"Parents who are responsive to their children's needs often find themselves swimming upstream against the culture. Platypus Media books encourage parents as they create families that are close-knit. Through sharing stories, Platypus Media is building a caring community where children and parents alike can thrive." —Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., Author of The Hidden Feelings of My Motherhood "Platypus Media books give us a fun way to help meet curriculum objectives in reading, science, language arts, and social studies. The kids love them—and the free activity guides do a lot of the work for us!" —Catherine Pfeiffer, School Librarian, Capitol Hill Cluster Schools, Washington, D.C. "Caring parents will be delighted with the gentle way these books foster love and respect between parent and child." —Marguerite Kelly, Author of The Monster's Almanac "What's really exciting about this line of books is that children from every background can relate to them. Platypus Media books have captured the values of close-knit families from many different perspectives." —Maria Salvadore, Children's Literature Specialist, Washington, D.C. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING Our mission is to get books into the hands of children all over the world, and we are proud to work with local, state, and federal programs to further this goal. We are now registered on SAM.gov as well as with the SBA. DOWNLOAD OUR CAPABILITY STATEMENT SEARCH FOR US ON SAM.gov VIEW OUR SBA PROFILE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CERTIFICATIONS Small Business Women-Owned Small Business CORE COMPETENCIES Platypus Media, LLC is comprised of two independent publishing houses: Platypus Media and Science Naturally. Platypus Media creates materials that support and promote attachment parenting, breastfeeding, and family. We share evidence-based practices and family support resources with our readers. Our imprint, Science Naturally , makes math and science accessible and engaging for children ages 0-14. Our STEM books encourage skill acquisition in reading, science, and math and are available in several languages and formats. CORPORATE IDENTIFICATION Platypus Media has been in business since February 2000, but our founder and president, Dia Michels, has been working in publishing for the last 30 years. Over the years we have accumulated a permanent staff of 4, who have helped to produce 45+ titles and print more than 500,000 books. We are honored to say that our books have won more than 60 literary, science, math, and language awards. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? Literature-based science and math Problem-based learning Spanish/bilingual education Free downloadable Teacher's Guides Medically certified authors Father, sibling, and NICU support Customization opportunities All of our STEM books meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Accepts government credit cards and purchase orders PAST PERFORMANCE *Please contact us for POC information Kids Read Now | 02/05/2019–03/27/2020 Provided 15,800 customized children's' books over the span of nearly fourteen months (four orders) at a cost as low as $2.89/book California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) / SLAHP | 03/22/2018–09/17/2019 Provided 3,500 breastfeeding booklets over the span of eighteen months (two orders) at a cost as low as $2.95/booklet Colorado WIC / CDPHE | 08/29/2019 Provided 850 hardcover children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $4.95/book Healthy Start Oklahoma | 01/03/2019 Provided 1,000 customized children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $2.95/book New Mexico WIC / DOH | 12/04/2018 Provided 6,115 customized children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $2.95/book

Can you solve this real-world math mystery? Kyle and his friend Antonio had been watching the summer Olympics the day before. Their favorite events were track and field. Kyle was the fastest sprinter in school, while Antonio liked running longer distances.  On this day, they were at the high school football... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... July Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Ship Shape “Ahoy, matey!” Liam yelled, running into his older brother Theo’s bedroom. “Go back to bed,” Theo growled. “It’s six o’clock in the morning! I need my sleep, you know.” “But Theo, there’s part of a shipwreck out in the ocean! It looks like it’s been there for a hundred years!” “Then it will still be there when I get up,” Theo grumbled and rolled over. It was their family’s first morning of vacation after arriving late the night before at a beach they had never been to before. Liam was an early riser and had walked down to the beach just after dawn. Since Theo didn’t want to get up and no one else was awake, Liam went to his room to read. When Theo finally woke up around noon and went to the beach where his parents had already set up chairs and blankets, he saw sunburned people under umbrellas and sand crabs scurrying around, but nothing in the ocean except waves. “Have you seen a shipwreck out there?” Theo asked his parents. “No, but we’ve only been here for an hour,” their father said to Theo. “We slept in a little. Then the three of us went straight to the grocery store while you slept.” “After we put away the groceries we came here,” their mother added. “Liam told us about a shipwreck, but we haven’t seen it yet.” “The shipwreck is out there, and I’ll prove it,” Liam said. “How?” Theo asked. REVEAL ANSWER

