I just enjoyed a talk by Shelby Van Pelt about her beginnings as a writer and the origin of different aspects of her book. She's very engaging and answers a wide variety of questions with ease. #kidlit #authors #ratswithbackpacks #herorats #childrensbookauthors shelbyvanpelt.com

Yes, there are. I appreciate your determination and perseverance.

It sounds good. Thank you for the recommendation.

I didn't know this. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Birds are quite amazing.

Congratulations Hanna. That's so exciting. Best wishes with you book. :)

Thanks for "liking" my post. Best wishes with your writing. Sorry about your finding out a similar story to yours is coming out this Fall. I'm glad though that you had another one to focus upon. That helps I'm sure with the disappointment over the other one. We put our hearts into our work. :)

I'm excited to share with you my first book trailer. You’ll find it on YouTube. I hope you like it. It's exciting to learn new marketing strategies. www.youtube.com/results?sear... #rats #APOPO #rescuerats #herorats #stem #childrensbook #Scotland #kidlit #science #superheroes #superpower

I enjoyed a two-night getaway at Stratford in Ontario, Canada. It's a fun place to explore, attend a play (I went to Anne of Green Gables) and taste some dark chocolate at Chocolate Barrs. Hope to return to see a play in the Patterson and Festival Theaters.

I spotted a dragonfly at the community garden today for the first time. We put a wildlife pond in earlier this year, so perhaps this is a result of that action. In any case were delighted - these insects eat hundreds of mosquitoes a day and they’re really really cool!

Upcoming author events in upstate NY. Please join me if you're in the area. #rescuerats.bsky.social #stemeducationworks.bsky.social #Edinburghzoo.bsky.social #barnesandnoble #anotherchapter #glasgow #rmsc #rochesterny #brightonmemoriallibrary #anotherchapter #authorsnote #glasgow #science #rat

I enjoyed a breakfast picnic at the Erie Canal in Fairport with food from the local Farmer's Market - a great way to start my day. Here are a few pics from my walk afterwards along the canal. @nature.org @eriecanal.bsky.social @cnywaterways.bsky.social

Excited about an event this Saturday. #rescuerats.bsky.social #stemeducationworks.bsky.social #Edinburghzoo.bsky.social #pittsfordlibrary #pittsfordny #barnesandnoble #anotherchapter #glasgow #rmsc #rochesterny #brightonmemoriallibrary #anotherchapter #authorsnote #liftbridge #glasgow #science #rat

Congratulations - that's inspiring news!

Awesome image. Thanks for sharing.

I love the bear with his Mum. Thanks for sharing.

Join me as I share my new book. Be inspired by intelligent rats who save people's lives and the Scottish girl, whose love of animals, led her to training them in Tanzania. calendar.libraryweb.org/event/14739985 #rescuerats.bsky.social #stemeducationworks.bsky.social #Edinburghzoo.bsky.social

Sweet image. Thanks for sharing.

Summer concerts are beginning. I went to the Fairport Gazebo for the Brockport Big Band. They were great! Unfortunately, with storms earlier in the day and a cloudy sky overhead, it wasn't as busy as most concerts are. #music #summerconcerts #brockportbigband #fairportpubliclibrary #eriecanal

Please join me for my upcoming author event based on writing "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO." #herorats #science #positive #inspiringstories #apopo #rescuerats #savinglives #animals #scotland #tanzania #science #rat #excitingbooks #stem #stemeducationforkids💡

It's been an exciting past three months. My new book "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO" was launched. It's my third book and has been well received. It's been amazing to see the community response from libraries, bookstores and schools. I'm very grateful for the support.

Oops, my Erie Canal website is not posting. Please try this one instead: www.iloveny.com/erie-canal-b...

The Erie Canal is celebrating its birthday www.iloveny.com/erie-canal-b... It's a beautiful place to walk, enjoyed by children and adults, people fishing, bikers (tandem, single and groups).. @nature.com @eriecanal.bsky.social @waterways-project.bsky.social @cityofrochester.bsky.social

My son named her Larry Bird

Sounds like fun! I'd like to share with two writers' groups the "Happy Birthday PB Party. What is the zoom link? Thank you. J. N. Courtney. Author of "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO." @rescuerat.bsky.social @herorats.bsky.social @stemeducationworks.bsky.social

I have to pass this along. :)

Thank you for your words Mike. It's been an incredible experience. It's hard to believe that APOPO has been around for over 25 years and so few people know about their unusual and lifesaving work with scent detection technology. It's so inspiring!

