ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION: THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR Now Available as an E-Book

My book, ON THE BRING OF EXTINCTION: THE CALIFORNIACONDOR, illustrated with photographs by Michael Wallace, is now available as an e-book on Amazon. Originally published in 1993 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich as a hardback and paperback, it documents the work of the Los Angeles Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park to rescue the then nearly extinct condor and restore it in the wild.  

The paper editions of the book have long been out-of-print. I thank the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Condor Fund for their cooperation in bringing the book back to life as an e-book. You can download it to your tablet, computer or phone to read it. The pages will appear exactly as they do in the print book. Note that it cannot be read on a Kindle e-reader. (It is a print replica file and does not have reflowable text.)

 

LISTEN TO RECORDINGS OF MY BOOKS ON AUDIBLE: Dinosaurs, Pterosaurs, Skeletons

I just discovered that several of my books are available to listen to at Audible on Amazon. If you like to listen to books while you are jogging, working in the garden, or riding in the car, then this is for you. You have to sign into and buy the subscription to the Audible program, but there are many books available, some of them free. The quality of the reading (different readers for each book) is excellent. You can try out samples HERE. So far, the following titles of my books are available on Audible:

Pterosaurs:Rulers of the Skies in the Dinosaur Age

You Skeletal System

Dinosaurs with Feathers: Ancestors of Modern Birds

 

SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL Now at the SCBWI BookStop Site

SCBWI BookStop page for SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL

The SCBWI BookStop site launches today!  Find SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL on my SCBWI BookStop page! It is in the section of YA books. (Like many books written for adults, it crosses over to YA readers.)

Thanks to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for helping me to promote SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL, my memoir about growing up at North East Neighborhood House in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The site includes information about the book and links to my social media sites.  A button on the BookStop page allows you to go directly to Amazon to purchase SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL (paperback). The book is also available as an ebook on Amazon.

The promotion will be live on scbwi.org from October 15 through December 4, 2024. It is a perfect opportunity for holiday shoppers, including on Cyber Monday. Buy your copy today!

"Settlement House Girl is engaging, tracing Arnold’s growth from a young girl to an adult journeying into being a writer in her later life, but it’s also a valuable contribution to the social history of 20th-century America, offering urban history enthusiasts a wealth of information about the daily lives of families living in mid-century cities. The detailed accounts of Arnold's experiences provide a unique glimpse into the fabric of community life during this era, highlighting the interactions and shared experiences that defined the settlement house environment." BookLife/Publishers Weekly

AMAZON READER REVIEWS: Raves for SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL

Many thanks to all the people who have reviewed SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL on Amazon. It’s always rewarding to discover that readers like my book! Here are a few of the reviews. Remember that these are written by regular people, not professional book reviewers. I’m often surprised by what they like best.

Delicious “comfort” reading.  

A memoir about growing up in a time and place a little different (not a lot, in the Big Picture, but a lot, in the details) from mine. I absolutely loved reading a chapter or two at a time, especially at bedtime, and looking forward to returning to the world of the book. Reading it was easy and fun. It felt gentle and warm. When the author's life experiences reminded me of mine, it resonated with me, made me feel smart thinking I knew exactly what she meant, and made me admire her writing because it was dead-on. Yet when her experiences were completely different from mine, it elicited an even stronger reaction, which I find notable—the fact that differences piqued my interest more than similarities. It’s an interesting form of intellectual stimulation. Another glowing facet of the book is that her parents' dedication as social workers is beyond admirable. –Picky Reader

Important history.

Caroline Arnold's book about her own life in a settlement house kept me riveted. I'd known nothing about this part of our social history. Thank you, Caroline.—Jane A. Bolton

You will enjoy this book.

You will enjoy this book if you are interested in: US history, Minnesota history, Minneapolis history, genealogy, ancestry, social work, community organizing. . . And family stories and autobiographies. Prolific children’s and nature author Arnold shares her interesting and treasured life experiences.--Kathy Jurichko

Very Interesting.

I went to junior high school and high school with Caroline. Therefore it was really interesting to read her story!! I never knew there were girls sports at Washburn High School, but she played tennis. I fully enjoyed reading the book. –Miriam

  

WHY DID I SELF-PUBLISH MY BOOK? The story behind publishing SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL

Caroline Arnold and Settlement House Girl

Why did I self-publish SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL? I tried to find a traditional publisher for it but was unsuccessful. I became discouraged when my agent told me that publishers are most interested in memoirs of famous people. (Although I am known by teachers and children's librarians for my 170 books for children, that's apparently not famous enough.) So I decided to do it myself.