Kassandra, Ingrid, Quan, and Ricky are getting ready for their school's Halloween party, but something's amiss with the decorations. Can you use science help them solve this haunting mystery... before it's too late? ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... Halloween Bonus Mystery Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Halloween Hippie "Hey, I have an old picture of my grandma looking just like that, only it wasn't a costume to her," Kassandra said as Ingrid walked into the homeroom. "She said they actually thought they looked cool." Their school normally had a dress code, but it was Halloween and everyone had come in wearing costumes. Ingrid was dressed like a hippie. She had a tie-dyed shirt, beads, sandals, and sunglasses with orange lenses shaped like hearts. Ingrid took off the sunglasses for class, but put them back on in the afternoon when it was time to get ready for the Halloween party. The class was decorating the classroom and painting signs for the school parade. Quan, who though he was funny, was hanging decorations upside down. Preston was pretending to sword fight in his pirate costume with a paint brush, and Ricky was playing with fake blood after putting some on his zombie costume. When it was almost time for the parade, Kassandra noticed that one of the signs had been decorated with a red, rather than orange, pumpkin. "Okay, who's the joker here?" Kassandra asked. She looked around the room for a guilty face. REVEAL ANSWER

These beautifully illustrated books are the perfect holiday gift idea for parents and younger children. Spark an interest in animals and science by exploring the worlds of several different species and how they interact with their environment and each other! Gifts for Budding Scientists These beautifully illustrated, award-winning books are the perfect gift for a budding young scientist (or animal lover)! Babies Nurse Great gift idea for the budding young scientist and/or animal lover! Perfect for parents of young children. This beautifully illustrated book’s overarching theme of breastfeeding inspires conversations about parenting, biology, habitats, survival, and more, making this book an engaging choice for young children as well as elementary school readers. Click Here to View Cuddled and Carried Beautiful images introduce the reader to attachment in the natural world. Watching mothers lend a paw, wing, flipper, or hand to care for their young fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion. Supplemental back matter and a free Teacher's Guide helps parents, librarians, educators, and healthcare providers creatively describe caretaking, while introducing a range of early science concepts. Click Here to View If My Mom Were a Platypus: Mammal Babies and Their Mothers All mammal mothers feed, protect, and teach their young, even though these tasks can challenge their own needs for survival. But a mammal baby’s journey to maturity varies dramatically depending on whether it is a bear or a bat, a shrew or a seal, a hippopotamus or a human. This fascinating look at life cycles portrays the normalcy of birth and breastfeeding and explores how mothers help 14 different mammals navigate the path from helpless infants to self-sufficient adults. Click Here to View

Discover the enchantment of the nighttime sky with 'Twinkle Twinkle Nighttime Sky' - a captivating book coming February 2024. Dive into the wonders beyond our stars! How I wonder what you are... Let's explore beyond our star! Everyday, the sun sets and the sky grows dark. Twinkling stars start to shine, and we watch the moon as it changes phases throughout the month. But the sky we see each night is only a small piece of our huge universe. What else is out there in the nighttime sky? Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky is the second board book in the Skytime series, following Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star. Based on the familiar nursery rhyme, the Skytime series first introduces kids to the bright star that lights our daytime sky, and now explores the universe beyond our solar system! Readers learn about constellations, how the moon affects the tides, astronauts and the moon landing, our Milky Way galaxy and the billions more galaxies out in space, phenomena such as comets and nebulas, and so much more. Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky is a must-have for children who love marveling at the stars and learning about astronauts and planets. With breathtaking illustrations of space and fascinating facts, this book puts our one-of-a-kind planet in perspective! Preorder Preorder Coming October 2024 Press Release Book details Age range 2 - 7 years Grade range Preschool - 2nd grade Board book (ISBN 978-1-958629-37-6) $11.95 Paperback Extended (978-1-958629-68-0) $12.95 eBook (ISBN 978-1-958629-38-3) $10.99 Bilingual (English/Spanish) Board book (ISBN 978-1-958629-39-0) $11.95 Bilingual Paperback Extended (978-1-958629-69-7) $12.95 Bilingual (English/Spanish) eBook (ISBN 978--1958629-40-6) $10.99 Reviews "A wonderful primer to get small children excited about learning about space." —Goodreads reviewer Pamela Powell "Beautifully illustrated bilingual board book for little ones and their caregivers to share! Everett’s rhyming couplets have great rhythm and rhyme in their English version and cover interesting facts about space and space travel." —Goodreads reviewer Melanie Dulaney About the Author About the Illustrator Elizabeth Everett spent 16 years as a classroom teacher before venturing into writing. Inspired by her energetic youngster, Jalen, and his love for books, she took her background in education and meshed it with his childhood interests. The result was edu-tainment in the form of children’s books! She currently lives in Colorado with her family where they love spending time outdoors in the Western sun. This is her first children’s book and she is excited to have several more coming out soon. She can be reached at Elizabeth.Everett@ScienceNaturally.com . Beatriz Castro has been drawing and writing fantastic stories since she was a little girl. She studied illustration at the School of Arts in Logroño, Spain. Inspired by the natural world, Beatriz specializes in colorful images and funny character designs. Her fun and beautiful art appears in books published around the world. She likes classic stories and fairy tales and listens to rock and punk music. You can see more of her work at BeatrizCastroIlustracion.com.

