Python Catchers: Saving the Everglades

by Marta Magellan (Illustrator), Mauro Magellan (Illustrator)

Invasive Pythons have become a serious issue in Florida in recent years, and as told through the eyes of a clever wood stork and curious marsh rabbit in this illustrated volume for children, the plight of native species and their habitats comes alive for younger readers. An easy-to-read, colorful, and entertaining natural history, Python Catchers offers detailed information on the various python species, the risks they pose to other animals, and a lively story to inspire young conservationists. Information on what readers can do to prevent the introduction of invasive species, the laws about exotic pets, a comprehensive glossary, and a list of resources are also included.

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2020

About the author

Marta Magellan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has lived in Miami, Florida since the age of seven. She taught Composition, Creative Writing, and Survey of Children’s Literature at Miami Dade College, where she was a full professor and award-winning adviser to Miambiance, the campus literary arts magazine. She has written travel articles for magazines and newspapers but her love for children and profound interest in nature has produced several award-winning children’s books about wild animals, many in collaboration with her brother, Mauro Magellan, an illustrator who has produced work for Albert Whitman, Pelican Press, Scholastic, among others. She has also written children's books for the educational market and a few travel articles on exotic places. She has traveled abroad extensively, and now lives in Miami with her husband and not too far from her beloved son and daughter and grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers will enjoy the combination of photos and illustrations as well as facts coupled with fictional animal narrators. Join Marsh Rabbit and Stork for a discussion about how pythons came to be in the Everglades, the dangers they pose to the creatures that are native to the Everglades, and what humans are trying to do to fix the problem they caused. This book also includes back matter that gives the readers more information. Highly recommended for all readers!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

So didactic that my head hurts from being hit so often BUT an entirely necessary book. For those in the audience that think it's ever ok to release your pet animal into the wild (besides just how cruel that really is!) you should read what these actions have done to the wilds of the Everglades in Florida. Massive environmental change created by pythons, either released "pets" or hurricane victims, have made devastating transformations in the ecosystems that at this point are unresolvable.