I already had experience republishing some of my out of print children's books on Amazon and I had helped a friend self-publish her memoir. So I knew how to format and upload a manuscript for a book. The advantage of Amazon is that there is no cost to publish, but you have to do all the work yourself. Alternatively, there are lots of companies that will help you publish your book for a price. 

I am happy with the print and paper quality of my books on Amazon. The books are print on demand. (If you order a copy of my book you will see for yourself.) I chose a standard size for the pages, which means that the book can be ordered by bookstores through Ingram and sold for a profit like any other book. Most bookstores won't carry my book on the shelves, but customers can order it and the store can get it within a few days. I can also order books from Amazon at a discount and sell them myself. Some independent bookstores will take books on consignment.

However, what I've learned is that writing and publishing the book is the easy part. The hard part is promotion--getting the book known. I am realizing that I never really appreciated what my publishers do to promote my children's books. It is important to get the book reviewed. I have paid for reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and BlueInk Review (recommended by BookList.) Customer reviews on Amazon and on Goodreads also help. It is also important to get the book into libraries. Although libraries don't normally buy self-published books, they will consider them, especially if there is a personal connection with the author or the subject matter. So, little by little, one library at a time, I am getting my book into libraries across the country. 

More and more authors are self-publishing these days and it no longer has the stigma it once did. (The book must still read and look professional in every way.) The competition for getting a book accepted by an established publisher is getting tougher and tougher. Sometimes self-publishing is the best alternative. For one thing, it puts you in control of the finished product. And, if you are using a print-on-demand service like I do, the book will never go out of print!

·         SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL: Growing Up in the1950s at North East Neighborhood House, Minneapolis, Minnesota

·         By Caroline Scheaffer Arnold

·         Independently Published (Amazon; available at Ingram)

·         Published December 1, 2023

·         Paperback, 207 pages

·         Illustrated with black and white historic photos

·         $14.99

ISBN 97998864903285

SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL Now Available as A KINDLE E-BOOK-- Update!

I am happy to report that my memoir SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL: Growing Up in the 1950s at North East Neighborhood House, Minneapolis, Minnesota is now available on Amazon as a print replica Kindle e-book. Because it is published as a print replica the pages appear exactly as they do in the print version. It can be downloaded to your tablet or computer. (Unfortunately, it cannot be read on a Kindle e-reader.) The price for the e-book is $6.99.

Update, November 14, 2024:  SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL is now also available as a Kindle e-book with reflowable text and can be downloaded to your Kindle or phone. YAY!

Meanwhile, SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL continues to get excellent reviews. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, now is the time to order either the paperback version, the print replica e-book version or the Kindle e-book with reflowable text. After you have read the book, I’d love to hear from you and find out what you think. And you can post your review on Amazon or Goodreads. Thank you!

A ZEBRA'S WORLD Reviewed at the Epic Book Society

I was pleased to discover a review of my book A Zebra's World included at the blog at the Epic Book Society featuring 25 Exciting Books About Zebras for Kids.

From the Epic Book Society blog:

Children love Zebras because of their uniqueness. There is no other animal in the world that has the same pattern as the stripey zebra.

This makes them the perfect animal hero in a children’s book because they teach children to celebrate differences and that being unique can be beautiful.

If your child loves zebras or you’re looking for books about zebras to teach your kids about diversity, then you’ve come to the right place. These are the best zebra books for children of all ages, from chapter books to board books for toddlers.

So when you’re ready, go take a look!

Review of A Zebra's World on the Epic Book Society blog:

A Zebras World follows a young zebra as it takes its first steps in this new world. The story follows the zebra as it grows up in Africa, in both an interesting and stimulating way.

Keeping the zebra theme of black and white, the story is accompanied by black and white illustrations, which help tell the tales of these amazing animals.

This zebra picture book is an exciting view into the first year of a zebra’s life and teaches children about their natural home and some other animals they share their home with.

A ZEBRA'S WORLD is available on Amazon as Kindle book.

Learn more about the book at my website.

5 STAR RATING on GOODREADS for SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL!

I was pleased to discover that SETTLEMENT HOUSE GIRL, my memoir about growing up in a settlement house in the 1950s, has a 5 star rating on Goodreads. The book is available on Amazon, or you can order it at your favorite bookstore. ISBN 9798864903285

Be the first to write a review on Goodreads! And Amazon!

Thanks!

SCBWI BOOKSTOP: Buy your copy of My Friend From Outer Space here!

The holidays are here! Purchase a wonderful book by SCBWI members. Find amazing stories in our members’ novels and picture books, and discover intriguing nonfiction – all make great gifts for the kids and young adults in your life and also for you! Go to https://www.scbwi.org/bookstop to browse, buy, and enjoy a new book.

