Als mijn moeder een vogelbekdier was... Over zoogdierbaby's en hun moeders

English Version:  If My Mom Were a Platypus 

Spanish Version: Si mi mama fuese un ornitorrinco

Hebrew Version: If My Mom Were a Platypus (Hebrew Edition)

• Caregiving Foundations 

• Mammalian Biology 

• Birth, Nursing & Growth

• Adaptation & Survival

• Maternal Bonds & Parenting

• Life Science

Free Teacher's Guide is available in English and Spanish.

National Science & Math Standards curricula articulation available.

About the Author

Dia L. Michels is an award-winning internationally published science and parenting writer, she is the author or editor of over a dozen books for both children and adults. Her books have been translated into Spanish, Dutch, Hebrew, Chinese, and Korean. A popular speaker, she lectures frequently at conferences, universities, libraries, and schools around the country. She teaches classes on mammal reproduction and lactation at children’s and science museums around the U.S. and is a commentator for Public Radio, International. Her articles have been published in People, Parenting, Mothering, Parents, Baby Talk, Family Fun, Nurturing, and the Washington Post. She lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC, with her husband, Tony Gualtieri, their three children, and four cats and a dog. She can be reached at Dia@PlatypusMedia.com.  

About the Illustrator

Andrew Barthelmes is a New York based illustrator and graphic designer. A graduate of The School of Visual Arts, his illustrations have appeared in publications such as The New Yorker, Ladies' Home Journal, Street & Smith's Sports, and The Wall Street Journal. In addition to the Platypus book, he also illustrated Herman the Loudmouth. He has been a children's book designer for Random House, Inc. and is currently creating new children's books for Reader's Digest. He lives in Peekskill, NY with his wife Barbara, and new baby, Julia.

“I am blown away by this book! This is one of the most engaging nonfiction books I have ever read. It correlates so well with our science curriculum and the Common Core State Standards. The Activity Guide and Hands-On Demonstrations are so teacher friendly. I cannot say enough positive things about this material!” —Sonya Smith, Science Coordinator, ATOMS2XP (Advancing Teachers of Middle School Science) and IMPACT2 (In-depth Mathematical Practices and Content Teacher Training), Miss. State, MS

"The journey that a mammal takes is considerably different for various mammals as the reader will find out by reading this engaging book. This very informative book contains a table of contents, which lists platypuses, African elephants, koalas, golden lion tamarin monkeys, Pacific gray whales, giraffes, least shrews, hooded seals, Mexican free-tailed bats, lions, polar bears, hippopotamuses, orangutans and finally humans. There is a glossary with keywords, and finally an index. This would be an excellent reference book for the elementary classroom. I highly recommend this book!" -Lori Cirucci, NSTA Recommends

“Children are curious about the natural world around them. We are always looking for good materials to help teachers respond to their students' questions and were delighted to find If My Mom Were A Platypus. The book uses the simple concept of comparing offspring to expose students to life cycles, environments, animal behavior—the wonderful variety of life on Earth. Not only is the book as engaging visually as it is verbally, but the Activity Guide gives teachers the tools they need to present, explain and expand upon the book's content. If My Mom Were A Platypus is a real asset for teachers delving into the world of mammals.” —Dr. Inés L. Cifuentes, Director, Carnegie Academy for Science Education, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC

“If My Mom Were A Platypus is enjoyable, accurate and informative. It will be useful, indeed, in primary and middle school curricula. I know how difficult—but essential— it is to have all of the facts right, yet still be interesting and readable. This book manages both very well. I hope that it ends up in many, many schools!” —Don E. Wilson, Ph.D., Editor, Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife

“If My Mom Were A Platypus fits perfectly into our 5th grade Animals curriculum. The students greeted the book like eager beavers – devouring each chapter and delving right into the next one. In class after class, they read beyond the required reading, propelled by excitement over what they were learning. The Activity Guide is chock-full of ways to explore the text, but the book is so full of fascinating facts, I was hardly wanting for ideas. What the kids really loved was writing up quiz questions they learned from the book, then testing each other on their newfound knowledge. This book is a natural for elementary and middle school science classes!” —Catherine Taylor, 5th Gr. Science Teacher, Stuart Hobson Museum Magnet MS, Washington, DC

