote these terrific books! 


The Nature Generation Announces National Green Earth Book Award WinnersModern day storytellers shed light on complicated environmental issues  April 20, 2018– Arlington, Va. — The Nature Generation, an environmental nonprofit, has announced the winners of its United States’ 2018 Green Earth Book Award.The national award recognizes books that best convey the environmental stewardship message and inspire youth to grow a deeper appreciation, respect, and responsibility for their natural environment.  Winning authors and illustrators in these categories will receive the $1500 award:  Picture Book, Children’s Fiction, Children’s Nonfiction and Young Adult Nonfiction.“These winning and honor books are tools that offer young and old alike a way to bridge the environmental literacy gap,” said Amy Marasco, founder and president of The Nature Generation.  “I encourage schools, librarians, youth groups and families to make these books available and accessible to our youth.”Picture Book Creekfinding: A True Story, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Claudia McGehee(University of Minnesota Press) Ages 4-9.A true story about a man who brought a creek and a whole world of nature back to life after it was long buried under fields of corn. This heartening tale of an ecosystem restored in the Driftless Area of Iowa unfolds in a way that will charm and inform young readers.
Honor Winner:Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story, Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Jessica Lanan(Sleeping Bear Press) Ages 6-9.    Children’s Nonfiction Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem, Patricia NewmanWhy did one inlet grow healthy seagrass while other ones suffered? Sea otters!  With both irresistible otter photos and scientific diagrams, this book explains ecosystems and how its inhabitants affect it at every level.  Explains the often-damaging effect humans have and ways in which young people can help the environment on a daily basis.  (Millbrook Press) Ages 9-14.Honor Winners:The Hidden Life of a Toad, Doug Wechsler  (Charlesbridge) Ages 4-8.This Book Stinks! Gross Garbage, Rotten Rubbish, and the Science of Trash, Sarah Wassner Flynn (National Geographic Kids) Ages 8-12.Children’s FictionForest World, Margarita EngleAward-winning author’s lively novel in verse tells the story of a Cuban-American boy who visits his family’s village in Cuba for the first time. Weaved throughout is the message of importance of biodiversity, and how Cubans are trying to save their own flora and fauna from tourists, poachers, and climate change.  (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) Ages 10-99.Honor Winner:The Last Panther, Todd Mitchell(Delacorte Books for Young Readers) Ages 8-12.Young Adult NonfictionTrashing the Planet: Examining Our Global Garbage Glut, Stuart A. KallenGlobally, humans create around 2.6 trillion pounds of waste every year. What can we do to keep garbage from swallowing up Earth? Reducing, reusing, recycling, and upcycling are some answers. Learn more about the efforts of government, business, research, and youth as they work to solve our planet’s garbage crisis. (Twenty-First Century Books) Ages 10-16. Honor Winner:Geoengineering Earth’s Climate: Resetting the Thermostat, Jennifer Swanson (Twenty-First Century Books) Ages 13-18.

Back From The Brink Book Birthday!

It's here! Today is BACK FROM THE BRINK's book birthday!

As my author friends know, this is a major event. We celebrate milestones in a book's creation. For me, it starts with the acceptance of a proposal from my publisher. The next milestone, for one of my nonfiction books, is the completion of the first draft, followed by a bunch of small milestones that aren't celebrated with the same fervor, but might just be marked by a piece of chocolate or a glass of wine or a walk outdoors. The final milestone is the release of the finished book out into the public -- THE BOOK BIRTHDAY!

As with all books, it takes a village to get to this day. In my case, a fabulous agent named Jennifer Laughran, who I adore, an editor who always seems to get me and what I'm trying to say, named Erica Zappy (Like I say to students during my school visits - she's the one who really helps make my book the best it can be), and countless others along the way including copywriters and book designers, who are invaluable.

Today is THAT special day. BACK FROM THE BRINK is now out in the world and on Saturday I'll be celebrating that birthday at Oblong Books and Music in Rhinebeck, NY with a launch celebration!

I can't wait to see this book out in the wild, in the hands of my readers. If I've succeeded, it will bring them hope and inspire them to care for our planet.




Here is what the reviewers have said (And yes, if you are wondering, waiting for reviews are the hold-your-breath-moments of book creation):

"[Castaldo] offers solid, meaningful suggestions for young readers [...] including many, many learning opportunities: things to watch and read, organizations to investigate, websites and parks to explore. Challenging but important reading for the intended audience."--Kirkus, STARRED review  "An intimate and optimistic look at humans’ ability to protect the planet’s biodiversity."--Publishers Weekly  "Readers will be moved by Castaldo’s appreciation for these animals."--Booklist, STARRED review  "Middle school students will find this a topical, timely affirmation that nurturing the planet’s biodiversity is not a lost cause."--School Library JournalI do hope you enjoy it. Please let me know if you do! Thanks for reading!