Creek Critters by Jennifer Keats Curtis is a Finalist!

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - Dec. 17, 2020 - PRLog -- Arbordale Publishing is honored that Creek Critters has been named to the prestigious AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in the Hands-On Science category. Written as a partnership between Jennifer Keats Curtis, the Stroud Water Research Center, and illustrated by Phyllis Saroff, the book explores water quality through the play of two siblings.

Each year the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Subaru celebrate outstanding science writing by selecting winning titles in four categories, Picture Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Hands-On Science. The awards have encouraged the writing and publishing of quality science books since 2005, so current and future generations will have a better understanding and enjoyment of STEM topics.

The story opens with siblings relaxing by the water; the older sister suggests they learn how bugs can tell a story of clean water. They grab wellies, a bucket, a net, a few paintbrushes, and head into the creek on a fact-finding mission. They have fun turning over rocks and sifting through leaves to collect some macroinvertebrates in their bucket for closer inspection later. The macroinvertebrates they collect tell the kids their creek has healthy water to support the caddisfly and mayfly. A guide to macroinvertebrates and scientist field notebook in the "For Creative Minds" section is a perfect companion for kids to test their local creek.

Curtis has always been an advocate for animals and the environment. Her recent titles have focused on showing young readers how to get involved in science in their community. Creek Critters is one of these titles. Through her work with the Stroud Water Research Center, Curtis gives kids a jumping-off point to discover water health in their neighborhood. Stroud is not only a freshwater research center but also committed to supporting education with water health programs. Realistic illustrations by Saroff compliments the story perfectly. Saroff loves both science and art and has illustrated several nonfiction books as well as educational materials.

Arbordale is committed to creating quality picture books for young readers. Each year we release a combination of fiction and nonfiction titles introducing science and math to young readers through illustrated and photographic stories. We are honored to have Creek Critters as the second finalist in the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Science Books Prize and anticipate the announcement of the winners in January.

CREEK CRITTERS® is a registered trademark of the Audubon Naturalist Society Of The Central Atlantic States, Inc. ANS's CREEK CRITTERS mobile app helps people find and identify aquatic macroinvertebrates and report on stream health (anshome.org/creek-critters (https://www.anshome.org/creek-critters)).