Albino Animals
Darby Creek made the NEATEST Albino Animal bookmarks, seen here front and back. I wish I could have a million to give out to all the kids that want them. But they are JUST about all gone. Have to wait for the Cryptids bookmark, I guess. : )
 
 
I couldn't figure out a way to get these pictures from a printed page to my website, but I finally scanned them to post. They aren't as clear as I'd like them to be, but I wanted you to see how great Liberty Lake Elementary School is. Check out these FANTASTIC albino animal masks they made to celebrate my school visit. There were also murals (see below) and baby chicken collections and wild dog drawings and dinosaur reports. It was WONDERFUL and I'm grateful for the beautiful projects. I feel so lucky I got to see them, and all those great kids. Thanks for having me!
 
 
 

About Albino Animals...

2005 PMA Ben Franklin Award Winner
     Tattered Cover Book Store on the Award HERE.
2005 NCTE Orbis Pictus recommended
2005 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers book
2005 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Nominee
2005 ALSC Notable Books list Nominee
2004 NYPL Top 100 Children's Books to Read and Share List

Children's Crown Award finalist

Virginia State Reading Association recommended

Recommended, Michigan Reading Association's Ed Spicer
"...an educational, yet fun book full of intriguing facts and beautiful, color photographs perfect for children age 10 and up. Halls captures, not only the fascinating facts about this extraordinary condition, but also the many interesting stories of famous albino animals."
~Stacey Lloyd, BellaOnline Jan 2005
"...cool but creepy all-white children's book...about cool but creepy all-white animals."
Philadelphia Weekly, August 2004
"The wild facts and eye-popping visuals will encourage children to learn more about the underlying basic science ... surprisingly substantive picture book for older reader."
Booklist, May 2004
"Author Kelly Milner Halls includes the causes of albinism, the health implications for the animal in question and many specific cases. Written for ages 9-14, younger children will be drawn in by the many photographs. A great learning experience for those interested in albino animals in the wild and at home."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 18, 2004
Sue Bradford Edwards
"Albino Animals is an informed and informative picture book about albinism.  Captivating color photography...enhances this fascinating and straightforwardly scientific presentation which is especially recommended for young readers."
Midwest Book Review, May 2004
"What a great topic to grab kids (and frankly, practically anyone)! This is a delightfully written book with great photographs on a fascinating subject."
Kathleen Baxter, Author of GOTCHA! NONFICTION BOOKTALKS TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT READING and GOTCHA AGAIN, that books sequel.
"From the striking cover of a white mouse with red eyes (who is a real albino) to pictures of all species inside, including the white tiger (who isn't a real albino), this book will attract browsers and students alike.  Albinos of all types are included, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, even insects. (An albino cockroach? Who knew?) Many of the animals have been bred for their albinism, others occurred naturally in the wild and were studied by scientists.  The book is heavily footnoted, with lots of interviews, print and online sources.  The design really raises this book to the higher level, however.  The pages are spare in the use of color, with only black, white and red print, which allows the animal to stand out against the page."
Capitol Choices
Published by Darby Creek Publishing, May 2004.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Please explore these photographer's websites. They contributed beautiful work to ALBINO ANIMALS to make it all it could be.  THANK YOU to these and all the photoraphers featured in the book. If your website isn't featured here but should be, please drop me an email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .
Randy Emmitt --  www.rlephoto.com -- contributed the lovely albino butterfly photograph to the book.
Michael Legg -- http://www.michaellegg.com/bio.html -- provided the albino ray photograph.
J.P. Clare -- http://www.pbase.com/image/28756256 -- took the amazing Axolotl salamander photo.
 

Book Sections

Reptiles and Amphibians

   Featuring real-life stories about:

Snakes
Turtles
Frogs
Salamanders
Tadpoles
Alligators
and more...

Sea Mammals

   Featuring real-life stories about:

Orca whales
Sea Lions
Humpback whales
Dolphins
Sea Otters
and more...

Small Land Mammals

   Featuring real-life stories about:

Bengal Cats
Pug puppies
Bats
Squirrels
Koala bears
Ferrets
Mice
and more...

Large Land Mammals

   Featuring real-life stories about:

Buffalo
Kangaroos
Gorillas
Deer
and more...

Fish and Shellfish

   Featuring real-life stories about:

Rainbow Trout
Crabs
Sharks
Lobster
Stingrays
and more...

Birds

   Featuring real-life stories about:

Hummingbirds
Hawks
Peacocks
Finches
Penguins
and more...

Insects and Plants

   Featuring real-life stories about

Locust
Water Scorpions
Roaches
plants
and more...

 
 
Albino Salamander


Migaloo, the Albino Humpback


Albino Sea Lion


Albino Bat, Casper.


Albino Bengal Cats


Albino Kangaroo, Mulali


Albino Buffalo


Albino Stingray


Albino Hummingbird
 
 
 
 

Kids' books snare adults, too

Huntsville Times
Sunday, September 12, 2004
By KAY CAMPBELL
Times Staff Writer This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

(AN EXCERPT)

"Albino Animals," by Kelly Milner Halls: Darby Creek Publishing, 72 pages, 18.95.

