Science and Storytelling
21/05/25 16:30 Filed in: Environmental Education
Interview with Writer Claire Datnow
“My books open the hearts and minds of young people and inspire a love for the natural world and diverse cultures.” 
View all The Books
This month’s Breezer Making Waves is Claire Datnow, author of The Adventures of The Sizzling Six Series!
Let’s dig into how Claire interweaves science and storytelling to encourage readers to become good stewards of the Earth.
Hi Claire. What are we celebrating with you?
The publication of two new books in The Adventures of The Sizzling Six Series, by Star Bright Books.
Congratulations! What does this opportunity mean to you?
This opportunity provides an outstanding way to promote my books that open the hearts and minds of young people and inspire a love for the natural world and diverse cultures.
What do you feel led you to this place on your journey?
I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, which ignited my love for the natural world and diverse cultures. After earning an MA in Education for Gifted and Talented and a second MA in Public History, I taught creative writing and environmental studies in the Birmingham, Alabama, public schools. Together with my students, I created a nature trail, now named the Alabama Audubon-Datnow Nature Preserve. My students inspired me to begin writing environmental fiction with themes of mystery, adventure, and environmental action. I interweave science and storytelling, STEAM, to encourage readers to become wise and just stewards of the Earth. My eco mysteries are set in my home state of Alabama and across the globe and feature endangered species.
Do you have any advice for Breezers who want to achieve something similar?
Writers can learn the art and craft of how to apply the building blocks of compelling science-based stories that will resonate with tweens and teens and correlate with state standards across the curriculum.
More Teacher Resources
Weaving Joy into Climate and Dark fiction.
14/05/25 18:42 Filed in: Environmental Fiction
Weaving Joy into Climate and Dark fiction.
In climate fiction or any genres that explores darker themes, how can writers weave a compelling story without sugar coating the truth? Here are some powerful techniques:
Humor: Sprinkle humorous moments into the story. Carl Hiaasen inserts humor into troubling situations. For example:
The first rule of hurricane coverage is that every broadcast must begin with palm trees bending in the wind.”
― Carl Hiaasen
“Mickey Cray had been out of work ever since a dead iguana fell from a palm tree and hit him on the head.”
― Carl Hiaasen, Chomp
In climate fiction or other genres, how can writers weave a compelling story about climate change without sugar coating the truth? Here are some techniques:
The setting: The setting can be local or across the global. Describe the setting that pulls readers into the character’s’’ world. For example: “The town of Nahoon, on Chichagof Island, 30 miles from Juneau, Alaska: It is late spring on Chichagof Island, and the air and water are warming. The bears have woken from their long sleep. All eye are on the horizon for the oceans grateful giants, the gray whales.” The Gray Whale’s Lament by Claire Datnow
.
In a review by Maragaret Amsler she highlights the setting of The Gray Whale’s Lament:
“First the reader travels to Sumatra, Indonesia and meets talented Aishya who has a special bond with a rescued orangutan Next Datnow takes the reader to western Australia where marathon runner Kirri has a similar special bond with a wallaby. The third vignette focuses on Californian Hector and an injured Swainson’s hawk he is dedicated to rehabilitating. These diverse teens share not only an uncommon Dr. Doolittle-like relationship with their rescued wild animal, but each teen also becomes trapped in a devastating wildfire. The hero in the vignettes are the orangutan, wallaby and the hawk – each leading the grievously injured teen to safety.
Joy: Introduce joyful moments, despite dire situations looming over the protagonist.
“Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure,” the first book in my Climate Fiction trilogy, a reviewer wrote, “With inspiring breadth and creativity the author explores pressing environmental issues . . . but doesn’t leave out moments of joy and delight. — Professor Sue Brannon Walker, selected to Alabama Writers Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
In “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures,” Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson puts forward other ways to weave joy into your narratives, which she illustrates with the overlapping circles of a Venn Diagram:
1) What are your characters good at/special gift?
2) what work needs to be done?
3) And what brings your characters joy?
Special Gifts: In the “The Gray Whale’s Lament,” Book two of the trilogy, three teenagers use their powerful gift—the ability to communicate with animals—to save them. In turn, their animals save them from certain death during a race to outrun the flames roaring toward them. Aisyah, a compassionate free spirit from Sumatra, bonds with Pongo an endangered orangutan. Kirri a competitive marathon runner from Australia, bonds with Rocky an endangered Rock wallaby. And then there’s Hector, a headstrong and gifted falconer from California, who bonds with Swain, a magnificent Swainson’s hawk. After their painful recovery from burns, the teens in return take on a new challenge, caring for animals injured in the fires (what they are good at and what brings them joy).
