Written out of necessity and love of the fantastic creatures of the desert, Darlene Kryza Hartigan has just published Kiss Rattle Slither through AuthorHouse. Targeted at children ages 2 to 4, this is a great book for parents to buy their children, as it teaches caution in approaching the reptiles, insects and arachnids of the Southwest. It also makes a beautiful gift with mass appeal to grandparents, teachers, and the tourist market.
Kiss Rattle Slither is a non-fiction book about the wonderful, yet dangerous desert-dwelling creatures of the Southwest -- coral snake to kissing bug. Most young children are fascinated with desert species, but not all, no matter how bizarre or beautiful, are safe to approach or touch. Children's fascination with desert creatures shouldn't be stifled; a little knowledge can protect them from potential harm. The simple lesson learned within these cleverly written and beautifully illustrated pages are for children and parents to properly identify potentially harmful insects, arachnids and reptiles. This book is an important resource for all children living in the Southwest and a must have for any family who likes to vacation in the glorious deserts of the United States and Mexico.
Writer, Darlene Kryza Hartigan, moved from Chicago to the southwestern United States in 2001, prompted by her desire to explore a life outside the city and get more in touch with her natural environment. She makes her living as a graphic designer and writer on a remote ranch on the Arizona/Mexico border. As the mother of a precocious and fearless daughter living in the high desert grasslands, she has found the writing of this book to be not only a necessity but also an adventure.
Illustrator, Sylvia Saenz, has long taken an interest in nature. As a poet and teacher, she made nature observation and writing an integral part of her curriculum. Since retiring to an isolated ranch in an Arizona canyon, she has continued to observe wildlife as close neighbors. In this setting she is inspired to paint the watercolors she shows in galleries throughout southern Arizona.