Science Naturally's Event Sales Program allows you to fundraise while offering quality STEM materials to your customers, families, or event participants. Order ahead, send back anything left after the event, and pay 50% off retail for the books you sold. EVENT SALES PROGRAM Our Event Sales Program allows you to fundraise while offering quality STEM materials to your customers, families, or event participants. Perfect for book fairs, conferences, and more! Here's how it works: Select the books you'd like by browsing our store Order any of our books at a 50% discount Return the books that you don't sell Receive your bill after your event Only pay for the books you sold To learn more or to place an order, contact Martha at Martha@ScienceNaturally.com or 1-866-724-8976 "These are some of the most engaging nonfiction books I have ever read!" -Sonya Smith Science Field Coordinator, ATOMS2XP and IMPACT2, Mississippi State, MS "We love the Science Naturally Event Sales Program. It allows us to offer great products to our students with no money upfront." -Doug Tackett PTA Dad Amarillo, TX Download our Book Sale flyer for more information

Enero Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Matemáticas! Fijando la fecha Una noche, Elijah y Kevin estaban viendo el debate de las próximas elecciones presidenciales. Estaban en la sala, en casa de Kevin, tomando notas sobre los temas debatidos y los argumentos principales de cada candidato. La mañana siguiente tendrían un examen al respecto en su clase de Estudios Sociales. El hermano menor de Kevin, John, estaba sentado en la computadora en una esquina de la sala, preparando las invitaciones para su fiesta de cumpleaños, que sería el 6 de enero. Siempre celebraba su fiesta el mismo día de su cumpleaños, aunque fuera un día de escuela. Ya se estaba emocionando con la idea, a pesar de que faltaban más de dos meses. Kevin le había ayudado a empezar en el programa de la computadora, pero se había tenido que regresar al televisor cuando empezó el debate. John leyó en voz alta lo que había escrito hasta el momento: —Estás invitado a la fiesta de cumpleaños de John el día . . . lo que sea, 6 de enero. Kevin, ¿qué día de la semana es mi cumpleaños? Todavía no tenemos un calendario para el próximo año. —¿Qué se yo? —respondió Kevin—. Estoy intentando ver este debate. —¿Recuerdas en qué día de la semana cayó tu cumpleaños este año? —le preguntó Elijah a John. —Domingo —contestó John—. Recuerdo que vimos un partido de fútbol profesional en la tele durante la fiesta. —Bueno, ¿no es obvio el día de la semana en que caerá tu cumpleaños? —preguntó Elijah. REVELAR RESPUESTA

