Betsy Franco Feeney's Bio
Illustrator of almost a dozen picture books, Betsy Franco Feeney is also co-author of two books based on songs by award-winning singer/songwriter Christine Lavin.
She appeared with Christine at Town Hall in New York City at the invitation of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. The event was filmed and later shown on PBS television across the nation. It was in honor of the UFT (United Federation of Teachers) and all public school educators.
Christine sang her songs and played guitar while Betsy turned the pages of a giant replica of her book. With six-foot page spreads, Betsy brings that same eye-opening experience to students in schools around the country.She uses the books and music in school programs that reinforce lessons on the environment and Earth Day. What's more, as illustrator of the two books, students are treated to a look inside the bookmaking process.
AMOEBA HOP is a wildly creative song about a party in a drop of water. It's the "side splitting' tale of a lonely paramecium finding a partner through binary fission". An non-fictional appendix written in consultation with several scientists follows the song.
The second book and song, HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, has the melody of a classic folk tune with all-new lyrics based on the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. Despite its serious topic, Christine managed to weave a hopeful tale of clean energy saving wildlife with less harm to the environment. An educational appendix at the end sparks discussion about wildlife rehabilitation, renewable energy forms and how to save energy at home. A do-it-yourself pinwheel project that simulates wind energy along with the song's sheet music round out the wealth of information. HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA proceeds benefit the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA).
Betsy has been interviewed on WFDU (Farleigh Dickinson University) Radio on "Table Talk" with Bill Hahn. The interview focused on how music makes learning more accessible to children.
Recently, "Rockland Magazine, dubbed Betsy an "up-and-coming celebrity" in the lower Hudson River Valley just north of New York City.
Awards and Accolades:
AMOEBA HOP received a BEST BOOKS award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Recently, their second collaboration, HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, garnered a very favorable Kirkus review which begins with: "If the fate of the planet is in children's hands, reading them books like this one might be a wise idea."
In two separate Kirkus reviews, Betsy's art has been described as "meticulously detailed with rare humor and imagination" and "thoughtfully detailed illustrations...tug at young reader's heartstrings".
Betsy graduated from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology )in New York City with high honors receiving the top Illustration award for her graduating class.
Betsy lives in Piermont, NY with her husband and their Yorkie, Annie, a tiny dog with a big bark. Please visit her website for more information about her books and school programs: www.betsyfrancofeeney.com
Illustrator of almost a dozen picture books, Betsy Franco Feeney is also co-author of two books based on songs by award-winning singer/songwriter Christine Lavin.
She appeared with Christine at Town Hall in New York City at the invitation of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. The event was filmed and later shown on PBS television across the nation. It was in honor of the UFT (United Federation of Teachers) and all public school educators.
Christine sang her songs and played guitar while Betsy turned the pages of a giant replica of her book. With six-foot page spreads, Betsy brings that same eye-opening experience to students in schools around the country.She uses the books and music in school programs that reinforce lessons on the environment and Earth Day. What's more, as illustrator of the two books, students are treated to a look inside the bookmaking process.
AMOEBA HOP is a wildly creative song about a party in a drop of water. It's the "side splitting' tale of a lonely paramecium finding a partner through binary fission". An non-fictional appendix written in consultation with several scientists follows the song.
The second book and song, HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, has the melody of a classic folk tune with all-new lyrics based on the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. Despite its serious topic, Christine managed to weave a hopeful tale of clean energy saving wildlife with less harm to the environment. An educational appendix at the end sparks discussion about wildlife rehabilitation, renewable energy forms and how to save energy at home. A do-it-yourself pinwheel project that simulates wind energy along with the song's sheet music round out the wealth of information. HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA proceeds benefit the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA).
Betsy has been interviewed on WFDU (Farleigh Dickinson University) Radio on "Table Talk" with Bill Hahn. The interview focused on how music makes learning more accessible to children.
Recently, "Rockland Magazine, dubbed Betsy an "up-and-coming celebrity" in the lower Hudson River Valley just north of New York City.
Awards and Accolades:
AMOEBA HOP received a BEST BOOKS award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Recently, their second collaboration, HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, garnered a very favorable Kirkus review which begins with: "If the fate of the planet is in children's hands, reading them books like this one might be a wise idea."
In two separate Kirkus reviews, Betsy's art has been described as "meticulously detailed with rare humor and imagination" and "thoughtfully detailed illustrations...tug at young reader's heartstrings".
Betsy graduated from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology )in New York City with high honors receiving the top Illustration award for her graduating class.
Betsy lives in Piermont, NY with her husband and their Yorkie, Annie, a tiny dog with a big bark. Please visit her website for more information about her books and school programs: www.betsyfrancofeeney.com