Dr. DNA & the Anaconda Invasion - Hardcover

Lucas Miller

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0978913906 ISBN 13: 9780978913908

Publisher: BioRhythms Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

South America's anacondas have a bone to pick with Hollywood--so they head north to take over Tinsel Town! While they're away from home, the population of their favorite prey, the capybara, skyrockets! The giant rodents gobble up every plant in sight and it's soon hilariously clear that someone needs to get the anacondas back home and "on the job." This sounds like a mission for Dr. DNA, Defender of Nature & Animals! Our hero takes on the adaptations of one creature after another in his never ending quest to maintain the balance of nature. Acclaimed author, songwriter and educator Lucas Miller blends science and humor in an action-packed story that unfolds in clever, comic-style illustrations by Sherlock and Amy Watson. An interview with anaconda expert Dr. Jesus Rivas follows the story to reveal some of the facts about the world's heaviest snake. This whimsical eco-adventure is sure to delight and inspire the budding zoologist in your backyard!

About this title

About the Author:

Lucas Miller earned a degree in zoology from Miami University and has performed for over one million children. Blending stories, songs, humor and science, Lucas is also the author of "Fifi the Ferocious" and the creator of three, award-winning CD's. Visit lucasmiller(dot)net to sample his other works and learn about his school author visits.

Review:

I ve never met a child that wasn t curious about snakes and other creepy crawlies. Now, some are more bold and eager than others, but they all have questions. They all want to look, even if they don t all want to touch. Dr. DNA and the Anaconda Invasion will please them all, regardless of their squeamish level. Dr. DNA is a superhero sort of who dispels the myths surrounding one of nature s most mysterious and often terrifying creatures, the great anaconda. By morphing into just the right creature sort of Dr. DNA helps balance fact from hysteria. I say sort of because Dr. DNA is a bit unbalanced himself, in a zany and entertaining way. In Dr. DNA s first adventure, giant snakes take over Hollywood because they re tired of the bad rap they get in the movies. Back home in South America, their absence leads to a population surge of their favorite prey. Apparently, capybaras (a rodent) really know how to throw a party! So, with Hollywood under siege and South America up to their cucarachas in capybaras, Dr. DNA has his work cut out for him. I laughed out loud, several times. The humor tricks aren t new, they re just silly, and fun the best kind. The art is colorful and keeps right in step with the text. There are plenty of visual jokes to please the kids. As an adult (dang!), I appreciated the spread of facts, by anaconda researcher Dr. Jesus Rivas. This is a nice addition and will help this book pass for nonfiction with the more compassionate librarians and teachers. --Susan Harkins, BookPleasures.com

Though bound and printed in the style of a picturebook, Dr. DNA and the Anaconda Invasion is actually a short, colorful, and wacky graphic novel for young readers, about a sudden invasion of South America's anacondas in Hollywood. The anacondas are unhappy because Hollywood portrays them as bad guys, but while they're away from home, the population of capybaras - their favorite prey - skyrockets! The capybaras are gobbling every bit of green in sight, Hollywood is panicking because of the snake takeover, and it's up to Dr. DNA, defender of nature and animals, to set things right! Using his amazing shapeshifting powers, Dr. DNA listens to the snakes' point of view in this whimsical and fun eco-adventure. The last few pages are devoted to real-life anaconda expert Dr. Jesus Rivas, who shares scientific facts about the world's heaviest snake with young readers. A "must-have" story for budding young herpetologists and zoologists, and just plain fun to read. --Midwest Book Review

Local children s entertainer Lucas Miller is known for his catchy songs that teach zoology and environmentalism. His first book, Fifi the Ferocious, expanded on the theme with words and pictures. Now Miller adds Dr. DNA and the Anaconda Invasion to his list of accomplishments and it s truly a feast for the eyes. Lavishly illustrated by Leon Valley artist Sherlock (a.k.a. Sherry Watson), the book explores the habitat of the anaconda, demystifying these amazing snakes with humor and lots of interesting facts (did you know anacondas don t eat people?). Told in comic strip format, the book will appeal to kids ages 6 to 10. As an added bonus, Miller includes a Q&A with real life anaconda researcher, Dr. Jesús Rivas. Little known fact: Miller took special care to have the book printed on recycled paper. Dr. DNA and the Anaconda Invasion truly is a fantastic book. --Parent:Wise Austin

About this edition

• Publisher: BioRhythms Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0978913906
• ISBN 13: 9780978913908
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Editor: Harold Underdown
• Illustrator: Sherlock And Amy Watson