Despite dark themes, these techniques will lift your storie’s mood and inspire hope that positive action is possible.
In climate fiction or any genres that explores darker themes, how can writers weave a compelling story without sugar coating the truth? Here are some powerful techniques:
Humor: Sprinkle humorous moments into the story. Carl Hiaasen inserts humor into troubling situations. For example:
The first rule of hurricane coverage is that every broadcast must begin with palm trees bending in the wind.”
― Carl Hiaasen
“Mickey Cray had been out of work ever since a dead iguana fell from a palm tree and hit him on the head.”
― Carl Hiaasen, Chomp
In climate fiction or other genres, how can writers weave a compelling story about climate change without sugar coating the truth? Here are some techniques:
The setting: The setting can be local or across the global. Describe the setting that pulls readers into the character’s’’ world. For example: “The town of Nahoon, on Chichagof Island, 30 miles from Juneau, Alaska: It is late spring on Chichagof Island, and the air and water are warming. The bears have woken from their long sleep. All eye are on the horizon for the oceans grateful giants, the gray whales.” The Gray Whale’s Lament by Claire Datnow
.
In a review by Maragaret Amsler she highlights the setting of The Gray Whale’s Lament:
“First the reader travels to Sumatra, Indonesia and meets talented Aishya who has a special bond with a rescued orangutan Next Datnow takes the reader to western Australia where marathon runner Kirri has a similar special bond with a wallaby. The third vignette focuses on Californian Hector and an injured Swainson’s hawk he is dedicated to rehabilitating. These diverse teens share not only an uncommon Dr. Doolittle-like relationship with their rescued wild animal, but each teen also becomes trapped in a devastating wildfire. The hero in the vignettes are the orangutan, wallaby and the hawk – each leading the grievously injured teen to safety.
Joy: Introduce joyful moments, despite dire situations looming over the protagonist.
“Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure,” the first book in my Climate Fiction trilogy, a reviewer wrote, “With inspiring breadth and creativity the author explores pressing environmental issues . . . but doesn’t leave out moments of joy and delight. — Professor Sue Brannon Walker, selected to Alabama Writers Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
In “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures,” Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson puts forward other ways to weave joy into your narratives, which she illustrates with the overlapping circles of a Venn Diagram:
1) What are your characters good at/special gift?
2) what work needs to be done?
3) And what brings your characters joy?
Special Gifts: In the “The Gray Whale’s Lament,” Book two of the trilogy, three teenagers use their powerful gift—the ability to communicate with animals—to save them. In turn, their animals save them from certain death during a race to outrun the flames roaring toward them. Aisyah, a compassionate free spirit from Sumatra, bonds with Pongo an endangered orangutan. Kirri a competitive marathon runner from Australia, bonds with Rocky an endangered Rock wallaby. And then there’s Hector, a headstrong and gifted falconer from California, who bonds with Swain, a magnificent Swainson’s hawk. After their painful recovery from burns, the teens in return take on a new challenge, caring for animals injured in the fires (what they are good at and what brings them joy).
Despite dark themes, these techniques will lift your storie’s mood and inspire hope that positive action is possible.
Cli-Fi Eco Adventures Middle Grade
19/03/25 12:43 Filed in: Environmental Fiction Tweens Teens
Greetings Dear Writers and Readers,
I’m sharing events I plan to attend, some past events, and freebies that you may be interested in. But first a teaser: Do you know the meaning of the words Phenology and Biomimicry? Look for the answer below:
Claire chatting with a Black Vulture
Free materials;
I recently presented a workshop, ‘Drawn from Nature,” at the Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Guntersville. Free materials: Let me know if you are interested in receiving an outline. In addition, you are interested in receiving an outline of my presentation “Preserving The Rich Bio Diversity of the Southern States,” please email me.
World Migratory Bird Day2025 is just around the corner! World Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday in May (May 10th in 2025). If you are interested in participating in this event please let me know!
April Earth Month: for Events you can attend visit Bham Now: https://bhamnow.com/2018/04/03/earth-month/?amp Three of Birmingham’s leading nature education organizations, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are holding Spring Plant Sales on consecutive weekends in April. Both events raise monies for important nature education programs.
Answer: “Phenology is the study of the timing and cyclical patterns of events in the natural world, particularly those related to the annual life cycles of plants, animals, and other living things.” USA National Phenology Network
Answer: “Biomimicry, or biomimetics, is the practice of learning from and emulating nature's designs and strategies to solve human problems and create sustainable solutions.” The Biomimicry Institute
https://biomimicry.org › Get Inspired
Field Workshop
At the Conference: I participated in fascinating workshops that bring these terms to life. Coincidentally, I am working on the third book in The Four Elements Trilogy, which includes species like the green anole, a lizard, that scientists and engineers have applied to create the latest technology—for example the bullet train and adhesives.
