June 2013
Photo © Betsy Franco Feeney.
Illustrator of almost a dozen children's books, Betsy Franco Feeney is co-author of two picture books based on songs by award-winning singer/songwriter Christine Lavin. Amoeba Hop received a BEST BOOKS award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Recently, their second collaboration, Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, garnered a very favorable Kirkus review which begins with: "If the fate of the planet is in children's hands, reading them books like this one might be a wise idea." In two separate Kirkus reviews, Betsy's art has been described as "meticulously detailed with rare humor and imagination" and "thoughtfully detailed illustrations...tug at young reader's heartstrings".
Attending Fashion Institute of Technology, Betsy received the highest illustration award for her graduating class. She continued her studies at the School of Visual Arts. Clients include: Charles Scribners Sons, Harcourt Brace, McGraw Hill, Berkley Publishing Group, General Foods, Ballantine Books (a division of Random House), Robin & Adler Books, Joshua Morris Publishing, and Longmeadow Press.
"Franco Feeney’s thoughtfully detailed illustrations of oil-slicked sea critters will tug at young readers’ heartstrings, and an educational appendix at the end offers in-depth discussion of renewable energy forms, a DIY craft project, sheet music and a checklist of how to save energy at home. The only thing missing, in fact, is an environmental cleanup team and a life-sized windmill. Ambitious? No doubt. Especially considering that a portion of the book’s net proceeds benefits the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). Kudos to Lavin and Franco Feeney for making this songbook an entertaining—and earth-friendly—investment."
—Kirkus Reviews
Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by
Based on a familiar classic with all-new lyrics written by award-winning folksinger and songwriter Christine Lavin,  "Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" takes the tragedy of the 2010 Gulf Oil spill and weaves a hopeful tale of how clean energy can help save wildlife without harm to our environment. It also encourages children to explore a variety of renewable energy choices for a safer, cleaner future. Experts from the fields of environmental science, wildlife rehabilitation, education, marine biology, renewable energy and earth science all contributed to the science-filled appendix. A student activity illustrating wind energy as well as sheet music are also provided and a two-Song Disk is attached.
Amoeba Hop by
Look into a puddle of water that a little girl finds while taking her dog for a walk. See what happens when the lonely paramecium finds a partner through binary fission for the Amoeba Hop Dance!Real science facts are included in the back of the book and sheet music for the song included.
