~Spring 2006 ~
Children’s (illustrated)
 

The LOOK WHO LIVES...
Series

Look Who Lives in the Desert was published in April of 2004 by Arizona Highways Books and has to-date sold over 15,000 copies. Look Who Lives in the Desert combines whimsical illustration, children’s verse and accessible scientific fact to entertain as well as teach children and parents about animal life in the deserts of the American Southwest.

The Look Who Lives Series will capitalize and expand on the success of Look Who Lives in the Desert by introducing children to animals in other parts of the world. The author has completed text for Look Who Lives in the Ocean and illustrations are pending. Other titles in the series might include:

Look Who Lives in the Rainforest
Look Who Lives on the Ice
Look Who Lives Down Under
Look Who Lived in the Past (dinosaurs)
Look Who Needs Help (endangered species).

Contributing to the sales of the first book (and integral to the potential of The Series) is its proven educational value. Look Who Lives in the Desert meets 101 Arizona State Standards in Language Arts and Science and is currently used in classrooms and educational programs for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The author schedules 25-30 full-day elementary school visits annually to conduct educational programs with students, emphasizing literacy and wildlife conservation. She also conducts continuing education workshops for teachers, providing original book-based curriculum and new ideas on the use of non-fiction trade books in education.

The value of the author’s platform to the ongoing success of Look Who Lives in the Desert and to the sales potential of The Series is a key component of this project. Including her school visits, Ms. Bessesen has made over 100 appearances (lectures, signings, network television and radio) in support of Look Who Lives in the Desert. A list of these events, and her growing itinerary for 2006 are available upon request.

In addition to her work as an author, Brooke Bessesen spent several years on staff at the Phoenix Zoo as a certified veterinary technician and on-camera animal expert (appearing on local and national television). She hosted the Emmy Award-winning television series What’s Up and most recently written and produced segments for National Geographic Channel, Style Network and Discovery Health. Additionally, Brooke writes a monthly column called Get Real for the Arizona newspaper, Take 5.

~proposal available upon request~