Winter's Tail Book Giveaway

I am pleased to be working with Scholastic on Winter's Tail book promotion. I received this book in the mail last week and couldn't wait to share it with you.

Title: Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again
Authors: Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff and Craig Hatkoff

Review Copy Provided by: Big Honcho Media

About the Book: When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found trapped with her tail badly damaged, she was not expected to survive. This is her miraculous story, from her rescue to learning how to swim again to her unprecedented success using a prosthetic tail. This is also a celebration of her indomitable spirit.

You and your family can meet Winter the Dolphin!

Winter’s Tail Virtual Field Trip

Watch the Webcast Live!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. (ET)

My Review: This is a great non-fiction story! From the authors of Owen and Mzee, the hippo and tortoise, comes another story of an animal who overcomes obstacles. Unlike their other stories, that were about animals who lived on land, this one takes place in the water. Winter learns from her adversary, and overcomes the toughest obstacle, learning to swim without a tail. She is an inspiration to children and adults who are living with prostheses

I love the message that this story gives to children. It teaches them that you can overcome. Winter could have given up when she got tangled in the net, but she didn't. She also allowed others to help her when she needed it most

Non-fiction texts are ones that children don't usually like to read, but they need to understand it because it is the kind of writing that is found in their textbooks. It is a skill that we teach in school, but it's hard to find texts that are non-fiction and enjoyed by students. This is one that they would like. Dolphins are animals that many children enjoy reading and learning about, so I feel that they would enjoy Winter's Tail.

One reason I enjoy non-fiction is the real pictures. There are many in this story and they chronicle Winter's trial and triumph so vividly. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what the Hatkoff's next tale will be.

Teachers, there's even a discussion guide and lesson plan to go along with the book. If you're going to use this book in the classroom, I recommend taking a look at it.

Q and A with the Author, Craig Hatkoff

Q: How did you first hear about Winter?
A: In almost all of our stories, we hear or read about these animals in the news or a human interest piece. We now get emails from scores of people anytime an interesting animal story makes the news. Sometimes, as in the case of Owen & Mzee, it will be a single picture in the newspaper, and other times it will be a series of articles. We saw a number of stories covering Winter's prosthetic tail in early 2008, and I called David Yates at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see if he would be interested in doing a book about Winter.

Q: Why do you think kids and adults are drawn to Winter’s story?
A: Winter appeals to people on many different levels. People are very inspired by Winter’s resourcefulness and resilience. From her dramatic rescue to the way she learned how to swim first without a tail and then with her new tail, her story shows us that if this little dolphin can overcome her incredible challenges, we can get through our own life challenges as well. Also, the story of the engineers who are challenged to design her prosthetic tail adds an element of the wonders of technology. Winter has become an ambassador to children and grown-ups alike, inspiring people with her story and her exuberant “can do” personality.

Q: Winter began to swim on her own at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, so why was her health still in danger?
A: The caretakers at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium were afraid her side-to-side motion would damage her backbone and her internal organs.

Q: How did the idea come about to use a prosthetic tail on Winter?
A: Kevin Carroll, an engineer at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, a leading designer of prosthetic devices had heard about Winter in the news. He also loves dolphins. It was a huge engineering challenge that took almost 18 months to implement.

Q: What are some behind-the-scenes facts we might find interesting about Winter?
A: Winter as of right now is on her 7th tail and it is expected that she may need up to 25 or more tails as she grows, and as the engineers keep learning more and improving the technology. Winter is also quite a talented artist. Winter actually signed a book and created a painting for our family.

Q: How does Winter's story fit in with your line of other animal books?
A: This story takes us in a number of very interesting directions. It is our first story about an animal in the United States who people can easily visit. Secondly, it deals with the difficult topic of physical and other disabilities in a way kids can relate to.
Winter's story is helping to de-stigmatize disabilities of all kinds in a natural way. It adds a dimension and a new set of tools for kids, parents, and teachers to deal with difficult subjects or topics.

Q: What is it like writing with your daughters?
A: We each have a very special contribution to the stories. Isabella is very focused on the animals themselves and their dilemmas. Juliana tends to focus more on the people involved. But we all have to agree before we will invite an animal into the collection.

Q: What do you hope readers will take away from Winter's story?
A: I think there are many things readers can take away. First, the story of Winter is a great example of how humans and animals can work together to help each other. This story also has a very special and personal meaning to me on another level. When I was growing up, along with some friends, I had teased a boy who wore a hearing aid. To this day, I have never forgiven myself, and I think about it almost every day. It is one of the few things that if I could do over in my life, I would. It was only when I was teased a few years later (as almost all kids are teased at one point or another) that I truly understood how it felt to tease and to be teased. The experience had a profound impact on me, and I have tried to explain this lesson to my daughters. We hope the story of Winter will help kids learn to understand the experience of people who face different life challenges.

Q: Why is the publication date of this book significant?
A: Winter is turning 4 years old in October 2009. We will be celebrating the fourth year of this amazing dolphin that could.

Q: How can people meet Winter?
A: People travel from all over the world to Clearwater, Florida to see Winter up close. At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, guests can see her and take pictures of her. Winter can also be seen live and in action on the Aquarium’s webcam, located at http://www.seewinter.com/. “Winter: The Dolphin That Could,” a documentary devoted to Winter’s story of survival, is also available for purchase on the Aquarium’s website.

Q: What does the future hold for Winter?
A: Many more tales with many more tails!


Watch the Book Trailer:

One (1) of my readers will receive a Winter’s Tail prize pack!

* Dolphin Plush

* Dolphin Key Chain

* Winter’s Tail game for Nintendo DS

* Copy of Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again Book

Shipping Guidelines: The Winter’s Tail book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail!)

Contest runs from today through Monday, Oct 12th. Extra entries for spreading the word about this contest on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, etc. Don't forget to leave me a link and your email.