Did you see us in the November issue of STEM Connections ? Welcome Members! Have you figured out the solution to Turning Up The Volume ? (Didn't see the mystery? Click here .) Click to Reveal Solution Want to see more? Each month we share a mystery on our website. See if you can solve the Mystery of the Month . This mystery was drawn from 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math . Click on the book cover for more information. We also offer this book in a bilingual edition , perfect for English Language Learners, dual-language students, and anyone looking to expand their language and math skills ¿hablas español? In the holiday spirit, we are happy to offer 25% off and free shipping sitewide to ITEEA members. Use code ITEEA to redeem this offer on ScienceNaturally.com before the end of 2018. Schools and after-school programs across the country use our books. Learn more about our resources below: Click on book covers below for more information. One Minute Mysteries Got a minute? Then we have a mystery for you! Written by a father-daughter team, these literature-based titles make math and science fun. Each mystery takes just one minute to read and features real-world scenarios. The brainteasers challenge kids to use critical thinking skills, while the real-life scenarios help keep the content engaging and relevant. With mysteries in biology, chemistry, physics, earth and general science, these books are as popular with educators as they are with kids. Titles in the series include: bilingual! ages 8-12 ages 8-12 ages 10-14 ages 10-14 ages 8-12 101 Things Everyone Should Know... So many questions! Why do we put salt on roads when they are icy? How do you to measure half of one-third a cup in a baking recipe? These books help simplify and demystify math and science concepts with entertaining real world connections in sports, travel, food, weather, and more. With a fun question-and-answer format, these are the perfect titles for kids, parents, educators, and anyone interested in understanding how math and science affect our lives. ages 10-14 ages 8-12 Blended S.T.E.M. Fiction Math and science abound in our fun fiction adventures! These two blended fiction books combine history, mystery, and more to create an immersive cross-curricular adventure. The perfect blend of entertaining and educational science topics for both the classroom and after school. Each of these books come with a free downloadable Teacher's Guide to extend and expand opportunities for learning. Titles in the series include: What is S.T.E.M. Fiction and why do my students need it? "The great thing about S.T.E.M. fiction is that it takes concepts and explains them, then uses the concepts in story form to reinforce the explanation ... "Just because it's S.T.E.M. doesn't mean the stories won't also delve into the worlds of magical realism, humorous exaggeration, or even science fiction in order to tell a good story. It's fiction for a reason! ... "It's important to put entertaining books into children's hands that will whet their appetites for further exploration." Read more about S.T.E.M. Fiction here . ages 10-14 ages 10-14 wondering how educators use our books? click here for some ideas Find us in Kansas City! Stop by booth 401 to say hi, check out our books, and meet company president and founder Dia Michels. Will you be at the 81st ITEEA Annual Conference? Plus, don't miss teachers present how they use our books in the Showcase! In the holiday spirit, we are happy to offer 25% off and free shipping sitewide to ITEEA members. Use code ITEEA to redeem this offer on ScienceNaturally.com before the end of 2018.

Cross over the yellow tape and enter the behind-the-scenes world of forensics! E is for the evidence you’ll discover as you learn about the real tools and steps used to hunt for clues and crack the case. Engaging for young children and entertaining for adults, this is the perfect read aloud for science lovers, true crime junkies, armchair detectives, and their pint-sized partners in crime. AVAILABLE NOW ! How does science help solve a crime? Cross over the yellow tape and enter the behind-the-scenes world of forensics! From the crime scene to the laboratory, learn about the real tools and steps used to hunt for clues and crack the case. E is for the evidence you’ll find in this fascinating A to Z book . Watch as forensic scientists brush fingerprints and swab samples. See how UV lights and microscopes uncover clues. Learn how special gear keeps evidence safe from contamination. And, most importantly, discover how asking questions is the key to every investigation. Written by a forensic scientist and STEM educator, Dr. Judy Staveley, C Is for Crime Scene is a quirky, science-focused peek at what really goes into solving a crime. Colorful and offbeat illustrations by Alessandra Vitelli highlight creative thinking and reveal the amazing possibilities of forensic science. Engaging for young children and entertaining for adults, this is the perfect read aloud for science lovers, true crime junkies, armchair detectives, and their pint-sized partners in crime! . Book Details Hardcover (ISBN 978-1-958629-91-8) $18.95 Ebook (ISBN 978-1-958629-92-5) $15.99 Age Range 2-7 years Grade Range PreK-2nd Trim Size 8" x 8" Page Count 32 Press Release Order Now Praise for C Is for Crime Scene "Everyone loves forensic science—even kids! Dr. Staveley's book takes the mystery out of the work forensic scientists do every day." —Rana DellaRocco, MS, MPA, ABC-MB, Chief of Science & Evidence, Baltimore Police Department Meet the Author and Illustrator Dr. Judy Staveley is a biotechnology expert and STEM consultant with advanced degrees in forensic science, biology, and health psychology. She has worked on biodefense and public health with federal agencies and has taught at multiple universities. Dedicated to mentoring future scientists, Dr. Staveley has directed the American Junior Academy of the National Association of Academies of Science and has served as President of the Washington Academy of Sciences. An advocate for gender inclusivity in STEM, she collaborates with organizations like STEM for Her and STEMifyGirls. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area and can be reached at Judy.Staveley@ScienceNaturally.com . Alessandra Vitelli 
is a freelance illustrator based in Naples, Italy.
She has worked on several children’s books for Italian and international publishing houses and teaches illustration at the Scuola Italiana di Comix in Naples. Alessandra is inspired by many things, including her children, her kittens, dreams, and new colors she sees around the world. In addition to illustration, she is passionate about photography and typography. She currently lives in Naples with her partner, two children, and two cats.