“This book is an amazing achievement! Zoologists will get lost in the accuracy and detail of the descriptions of birth and feeding. Children will be captivated by the beautiful pictures and stories of mammal mother and baby pairs. I was surprised by how many new facts I learned. And what could be more entertaining yet educationally valuable for a child to see than that mammals—whether human, bear, bat, giraffe, seal, or shrew—all have important things in common. The only problem with it is that big adult kids might butt out smaller kids in their effort to read the book!” —James McKenna, Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, author, Sleeping With Your Baby: A Parent’s Guide to Cosleeping, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana

“I help bring more than 200 human animal babies into this world each year. Each one of them is a small miracle. If My Mom Were A Platypus brings to life the birth stories of human beings, as well as those of thirteen other mammals—some similar in nature to humans, others, strikingly different. It is a wonderful exploration into the process of birth and the challenges of maturation!” —David Downing, MD, Director of Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

“Completely engrossing! Most readers are sure to be surprised by something they learn about these seemingly familiar animals... A wonderful gift book for expectant parents or families with children." —Carolyn Baily, Foreward Magazine

“If My Mom Were A Platypus is an entrancing children’s book covering all sorts of animal babies—platypus, koala, lion, orangutan, whale, shrew and more. The beautifully-illustrated text pulls in children by pretending they are the baby. If My Mom Were A Platypus describes in detail how different babies eat, learn, grow and mature. This fact-loaded book delights both adults and children and is extraordinarily hard to put down. Even the ending is superb. Includes glossary and index and highlights endangered or threatened species. Activity guides are available at PlatypusMedia.com. Perfect for school or home use. Ages 4-adult.” —Dr. Kathleen Kain, Science Educator, Science Spiders Newsletter

“Narrated by 14 mammal babies, this book describes how each baby mammal progresses from infancy to adulthood. It explains that mammal babies are different from most other animals, in that they need their mother in order to learn how to survive on their own. Having recently become a first-time mother, I also really liked the fact that the chapter on baby humans presented childbirth and breastfeeding in a natural, positive manner. An educational and thoroughly enjoyable book!” —Shelley Spohr, Office of Natural Resources, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Mashantucket, CT. Published in Science Books & Films, Vol. 42, No. 2, Pg 86.

“The cycle of life goes from conception to pregnancy to birth to lactation to maturity to death. The universality of the life cycle is beautifully captured in this stunning book. … Seeing the lifecycle as a natural process helps children understand how important lactation is to the health, growth and survival of all mammals.” —Ruth Lawrence, MD, Author, Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, NY

“I was absolutely ecstatic when I discovered If My Mom Were a Platypus. Not only did I love it, but my grandchildren shared my enthusiasm. They savored the book and eagerly brought it to school to share. Dia Michels has filled a long, empty void in reaching out to children with the message of normal birth and breastfeeding. Children are not yet clouded by the years of false and mythical indoctrinations that surround childbirth in adulthood. These tales of their favorite animals show them the normalcy of breastfeeding and the power of motherhood. Brava, Dia Michels!” —Kitty Ernst, CNM MPH DSc, Mary Breckinridge Chair of Midwifery, Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing, National and International Consultant to Birth Centers

"To get ready for her babies, a platypus builds a nest beside a stream. A polar bear tunnels into the snow to build a snow cave. In this engrossing book, kids learn about how 14 different mammals — from koalas to hooded seals, and yes, even humans — experience the beginning of life: when they open their eyes, how big they are when they’re born, how their moms feed them, how they learn to feed themselves, and more. It’s a terrific way for kids to learn the characteristics of mammals in a way they’ll remember. Perfect for: Animal lovers." —GreatSchools.org