COPYCAT

Award-winning author-illustrator Christy Hale brings the fascinating concept of biomimicry to life in COPYCAT, a uniquely designed book that shows how nature inspires solutions to real-world problems.

In this fascinating and uniquely designed book (a companion to Hale's Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building) readers are exposed to the idea of nature-inspired design/biomimicry. A lovely woodcut illustration introduces each natural object and a tanka (poem) highlights the behaviors or characteristics of the natural object and how they are reflected in a human invention or innovation. Facing each illustration and text is a stunning photograph of the invention or innovation the natural object inspired. From a kingfisher and a bullet train to an octopus and a robotic arm, each pairing showcases the amazing connections between nature and an invention or innovation that has improved our lives or environment. Backmatter includes additional information about each pairing in the main part of the book, nature-inspired design/biomimicry, and tanka, plus an extensive list of sources. This book is chock-full of STEM connections: nature, natural behaviors and characteristics, engineering, design, invention, innovation, robotics, biodiversity, interdependence, sustainability, and more. A lotus leaf inspires the invention of the umbrella. A cat's eyes inspire the development of safety road reflectors. Discover how mimicking behaviors and strategies in nature lead inventors and designers to develop amazing new products, processes, and technologies that improve our lives and environment. Christy Hale has crafted an extraordinary collection that introduces readers to the surprising ways in which nature has sparked human creativity and innovation. Hale is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, and she has illustrated numerous other award-winning picture books as well. Many of the books Hale has authored are inspired by her interest in design and how it relates to all aspects of life. Come be inspired to explore - discover - create! Christy Hale is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed children's books, including four published by Lee & Low, and she has illustrated numerous other award-winning picture books as well. Hale also works in the children's book field as an art director, a designer, and an educator, offering programs at schools, libraries, and museums. She lives with her husband in Palo Alto, California. You can learn more about her at christyhale.com.