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Meet the Critters

Click on the Curious Critters below for more information (PDFs).

Author Readings

David reads the Blue Jay from Curious Critters – Buy the Book

David reads the Ohio Crawfish from Curious Critters – Buy the Book

Audio Recordings

David reads from his Curious Critters picture book – Buy the Book and CD

Play - American Bullfrog

Play - American Toad

American Bullfrog – voice by David FitzSimmons

American Toad – voice by Mark Sebastian Jordan

American Bullfrog voice by David FitzSimmons

American Toad voice by Mark Sebastian Jordan

David reads from his Curious Critters picture book – Buy the Book and CD

Striped Skunk voice by David FitzSimmons

Great Horned Owl voice by Mark Sebastian Jordan

Play - Striped Skunk

Play - Great Horned Owl

Striped Skunk – voice by David FitzSimmons

Great Horned Owl – voice by Mark Sebastian Jordan

CURIOUS CRITTERS

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Interviews with David FitzSimmons

NBC-TV (Cleveland, WKYC) Interview w/ Jim Donovan

David FitzSimmons talks with Barbara Gray about creating his Curious Critters picture books.

CTN-TV (Ann Arbor, Michigan) Art Fair Close Up Interview w/ Dana Denha

NBC-TV (Miami, WTVJ) Live Miami at 11 Interview

Coloring Pages

Word Searches

Photography Tips and Techniques

Photo Technique: Light Tents

To produce the Curious Critters animal photos, David places animals inside a “Light Tent.” Often used for product photography because of its even lighting and plain white background, David finds that portraits of animals can look stunning photographed in such a way.

David finds some animals out in nature, but frequently he works with nature centers, rehabilitation centers, zoos and aquariums, and various other locations focused on animal care and education.

Photo Tip: The Eyes Have It

When photographing animals—including dogs, cats, and, yes, humans—make sure that their eyes are visible and in focus. Most people, when they look at animal photos, look at the eyes first.

Where do you look first? Try an experiment: As the images of owls change, pay attention to where you look first.

Curious Critters Learn!