Betsy Franco
Children's Book Author

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Bees, Snails, & Peacock Tails

"The duo behind Birdsongs (2007) teams up again in this winning introduction to the patterns and shapes found in the natural world. From the dazzling eyes of the male peacock’s feathers to the hexagonal chambers of the bee’s hive, Franco’s spirited poems explore the many forms and functions of nature’s geometry." starred review Booklist

"This inviting book is bound to spark more careful observation of the shapes and colors in the reader's natural world." starred review Publisher's Weekly


Puffer Fish

The animal known as the puffer fish
does not want to be someone's gourmet dish.
Whenever it senses there's something to fear,
it puffs itself up till it's almost a sphere.


Bees

Study a beehive
and you will see
the mathematical genius of the bee.

The hexagons
you'll find inside
fit side
by side
by side
by side.

This math is passed
mysteriously
from worker bee
to worker bee!





Selected Works

1. Picture book
Bees, Snails, & Peacock Tails
"Franco's spirited poems...Jenkins' masterful collage work."
--Booklist, starred review
2. teen-written poetry anthologies
You Hear Me? poems and writing by teenage boys; Things I Have to Tell You, poems and writing by teenage girls
"...honest, raw and sometimes tender selections..."
-School Library Journal
3. picture book
Birdsongs
"Celebrate the free concert that birds perform..."
--Publisher's Weekly, starred review
4. picture book
Mathematickles!
"Word lovers might stand a better chance of becoming math lovers..."
-Horn Book, starred review
5. children's poetry
Counting Our Way to the 100th Day
"the bouncy, humorous poems include an amazing variety of math concepts ...delivered with a light touch"
--Kirkus Review



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