ABAYOMI, THE BRAZILIAN PUMA: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub by Darcy Pattison, illustrated by Kitty Harvill ***NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book 2015*** When a mother puma, an attempt to steal a chicken, she is caught in a trap and dies. The search is on for orphaned cubs. Will the scientists be able to find the cubs before their time runs out? In this “Biography in Text and Art,” Harvill takes original photos as references to create accurate wildlife illustrations. These aren’t generic cats, but one particular individual in detail. Pattison’s careful research, vetted by scientists in the field, brings to life this this true story of an infant cub that must face a complicated world alone—and find a way to survive. Cutting Edge Environmental Science Today, scientists are working to create corridors, places for wildlife to safely travel from one wild place to another. The survival of this puma may depend on how fast scientists can develop corridors in the midst of a heavily populated area. This story shows the results of spreading population and loss of habitat on wild animals. OTHER BOOKS BY PATTISON/HARVILL Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years Starred Publisher's Weekly Review “. . .Pattison writes crisply and evocatively. . .” - “Harvill contributes carefully detailed and naturalistic illustrations. . .” ". . .poetic moments. . ." and ". . .muted, realistic portraits. . ." Publisher's Weekly One of the most amazing things about Abayomi's story is that he was born within sight of skyscrapers, in a very urban world. Yet the farmer who owned the land where he was born said he had never, in his 40 years of farming, seen a puma. It struck me that they are invisible in the land. And the tables are turned: in order for Abayomi to successfully return to the wild, the scientists must remain invisible. I also love that Kitty Harvill, the illustrator of my last nature book for kids, WISDOM, THE MIDWAY ALBATROSS, returned to work on this book. Her illustrations are awesome. Children's book author and indie publisher DARCY PATTISON has written over seventy fiction and nonfiction award-winning books for children. Five books have received starred PW, Kirkus, or BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, six NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, six Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book (CA Reading Assn.), two Junior Library Guild selections, two CLA Notable Children's Book in Language Arts, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a Best STEM Book, an Arkansiana Award, and the Susannah DeBlack Arkansas Children's History Book award. She's the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children's literature. Her books have been translated into eleven languages. Kitty Harvill specializes in wildlife art, especially endangered species, and works in watercolor, pastel, oil and cut paper. She has a dual residency in Arkansas/U.S. and Brazil and is actively involved with the conservation efforts in southern Brazil. Recent titles include Wisdom, the Midway Albatross (Mims House), Up, Up, Up! It's Apple- Picking Time (Holiday House) and Vida Livre (published in Brazil). Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, Harvill holds degrees in painting and illustration. For more information, see www.facebook.com/KittyHarvill.