Claire & Big with Dr. Gillstrap
Words to Add to Our Vocabulary: Phenology and Biomimicry.
I recently attended the awesome! Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Guntersville State Park. There I participated in fascinating workshops that bring these terms to life. Coincidentally, I am working on the third book in The Four Elements Trilogy, which includes species like the green anole, a lizard, that scientists and engineers have applied to create the latest technology—for example the bullet train and adhesives. Here are a few events to attend:
Here are a few events to attend:
April is Earth Month. Events you can attend visit Bham Now: https://bhamnow.com/2018/04/03/earth-month/?amp Three of Birmingham’s leading nature education organizations, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are holding Spring Plant Sales on consecutive weekends in April. Both events raise monies for important nature education programs.
Writer Events: If you are a writer, an environmental educator or love to explore the nature, here are a few Up Coming Events:
For Writers and Nature Lovers.
Past events
https://alabamawritingworkshop.com/
My Book Launches:
For More Fun Photos Visit: medicament.net
I’m sharing events I plan to attend, some past events, and freebies that you may be interested in. But first a teaser: Do you know the meaning of the words Phenology and Biomimicry? Look for the answer below:
Claire chatting with a Black Vulture
- Upcoming events:
- Are you planning to attend the Southern Breeze Spring Mingle, in Decatur, Georgia, March 25-29. Decatur, Georgia, Library? If so, please email me so we can make plans to meet at the conference. Also I would love you to visit me at the Book Launch for my newest books in The Adventures of the Sizzling Six series.
Free materials;
I recently presented a workshop, ‘Drawn from Nature,” at the Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Guntersville. Free materials: Let me know if you are interested in receiving an outline. In addition, you are interested in receiving an outline of my presentation “Preserving The Rich Bio Diversity of the Southern States,” please email me.
World Migratory Bird Day2025 is just around the corner! World Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday in May (May 10th in 2025). If you are interested in participating in this event please let me know!
April Earth Month: for Events you can attend visit Bham Now: https://bhamnow.com/2018/04/03/earth-month/?amp Three of Birmingham’s leading nature education organizations, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are holding Spring Plant Sales on consecutive weekends in April. Both events raise monies for important nature education programs.
- Alabama Writers Cooperative: The AWC Annual Conference. September 12-14, 2025 ORANGE BEACH, AL. Registration and schedule information coming soon. Be on the look out: Visit: https://alabamawriterscooperative.org/
- Phenology and Biomimicry
Answer: “Phenology is the study of the timing and cyclical patterns of events in the natural world, particularly those related to the annual life cycles of plants, animals, and other living things.” USA National Phenology Network
Answer: “Biomimicry, or biomimetics, is the practice of learning from and emulating nature's designs and strategies to solve human problems and create sustainable solutions.” The Biomimicry Institute
https://biomimicry.org › Get Inspired
Field Workshop
At the Conference: I participated in fascinating workshops that bring these terms to life. Coincidentally, I am working on the third book in The Four Elements Trilogy, which includes species like the green anole, a lizard, that scientists and engineers have applied to create the latest technology—for example the bullet train and adhesives.
- Congratulations! Alabama Writers Cooperative is honored to announce that they will be the first recipient of the Jeanie Thompson Champion of The Literary Art Award, presented by the Alabama Writer’s Forum. I am so look forward to attending the Gala March 11. As a long time member on the board this was special to me.
Claire & Big with Dr. Gillstrap
Words to Add to Our Vocabulary: Phenology and Biomimicry.
I recently attended the awesome! Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Guntersville State Park. There I participated in fascinating workshops that bring these terms to life. Coincidentally, I am working on the third book in The Four Elements Trilogy, which includes species like the green anole, a lizard, that scientists and engineers have applied to create the latest technology—for example the bullet train and adhesives. Here are a few events to attend:
Here are a few events to attend:
April is Earth Month. Events you can attend visit Bham Now: https://bhamnow.com/2018/04/03/earth-month/?amp Three of Birmingham’s leading nature education organizations, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are holding Spring Plant Sales on consecutive weekends in April. Both events raise monies for important nature education programs.
Writer Events: If you are a writer, an environmental educator or love to explore the nature, here are a few Up Coming Events:
For Writers and Nature Lovers.
- Southern Breeze Spring Mingle, Decatur, Georgia, March 25-29. Decatur, Georgia, Library. And Book Launch for my newest books in The Adventures of the Sizzling Six series.
Past events
- Alabama Writers Cooperative: The AWC Annual Conference. September 12-14, 2025 ORANGE BEACH, AL. Registration and schedule information coming soon. Be on the look out!