I have created a page for my book MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE on the SCBWI BookStop site. 

At my BookStop page you will find links to Amazon where you can buy the book (paperback and Kindle), to the YouTube book trailer, and to my website where you can find more information about the book and its inspiration.

BookStop goes live to the book-buying public on Tuesday, November 14 through December 22. The goal is to give new books by SCBWI members the exposure they deserve during peak holiday buying season.
Check it out and leave a comment!

VIDEO BOOK TRAILER now on YOUTUBE for My Friend from Outer Space

 

A short (1 minute 40 second) video book trailer of MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE is now on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSP_ZICyJ0Y

Take a look, then read the book and find out what Sherry really looks like on the Planet Tinbambam.

You can purchase MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE ON  on Amazon.

Paperback     $9.99

Kindle            $6.99

Order your copy now!

MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE, Available on Amazon

Illustration from My Friend from Outer Space

Does Sherry really come from outer space, or is she just wearing her Halloween costume? Read the book. Then you decide.

The Halloween promotion of free copies of MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE is now over, but you can still purchase copies on Amazon. Both paperback and Kindle books are available.

Order your book now!

"Sherry lives next door. She says she comes from outer space. I don't believe her."

SUN FUN: WATCHING A SOLAR ECLIPSE (safely)

Image of Eclipse through a pinhole. Illustration by Caroline Arnold in Sun Fun.

No "ring of fire" but lots of crescent shaped suns as the partial eclipse passed over Los Angeles yesterday! Any tiny opening (between leaves on the trees or poked in a piece of paper) became a pinhole camera projecting the sun's image.)

Shadows of leaves on a sidewalk create images of partially obscured sun. 

On Saturday morning, October 14, 2023, I and millions of other people experienced an annular eclipse when the moon passes in front of the sun, leaving a thin edge of the sun peeking out behind it. A full annular eclipse looks like a ring of fire. In Los Angeles, where I live, we did not see the full eclipse, but we did see a partial eclipse.

It is never safe to look at the sun directly. Here's how you can experience an eclipse safely. This project is in my book Sun Fun, originally published in 1981 by Franklin Watts, and now available as an e-book on Amazon.

GOODREADS: Be the First to Review MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE!

You can find both the Kindle version and the paperback version of MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE on Goodreads. I'd love it if you'd write a review! (You can also write a review on Amazon.)

BOOK PARTY: Celebrating the Publication of MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE

On Sunday, August 6^th, my granddaughter Paige and I were joined by friends and family to celebrate the publication of our book M Y FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE, an update of the story I first published in 1981, now with wonderful new illustrations by Paige. 

We did a short presentation and reading of the book followed by the cutting of the celebratory cake—and enjoyed lots of other delicious goodies as well. The party was held at Art’s and my house in Oakland. (Paige and her parents live just a short distance away.) We thank everyone who was able to come!

The book is available on Amazon as both a paperback and Kindle ebook.

Read more about the book at my website.

REVIEW OF MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE "Great book for young readers!"

With many thanks to Susan Meyers for her enthusiastic review of MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE on Amazon!

5 Stars  Great Book for Young Readers!

This is such a fun book! It perfectly captures that willing suspension of disbelief that kids are so good at, even if they start out as skeptics. Sherry, the heroine who declares she comes from outer space, confidently deals with all her friend’s doubts and convinces him to join her in her rocket ship, which looks surprisingly like a large cardboard box stored in her garage. They blast off for a harrowing trip through outer space to Sherry’s planet and back again. Her friend, a bit shaken by the experience, declares himself a believer. Is he? Maybe. But I have the feeling he’s not going to try it again. The illustrations are perfect for the story. Bright and colorful, partially laid out in comic book style, they keep the story moving in an exciting way. Never a dull moment in this book for young readers. 

TA DAH! New Book! MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE

                                    HOT OFF THE PRESS!

MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE

By Caroline Arnold

Illustrations by Paige Arnold

Published by Caroline Arnold (Amazon) July 2023

ISBN 9798399935614 Paperback $9.99

ASIN B0CB9BXWLC  Kindle ebook $6.99

“Sherry lives next door. She says she comes from outer space. I don’t believe her.”

In this graphic picture book illustrated with colorful anime style art by Paige Arnold, two girls travel to the planet Tinbambam in their cardboard box space ship. But do they really go to outer space? Or are they just pretending?

This is a new version of MY FRIEND FROM OUTER SPACE originally published by Franklin Watts, 1981, (OP), now rewritten and newly illustrated.

I am so excited to have this book available again after 43 years! Children will always like to pretend. It is a story that will never go out of date.

Get your copy now!

