All over the world, in all kinds of habitats, mothers bring forth new life. For many animals, such as reptiles and amphibians, mothering responsibilities end before the babies are even born. But mammal babies need their mothers — they need to be nurtured and nourished long enough to learn how to survive on their own. Mammal mothers feed, protect, and teach their young, even though these tasks can challenge their own needs for survival. But a mammal baby’s journey to maturity varies dramatically depending on whether it is a bear or a bat, a shrew or a seal, a hippopotamus or a human. Filled with life-like animal paintings and sketches, this fascinating look at life cycles portrays the normalcy of birth and breastfeeding and explores how mothers help fourteen different mammals navigate the path from helpless infants to self-sufficient adults. This title has earned “NSTA Recommends” and won Creative Child Magazine’s Book of the Year Award, Tillywig Toy Awards’ Brain Child Award, and a Young Voices Foundation Seal of Approval.
About the Author: Dia L. Michels Translator: The Spanish Group
Dia L. Michels is the founder and president of two independent presses in Washington, DC. The first is Science Naturally, committed to increasing science and math literacy by exploring and demystifying these topics in entertaining and enlightening ways. The other is Platypus Media, whose goal is to create and distribute materials that promote family life by educating grown-ups about infant development and by teaching children about the world around them. Dia is also an award-winning science writer who has written or edited over a dozen books for adults and children. Her titles include Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado, If My Mom Were a Platypus: Mammal Babies and Their Mothers, and 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science. She teaches family science classes at children’s and science museums around the US. She has spoken at national and international conferences for such groups as American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Association of Biology Teachers, La Leche League International, Smithsonian Institution, and the Museum of Science. Dia is a mother of three grown children. She lives in Washington, DC and can be reached at Dia@ScienceNaturally.com.
QUOTES: “I am blown away by this book! This is one of the most engaging nonfiction books I have ever read. It correlates so well with our science curriculum and the Common Core State Standards. The Activity Guide and Hands-On Demonstrations are so teacher friendly. I cannot say enough positive things about this material!” —Sonya Smith, Science Coordinator, ATOMS2XP and IMPACT2, Miss. State, MS “If My Mom Were A Platypus is enjoyable, accurate and informative. It will be useful, indeed, in primary and middle school curricula. I know how difficult—but essential—it is to have all of the facts right, yet still be interesting and readable. This book manages both very well. I hope that it ends up in many, many schools!” —Don E. Wilson, Ph.D., Editor, Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife “I was absolutely ecstatic when I discovered If My Mom Were a Platypus. Not only did I love it, but my grandchildren shared my enthusiasm. They savored the book and eagerly brought it to school to share." —Kitty Ernst, CNM MPH DSc, Mary Breckinridge Chair of Midwifery, Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing, National and International Consultant to Birth Centers // REVIEWS: Review by Consuelo Valdivieso Valdivieso on her blog, Libros que hay que leer (originally published in Spanish): "Each chapter is full of fascinating data which you read with great pleasure. For example, the platypus are born from eggs and always in pairs (the mother platypus lays two eggs at a time); another female helps the mother elephant during calving (a kind of midwife in nature); the mother koala carries her baby in a pouch on her belly; the golden lion tamarin monkey baby measures only 8 cm when it is born and weighs 28 grams (can you imagine such a tiny thing!).... If My Mom Were a Platypus is a fascinating science book, suitable for children from eight years of age but also for much older children and even adults. You can learn many things from this book, but, above all, I hope that children learn the most important thing: to love and respect our friends the animals." Review by Dr. Kathleen Kain in Science Spiders Newsletter: “If My Mom Were A Platypus is an entrancing children’s book covering all sorts of animal babies—platypus, koala, lion, orangutan, whale, shrew and more. The beautifully-illustrated text pulls in children by pretending they are the baby. If My Mom Were A Platypus describes in detail how different babies eat, learn, grow and mature. This fact-loaded book delights both adults and children and is extraordinarily hard to put down. Even the ending is superb. Includes glossary and index and highlights endangered or threatened species. Perfect for school or home use. Ages 4-adult.” Review by Carolyn Baily in Foreword Magazine: “Completely engrossing! Most readers are sure to be surprised by something they learn about these seemingly familiar animals... A wonderful gift book for expectant parents or families with children." Review on GreatSchools.org: "To get ready for her babies, a platypus builds a nest beside a stream. A polar bear tunnels into the snow to build a snow cave. In this engrossing book, kids learn about how 14 different mammals—from koalas to hooded seals, and yes, even humans—experience the beginning of life: when they open their eyes, how big they are when they’re born, how their moms feed them, how they learn to feed themselves, and more. It’s a terrific way for kids to learn the characteristics of mammals in a way they’ll remember. Perfect for: Animal lovers."
