The Clues Are in the Poo, from Reycraft Books, Reveals One Woman Scientist’s Quest for Knowledge
This picture book presents a true story of dinosaurs, discovery, determination, and diversity.
New Rochelle, NY, July 31, 2023—Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books takes readers on a fascinating and inspiring journey through the life and work of a woman paleontologist in The Clues Are in the Poo: The Story of Dinosaur Scientist Karen Chin . Written by Jane Kurtz with Chin, illustrated by Francisco Riolobos, and published on July 20, 2023, the picture book reveals what can be learned from the study of dinosaur droppings—and how the natureloving Chin became an expert in that field after growing up with no interest in dinosaurs whatsoever.
The book, supported by Riolobos’s charming, vivid illustrations, provides a glimpse at what Earth was like when dinosaurs and other ancient creatures reigned supreme. It also traces Chin’s personal progression from a girl filled with wonder and curiosity about nature to becoming first a park ranger and then a scientist specializing in prehistoric poo. In her quest to learn about how everything in nature connects to everything else, Chin came to realize that many of the answers she sought could be found in fossilized fecal matter from the distant past. And in entering a field of science that had previously been dominated by white men, Chin—who is of African American, Chinese, Native American, and European descent—helped blaze a trail for women and people with diverse backgrounds.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Jane Kurtz is an awardwinning author who has published more than forty books—fiction and nonfiction, picture books and novels. She grew up mostly in Ethiopia, where she now does a lot of volunteer work helping kids get books. She also is on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Program in Children’s and Young Adult Literature, where she works with adults who want to become professional writers.
Karen Chin is a paleontologist who is considered one of the world’s leading experts in coprolites, or fossilized dinosaur poo. She teaches at the University of Colorado in Boulder and travels the world in pursuit of clues about life during the dinosaur era.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Francisco Riolobos is an illustrator from Seville, Spain, who moved to Barcelona to pursue his passion: illustration. Nature and pop culture, cartoons, dinosaurs, and video games inspire him to create new images and characters. He likes to come up with new visual languages, where clear shapes and bright colors are always present.
Kurtz had approached Chin about doing the book after reading several interviews with her about her work in paleontology. “I thought, what a perfect way to engage young readers with science,” Kurtz said. “What if I could combine two fascinating things—dinosaurs and poo? Karen and I both also saw that her life could be a model for young people, including those who think science isn’t for them.”
Both Kurtz and Chin see the book as a way to get young readers excited about the world around them and about their own futures. “My hope,” Kurtz said, “is that everyone who reads The Clues Are in the Poo will walk away more curious, more eager to explore, and with more understanding of how we know what we know about things—like dinosaurs—that we’ve never seen.”
“I hope that this book shows children that they can pursue their career passions,” Chin said, “even if they come from different backgrounds, take unconventional pathways, are interested in unusual careers, or are atypical in other ways.” She added, “I also hope that it demonstrates that we are always learning on our journey through life.”
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: Reycraft Books partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.