The e-mail took me by surprise about a month ago: A writer in Washington had seen my story on a miniature white mule. Would I be interested in reviewing her book on albino animals?

Pleasure (every writer loves it when someone actually reads what she's written) mingled with dread. What if the book were bad?

The book arrived, and I could confidently report that this is a neat book, chock full of interesting photos and facts about animals whose skin (or scales or feathers) produce no melanin.

Author Kelly Milner Halls' other book, "Dinosaur Mummies," was chosen as a 2003 Booklist Top-Ten Science/Technology Book for Youth. Her "Albino Animals," already a Junior Library Guild selection, should get similar consideration.

She clearly and simply explains how albinism occurs and explores the risks to such animals in the wild and their attraction for pet owners.
 
 
Miss Vicki with her favorite NASCAR superstar. Click this image to visit Pug Rescue of North Carolina's website.
 

Miss Vicki,
the Albino Pug

On behalf of Ms. Vicki, the albino pug, I would like to extend our thanks for the excellent article in your book (Albino Animals). We are committed to educating the public about the pitfalls of this kind of breeding and abuse. While I love her very much I am sad she was born and lived such a hard life. She continues to amaze all who have known her since she came to us. We are now sponsored by the NASCAR driver, Jeremy Mayfield, whose one wish was to meet her in person. You can see them at our website, www.pugrescuenc.org . While we were there Animal Planet filmed him receiving our Top Sponsor award. This should appear in the last quarter of the year.

Lana J. Applegate
June 23, 2004
 
Here I am at Liberty Lake Elementary with one of the albino animals murals. Cyd Rees rocks, and so does everyone at Lake Liberty! Thanks for having me.
 
Children's Literature - Nancy Garhan Attebury

Pick up this fact-filled book and follow the tale of albino animals who exist in a world of color. Beginning with the cover-page photo of the albino mouse to Snowflake the albino gorilla featured on the back cover, this book presents a well-told tale of a path less traveled. Hall's introduction offers an excellent explanation about how albinism occurs, making it easy for readers to grasp the concept. Seven different groupings of animals are covered. Groupings include reptiles and amphibians as well as fish and shellfish. The accompanying photographs are excellent. Close-ups of a stingray and hummingbird, both albinos, are just a few of the creatures that will warrant a second look. Informative sidebars are found on many pages. The section on "The Rarest of the Rare" informs the readers as to why they may never be seen by humans. The author rounds out her book with a section on humans, a topic that warrants a book of its own. The pictures will be enjoyed by even elementary aged children, but the best target age is 10 and up. Science and biology teachers will gain student attention when they use this book in the classroom. This book is a Junior Library Guild Selection. 2004, Darby Creek Publishing, Ages 10 to 14.
School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Halls's curiosity and awe of albino animals is evident in her writing as she tracks down incidents of this genetic wonder around the world and across species. After overcoming the incredible odds against inheriting the recessive gene for albinism from both parents, these unique creatures begin life having already used up the greater part of their luck. Their striking white appearance leaves them exposed to the sharp eyes of predators, and the lack of melanin in their skin makes them particularly vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun. The author's discussion consists mainly of a reiteration of these two dangers for each new animal she introduces, resulting in somewhat tedious repetition. The stories rarely have happy endings. The striking cover photo of an albino mouse is likely to draw in curious animal lovers, but the rodent's bulging red eyes provide a clue that this is not a cute, snuggly book. The effect of a white animal on a white background may be appealing on the cover, but the internal photographs become washed out and at times leave their subjects looking more freakish than they truly are. Still, this is an acceptable addition for libraries seeking to satisfy a demand for information on this intriguing topic.-Jenna Miller, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Booklist

Gr. 3-7. Piercing, ruby-red mouse eyes peer out from the stark, white cover of this introduction to albino creatures. In chapters grouped by animal category (reptiles and amphibians, sea mammals, and so on), the lively text cites real-life examples of albino animals and discusses the special concerns that albinism raises in each species. Halls' text is clear and straightforward, but younger children may still have trouble grasping the complicated genetic concepts. The sharp, close-up images of startling, snow-white species will attract a wide range of browsers, though, as will the bizarre anecdotes: Miss Vicki, an albino pug, wears "doggles" to protect her sensitive eyes from sunlight. A final chapter about human albinism echoes Halls' message: all instances of albinism are "beautiful examples of nature's diversity." The wild facts and eye-popping visuals will encourage children to learn more about the underlying basic science. A glossary and a bibliography close this substantive picture book for older readers. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

 
explorerelemmay24_7inches

Reading buddies at Explorer Elementary in San Diego share ALBINO ANIMALS on May 24th.   Thanks, Roxy, for sharing this picture.
Comments? Email me: KellyMilnerH@aol.com

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