- Congratulations! Alabama Writers Cooperative is honored to announce that they will be the first recipient of the Jeanie Thompson Champion of The Literary Art Award, presented by the Alabama Writer’s Forum. I am so look forward to attending the Gala March 11.
https://alabamawritingworkshop.com/
My Book Launches:
- Southern Breeze Spring Mingle, Decatur, Georgia, March 25-29.
For More Fun Photos Visit: medicament.net
Eco Mysteries Reading List
19/12/24 11:02 Filed in: Environmental Fiction
“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” —Japanese proverb
The time has come the whale said, to talk of many things, of plants, and trees, and freshwater fish, octopuses, hurricane, lizards and plastic squid, tigers, racoons, and Monarch butterflies, and why the sea is boiling hot and weather pigs have wings.— Apologies to Lewis Carrol’s “The Walrus and the Carpenter.”
Whether you’re a writer or reader, I hope your pursuits continue to be successful and satisfying. As an author, “success,” in part means publishing your books to share with the world. Success also means perseverance. Case in point, my most recently published books were purchased by Star Bright Books five years ago are now finally printed.
The Japanese quote about perseverance is "石の上にも三年" (Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen), which translates to "Three years on a stone,” meaning, it takes patience to warm up a stone by sitting on it.
For all lovers of stories, this is my somewhat random list. I often choose books with topics that complement my current writing. Some are for adults, others are for ages 9-14, but have crossover appeal for all ages. Looking down this list I see that most have focus on the natural world and how humans relate to it. No surprise since I write eco adventures and climate fiction with a focus on solutions on how to conserve the natural world.
In no particular order or genre:
The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence by Zoë Schlanger
The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life by David Quammen
Alabama’s Surprising Biodiversity and Southern Rivers: Restoring America’s Freshwater Biodiversity, by Scot Duncan
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
Hurricane, Lizards and Plastic Squids by Thor Hanson
All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
Missing Mike a novel in verse by Shari Green.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Selby VanPelt
Tiger Rising by Kate Dicamillo.
Archipelago by Monique Roffey.
A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon by Karen Romano Young.
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
Flight Behavior Barbra Kingsolver.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk.
Migrations by Charlotte Mcconaghy
Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson
Song for a Whale by Lynn Kelley
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Sending Kudos to all the talented writers of our SCBWI, Southern Breeze region.
Here are my just published Eco Adventures: Vanishing Birds and Operation Terrapin Rescue that are available now from Star Bright Books.
Please send your ideas and books for the next newsletter to me: cldatnow@me.com
The Craft of Writing About Animals
29/10/24 15:56 Filed in: Environmental Fiction
Poster Design by Sonia Datrnow
I’ve been writing #eco fiction and #climate fiction with #endangered #wildlife for more than twenty years. Here are a few of the animal characters in the Adventures of The Sizzling Six series, and the Four Elements #Cli-fi Trilogy.
The list of birds includes White Storks, Chimney Swifts, Red Knots, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Piping Plovers, Broad winged Hawks, and Peregrine falcons. And animals including: Sumatran Orangutans, black-footed wallabies, koalas, diamondback terrapins, monarch butterflies, and marine species including gray whales. Plants also feature in my eco fiction and climate fiction, including the rare Cahaba Lily, magnificent White oaks, Longleaf pines of our southeastern forest, and the tropical fruit trees of Sumatra.
Why do I write about animals in my #eco and #climate fiction adventures?
Stories foster empathy for the wild animals with which we share our world.
To quote the late Steve Irwin, “We don’t own planet Earth, we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife.”
Why must care about protecting animals on our planet? Because it’s made up of diverse plants and animals that depend on the land, water, and the atmosphere to survive—as we humans do. If human-driven climate change harms these ecosystems then all life on earth will suffer.
Why do I write stories with potential dire consequences to animals? Why write about climate driven hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, floods and droughts? While my stories do not sugarcoat the truth, hopefully, they will inspire #tweens, teens, #middle graders, our next generation of voters and leaders to become #activists who make intelligent decisions and become wise steward of the Earth.
“It’s not enough to love animals; we must actively protect and preserve them. It’s our duty and responsibility as custodians of this planet.”— Daphne Sheldrick, author and conservationist who raised orphaned elephants to return to the wilds.
Read Part 11 Next: Guide to Writing About Animals in Fiction
Resources:Don’t Kill the Cat! And Other Secrets to Writing about Animals: https://careerauthors.com/dont-kill-the-cat-and-other-secrets-to-writing-about-animals/
Writing for Animals. Ashland Creek Press: https://ashlandcreekpress.com/books/writingforanimals.html