HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, weaves a hopeful tale of how clean energy can power our world with little harm to wildlife or the environment.
It all began with a hole in the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. In April 2010 there was a "crack in the pipe in the hole in the bottom of the sea . . ." So goes the song by celebrated songwriter Christine Lavin in this updated version of a familiar folk tune. Hole in the Bottom of the Sea (HITBOTS), a musical retelling of the oil disaster, follows four creatures living in and around the Gulf of Mexico who were affected by the spill. In a story that only the musical genius of Ms. Lavin could create, HITBOTS weaves a hopeful tale of how clean energy can help save wildlife.
Accompanying Ms. Lavin's clever lyrics are lively illustrations by Betsy Franco Feeney, following the plight of the animals who stick together through thick and thin right to the squeaky-clean end!
A science-filled appendix written by Ms. Franco-Feeney, with the collaboration of several experts, follows the song. Not only will kids read about how we care for our precious wildlife when accidents happen, they also learn about the benefits of renewable energy. To illustrate wind energy in a fun way, instructions on how to make a pinwheel are included, suggestions on saving energy at home, discussion on renewable vs non-renewable energy, and complete sheet music is available as a download when you scan the QR code on the book's back cover.
The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association compliments the author, Christine Lavin, and the artist, Betsy Franco Feeney, for their book, Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, which introduces children to the value of wildlife and to habitat preservation necessary for survival of wild creatures. Children are the hope for a better future. By making them aware of the human dependence on oil and the inherent problems associated with oil production, young people may be encouraged to conserve and to develop better alternatives for use in the future. With a simple text and stimulating graphics, the children can learn important lessons that still are fun for them.
Instead of a music CD, the second edition has a QR code which links to many websites including a youtube music video of the song and artwork.
Feeney, Elizabeth R.: - Betsy Franco-Feeney, illustrator of a dozen children's books, co-authored and illustrated Amoeba Hop, a book based on another Christine Lavin song. Amoeba Hop garnered a Science Books and Films'/American Assoociation for the Advancement of Science's "Best Books" award. In 2022, her book Jewels of the Sea... the Hunt for Floating Treasure was chosen as one of Kirkus Reviews' "Great Indie Books Worth Discovering". Jewels of the Sea is a whimsical tale about the tiny, yet mighty, diatom. The second half of the book is packed with science facts about these microscopic jewels. "In Franco-Feeney's well-conceived work, sure to spark a sense of discovery, grade school-age readers are introduced to these creatures and to the essential roles they play in the aquatic food chain, medicine, biomedical research, industry, and the very health of the planet."-Kirkus ReviewsBetsy lives in the Hudson River Valley just north of New York City. She loves capturing the beauty surrounding her with a paintbrush, a camera, or even a microscope!
Lavin, Christine: - Christine Lavin is a multi award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist/recording artist from New York performing concerts all over the US, Canada and points beyond. The book The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet, written by Neil deGrasse Tyson, head of the Hayden Planetarum in New York City, includes the complete lyrics to Christine's song "Planet X," which details Pluto's history and planetary-status debate in rhyme. Christine's book, Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-Wha (with a forward by actor/playwright/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels) won the 43rd Annual ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for excellence in writing about music. During much of the pandemic, Christine made ends meet by performing online concerts, writing and recording songs, selling her books and CDs from her website and creating videos for her music. She now creates videos for other artists (including Michael Feinstein, Noel Paul Stookey, Janis Ian, Judy Collins, Craig Werth, Julie Gold, David Ippolito and others).
