Welcome to the website of naturalist and award-winning children’s author Brooke Bessesen
Whether eye to eye with humpback whales or surrounded by free-flying California condors, Brooke is wild about the natural world! Brooke travels the globe, studying species through conservation research. She also works with the medical team at the Phoenix Zoo, does wildlife rescue for Liberty Wildlife and assists animals in crisis as a member of the Humane Society of the United States National Animal Disaster Reponse Team. You can join her animal adventures by reading her blog.
"What a wonderful blog! We enjoyed your photographs & travels! Looking forward to more!"
—Maria Kantzos, teacher
Brooke is the author of four children's books about wildlife science. Her newest title is a non-fiction leveled reader entitled Invertebrates, available for the classroom through Science A-Z. Her three popular picture books are designed to kindle creativity and wonder in kids of all ages. Fans of the award-winning book Look Who Lives in the Desert! will delight in the much-anticipated sequel, Look Who Lives in the Ocean!. Both are masterful blends of art and science, combining clever collage illustrations, humorous rhyme, fascinating facts and photographs. Each takes readers on a colorful journey and describes 21 animals in their respective habitat.
And don’t forget Zachary, a playful packrat who never seems to have enough stuff. He loves art and heirlooms, swap meets and museums. Join the fun as he carefully cares for his favorite collections and seeks out new goodies to stash in his cache. Written in wordplay for collectors of all ages, Zachary Z. Packrat and His Amazing Collections is illustrated by nationally syndicated cartoonist, Jenny Campbell. It’s “based on a true story” because it’s about packrat moms, grandpas and best friends—beloved human packrats, who like to collect things and protect treasures of the past. But it also explains how the namesake animals help scientists study habitats dating all the way back to the Ice Age. It was nominated for a 2011 Grand Canyon Reader Award.
Here, you will find pages and pages of fun for book junkies and animal lovers. Now young readers have their very own section, for KIDS! with several pages to help them discover their own inner power. And teachers, you have a special place, too, with info on school visits and 90+ pages of FREE standards-based curriculum.
See how Brooke creates her unique fabric illustrations, read some of her other writings, schedule her for a presentation. You may want to browse Brooke’s photos and videos. She travels with a camera and is an award-winning television producer whose credits include producing animal stories for National Geographic Channel. Whatever engages you, enjoy exploring this eco-writer's site. But beware... it may spark a hankering to explore the whole planet.
Brooke is the founder and director of Authors for Earth Day, an international coalition of authors and illustrators that builds environmental awareness through special April school visits. She also donates a portion of her book royalties to wildlife conservation, bringing her full circle back to the animals she loves.
NEW NEWS!
Woo hoo! Brooke will be receiving the 2012 Judy Goddard/Libraries, Ltd. Arizona Children's Author/Illustrator Award!
SITEings
See photos from Brooke's Authors for Earth Day visit at Laveen Elementary! A4ED has now donated over $15,750 to conservation organizations!
Order Brooke's non-fiction ebook Invertebrates through the educational press
Science A-Z.
Read a blog series Brooke wrote for Osa Peninsula Chronicles about the wildlife she studied Costa Rica, plus see extra photos & videos on Brooke's Facebook Page and blog.
Visit OBIS SEAMAP to see Brooke's whale, dolphin and sea turtle data from her scientific research in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica.