Explore Books

Dennis Schatz is Senior Advisor at Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington. He is also Field Editor of a new journal, Connected Science Learning, which highlights links between in-school and out-of-school learning. The journal is a joint effort of the National Science Teacher Association and the Association of Science Technology Centers.Dennis is the author of 23 science books for children, including Uncover A T. rex (becker&mayer!), the Fossil Detective series of four books (becker&mayer!) and the popular Totally series of six books (Totally Dinosaurs in 2000 to Totally Sea Creatures in 2003; becker&mayer!). His books have sold almost 2 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 23 languages. His Uncover A T. rex book was a 2003 Parents Choice Award Winner, and his Fossil Detective Woolly Mammoth received a 2006 iParenting Media award. He is also coauthor/editor of several curriculum resources for teachers. He lives and works in Seattle, Washington.

David George Gordon is the author of Explore A Shark and 19 other books about wildlife and wild places. Over the years, he’s written about everything from slugs and snails to the Sasquatch (aka Bigfoot) and from cockroaches to gray whales. His most popular title is The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook, published by Ten Speed Press. The subjects of his books may be offbeat but they are entirely factual—and fascinating. To his peers, David is known as the Godfather of insect cuisine. In his role as The Bug Chef, he’s shared his exotic cuisine with visitors to the Smithsonian Institution, Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, Singapore Food Festival, Yale University, The Explorers Club and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums in Hollywood, San Francisco and Times Square. He lives in Seattle with his wife Karen and Wilbur, their pet tarantula spider.

Aimee Bakken taught biology at the University of Washington for 32 years. Her students included everyone from dabblers to graduate students. She has also served as a one-woman show-and-tell experience, bringing frogs and other creatures into high school classrooms to share the wonders of biology. Aimee has also consulted and testified as an expert witness in trials involving DNA testing. She lives in Washington State.

Paul Beck has been writing about science since 1994. His science specialties include sound, music, language, and animals. When his 20-year stint developing exhibits for Seattle’s hands-on Pacific Science Center ended, he devoted himself to the life of the freelance writer. He is the author of more than 30 books, including Uncover a Dog, Explore Within a Pirate Ship, Skulls, and The Field Guide to Safari Animals. Paul lives in Seattle, WA.

Davide Bonadonna is an award-winning illustrator and sculptor who specializes in scientific subjects, especially paleontology. He lives in Italy.