Can you solve this month's real-world math mystery? —¡Hannah!... ¿Puedes salir ahora mismo, por favor? ¡Tu hermana, tu papá y yo llevamos casi diez minutos esperándote! ... Noviembre Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Ciencias! Hogar, dulce hogar La familia de Guillermo y Fiorella estaba disfrutando de su última caminata del otoño antes de que el tiempo se pusiera muy frío para salir a caminar. A la mitad del camino, subiendo una montaña por un sendero desconocido, su padre dijo: —Este sería un gran sitio para una casa. Miraron a lo largo del prado soleado hasta una pequeña quebrada, sintiendo una brisa fresca que bajaba por la montaña. —Tienes razón, papá —dijo Guillermo. —A mi también me encantaría vivir aquí —dijo Fiorella—. Es tan bonito y estoy segura que hay ciervos y todo tipo de otros animales aquí. Sería tremendo ver la vida silvestre justo desde el balcón del frente de a casa. —No estoy segura de que viviría en un lugar como éste —dijo la madre—. No hay electricidad y ustedes no podrían sobrevivir más de un día sin sus aparatos. Jamás convencerían a la compañía eléctrica de instalar una línea eléctrica en este bosque tan remoto. —Bueno, si nos permitieran construir una casa aquí, podríamos crear nuestra propia electricidad —dijo Fiorella. —Pero generar electricidad requiere energía. ¿De dónde la sacaríamos? —preguntó su padre. REVELAR RESPUERTA

Can you solve this month's science mystery? As much as Leila missed having Chloe around for their summer vacation, she had to admit that Chloe must be having a great time traveling.  Chloe's father was working on a trade treaty between the United States and other countries bordering the Pacific Ocean... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... June Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Tall Tale Challenge Day was one of the highlights of the week at camp. The campers were sent off on all kinds of odd errands, such as finding animal fur, certain kinds of leaves, nuts, and other bits of nature. Dominic and Vincent had ended up with what they were sure was the toughest assignment: figuring out the exact height of the lone tree in the center of the field. They almost had to laugh when they were given only two tools to do it: a yardstick and a large ball of string. “This is impossible,” Dominic said, squinting up at the top of the tree. It was a sunny day. “It can’t be impossible,” Vincent said. “The counselor said that other guys have done it with the same things they gave us.” They thought for a while. “Well, I have an idea,” Dominic said, “but it’s not going to be easy. One of us could hold the ball of string while the other one ties the end to his belt and climbs the tree. We could probably get close enough to the top to estimate how much is left, and then we could add that to the length of string from there to the ground.” “I don’t think we’d like the result of that,” Vincent said. “Why not?” asked Dominic. REVEAL ANSWER

Can you solve this real-world math mystery? Ron and Lauren’s father had made a New Year’s resolution to be healthier. Part of his program, along with exercising, was eating only cereal for breakfast, instead of things like bacon and eggs. ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... March Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Think Green, Guys! Pranav and Maneet’s family had decided to buy a house in a new development. There were several models to pick from and they had chosen one with the features they wanted. Two houses of that model were finished and for sale. Their backs faced each other, one house looking north and the other looking south—each with a big, open lawn in front. There were tall trees between them, coming almost to the back of each house. “It’s hard to pick. These two houses are exactly the same,” their mother said, as they stood on the back deck of the house that faced north. “The price is the same, too, although either way we’re going to have to watch our money more closely after buying a new house,” said their father. Pranav could feel warmth in the sunlight, even through the bare branches of the trees. Spring was coming. Where they lived, winter was short and mild, and furnaces ran only a little while. Summer was long and hot—air conditioners ran almost all day. “We should buy this one,” Pranav said, after thinking for a moment. “What did you do? Flip a coin in your head?” Maneet asked. REVEAL ANSWER