Search for the Golden Moon Bear

A lunchtime talk on November 22 will feature nature book writer Sy Montgomery and Gary Galbreath, Associate Director of the Program in Biological Sciences. All staff are invited to attend the talk, which is scheduled to run from noon to 1 p.m. in the Library's Forum Room.

How do you write great nonfiction science books for kids?

Sometimes it means hiking through land-mined jungles, pulling hair out of 300-pound moon bears with your eyebrow tweezers, and -- most exciting of all -- collaborating with a Northwestern biology professor.

For her latest book for children, Search for the Golden Moon Bear, author Sy Montgomery chronicles her expeditions through Southeast Asia with the book's scientific hero, Northwestern's Dr. Gary Galbreath. Braving bandits, land mines, and unexploded ordinance, they explored Cambodian jungles, prowled Laotian wildlife markets, visited hill tribe villages and Thai animal rescue centers -- all in search of a mysterious golden bear previously unknown to science.

Montgomery has enjoyed an extraordinary career. Researching her award-winning books, films, and articles, Montgomery has been chased by an angry silverback gorilla in Zaire, bitten by a vampire bat in Costa Rica, and deftly undressed by an orangutan in Borneo. Join her from noon to 1 pm on Monday, November 22 in the Forum Room of the Library. Her talk will feature a slide show on her just-published book for grades 4-8, and a discussion of how an author can make science and nature vivid, exciting, and meaningful for children.

After the talk, copies of the new book will be available for purchase and personal inscription by both the author and Dr. Galbreath.

Sponsored by the Program of Biological Sciences, the School of Education and Social Policy, and University Library.

Leslie Bjorncrantz
Bibliographer