UPDATE TO MY AUTHOR PROFILE ON AMAZON

I have recently updated my author profile on Amazon. Now it includes my latest books and a few fun facts in my biography. Note that the books section is sorted by "popularity" but if you click in the box on the upper right of the page to "publication date" you will see them in order of publication, starting with the most recent titles.

The author profile page has been recently redesigned by Amazon. It no longer includes links to videos. The video trailers for A WARMER WORLD, A POLAR BEAR'S WORLD, and GLOBAL WARMING AND THE DINOSAURS are no longer there. Look for them at my website www.carolinearnold.com .

TRAPPED I N TAR: THE PERFECT GIFT FOR A YOUNG FOSSIL LOVER

Ice Age fossils of mammoths, sabertooth cats, dire wolves and more, discovered in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles and displayed in the George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries. TRAPPED IN TAR: Fossils from the Ice Age tells the story behind the fossils and about life in the Ice Age when these animals were alive and examines the work of the paleontologists who excavate and study them. During the Ice Age, over 400 different kinds of animals lived on the grassy plain that is now Los Angeles. Then, as now, pools of tar sometimes seeped to the surface of the earth. Unwary animals stepped into the sticky tar and were trapped. There they died. Gradually their bones sank to the bottom of the tar seep. In time, the tar penetrated the bones and preserved them. This book tells the story of the Rancho La Brea fossils and examines the work of the paleontologists who excavate and study them at the George C. Page Museum in Los Angeles, California.

TRAPPED IN TAR is available at Amazon for $9.95 (paperback.) It is the perfect introduction to a trip to the La Brea Tar Pits or as a vicarious visit from afar. It is also available as an e-book.

THE ANCIENT CLIFF DWELLERS OF MESA VERDE on the November SCBWI Recommended Reading List

I am pleased to have my book THE ANCIENT CLIFF DWELLERS OF MESA VERDE featured on this month’s SCBWI recommended reading list in the nonfiction section. Each month, SCBWI features books written and illustrated by its members. And every month highlights a new theme that will foster discussions, activities, and enjoyment!

The theme for November is Native, First Nations, and Indigenous Heritage, featuring books that celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. On this list, you will find fiction, nonfiction, Own Voices books, bilingual books, and more. So pick up a book and become immersed in this rich culture.

THE ANCIENT CLIFF DWELLERS OF MESA VERDE is available as an ebook from Amazon. It was originally published by Clarion Books in 1992. 

My first visit to Mesa Verde National Park was on a family vacation when I was fourteen. We pitched our tent on the edge of the mesa and, like the ancient Anasazi, cooked our meals over an open fire. It was easy to imagine our campsite as a place where the Anasazi might have tilled the ground to plant corn and beans or hunted with bows and arrows for deer or wild turkey. As we looked into the canyon below our campsite we could see Spruce Tree House, a complex of square buildings that had been built into the cliff wall one thousand years ago. Protected from wind and weather by the overhanging rocks, they looked much as they had when they were new. My brothers and I delighted in scrambling up and down the ladders of the cliff dwellings and investigating the open rooms. I also spent hours inside the park museum learning about the people who had once lived at Mesa Verde. As I viewed the fine baskets, intricately decorated pots, carved stone and bone tools and other artifacts, I wondered about the ancient Americans known to us as the Anasazi and about why they had abandoned their homes around 1300 AD. 

When I returned to Mesa Verde thirty years later with Richard Hewett to research and photograph our book, I discovered that even more ancient sites had been excavated and opened to the public. I was intrigued by the archeological process--how people discover evidence of ancient cultures and how they figure out what it means. The buildings and household objects that the Anasazi left behind are like pieces of a puzzle, which reveal what life was like on that high tableland over a thousand years ago.

CELEBRATE BATS during INTERNATIONAL BAT WEEK and during The Whole Year

 

Bat Week is an annual international celebration of the important role of bats in nature. While we often think about bats during the weeks before Halloween, we need to be aware of their critical role in the ecosystem during the whole year. You can learn more at the Bat Week website. 

You can also learn about bats in my book BAT (Morrow Junior Books, 1996) illustrated with close-up photographs by Richard Hewett, now available as a digital book on Amazon.There are more than 950 species of bats in the world today. This book focuses on two species of bats found commonly in the United States--the big brown bat and the Mexican free-tailed bat.

Bats play an essential role in the balance of nature-eating millions of insect pests nightly and pollinating hundreds of different types of plants. Yet unfounded superstitions and fear, plus the destruction of their habitats, are endangering many species of bats the world over. The clear text and forty up-close full-color photographs highlight bats' unusual physical characteristics and present a fascinating view of their day-to-day life and behavior.

Learn some cool facts about bats and other animals in this issue of the National Geographic newsletter.