Beautiful scene Mike. The long stretches of lavender in Provence are incredible to see. Thanks for reposting my festival announcement. :) My new book "RATS With Backpacks...": is inspiring others. @rescuerat.bsky.social @herorats.bsky.social @stemeducationworks.bsky.social

Niagara Falls is beautiful. They have a cool ride on the water - see www.maidofthemist.com. Melody, thanks for sharing and reposting about my "RATS With Backpacks..." book. I appreciate it. Best wishes, JNC @rescuerat.bsky.social @herorats.bsky.social @stemeducationworks.bsky.social

SPRING Arriving! I was in Philadelphia and enjoyed signs of Spring. Yea for nature's beauty.

Some insect larvae have been incorporating microplastics into the casings they build to protect themselves against predators since at least the early 1970s, researchers report. scim.ag/3GD5SNx

Bird nests made from anti-bird spikes?! 🤯 Hi, I'm a nest researcher 👋 and new here on BlueSky, sharing the craziest #bird nests I've ever found. 👀 Today, I’m sharing my discovery of rebellious birds that build nests out of anti-bird spikes. And honestly, it's like telling a joke... A thread. 🧵

Upcoming Festival this Sunday at sweet local bookstore: Hipocampo in Rochester, NY. Stop by and check out some awesome books. @rescuerat.bsky.social @herorats.bsky.social @stemeducationworks.bsky.social @museumofplay.bsky.social @edinburghzoo.bsky.social @marylandzoo.bsky.social @kindlestack.com

So excited to see that my book "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO" received a wonderful review. "A well-measured biography sure to inspire budding young scientists." ("Kirkus Reviews") For the full review, see: www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

Book Launch at B&N, Pittsford went well - thank you for all of your support. I appreciate all of you who could attend. @rescuerat.bsky.social @herorats.bsky.social @stemeducationworks.bsky.social @museumofplay.bsky.social @edinburghzoo.bsky.social @marylandzoo.bsky.social @kindlestack.com

It's a countdown - my launch is in 5 days - Wow! Please join me and be inspired by a scientist and her cool work at APOPO. @rescuerat.bsky.social @herorats.bsky.social @tue.nl @stemeducationworks.bsky.social @museumofplay.bsky.social @edinburghzoo.bsky.social @marylandzoo.bsky.social

Shopping for some fine yarn, 🧶 to make the best nest! 🪹🪶 📹: Josiane Plas 📍: Lowestoft, England

That's really cute. I have friends who are avid birders. Today they are looking for a barnacle goose. I think people had fun naming creatures. Thanks for sharing. Nature and its resilience is so important and inspires us.

Book entitled "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work with APOPO" is now available. Deena Viviani, Brighton, NY librarian recommends it as a "great STEM title for upper-elementary to middle school classrooms and libraries." Dr. Uzelmeier (RMSC, NY) - a book "everyone can relate to."

Such a pretty peaceful melody. Thanks for sharing.

No it doesn't. But each to their own. :)

You're welcome. So looking forward to more signs of Spring in our area - upstate NY. Enjoy!!

Love the signs the Spring. Not much in our area, upstate NY, yet but excited about its beauty to come. Thanks for sharing.

Well done. What a change you've made. So much cheerier. Thanks for sharing.

Day 3 of the #Stuckbumblebee challenge. Join us today or every day! Word prompt: #bumblebee #30daychallenge #poetry #illustration #bookbirthdaybash 🐝 🐅 #kidlit #Cankidlit #edusky #limericksunday @jpuglow.bsky.social

Join us for a book event launch for my new book, "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO." Learn about a Belgian non-profit organization which trains rats and dogs to save lives. Discover the story of Dr. Donna Kean who trains rats to rescue survivors after a natural disaster.

Exciting news! Hardcover now available; paperback on 3/18/2025. #stemeducation #intelligentanimals #science #positive #inspiringstories #apopo #rescuerats #savinglives #savinglivestogether #animals #scotland #tanzania #science #rat #excitingbooks #stem #stemeducationforkids💡

Learn more about these Rescue RATs in my new book "RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work With APOPO.* It will be available in both hard cover and paperback formats in March 2025. *APOPO is a Belgian non-profit organization which trains rats and dogs to save lives.

Happy to announce that my new book, RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO, is now available for pre-order: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rats-with-... @herorats.bsky.social @scinews.bsky.social @positivenews.bsky.social @sandiegozoo.bsky.social @marylandzoo.bsky.social

I started a "Wellness" page on my website during Covid and I find it still has relevance today as we go through challenging times. It also has sites for positive news. :) You can find it at: jncourtneypublications.com/wellness_ide... Wish you well. JNC