Seatales Publishing Company

10/01/2024

The ice sculpture that adorns the New England Aquarium's entrance is always a favorite. This year's sea-themed sculpture is especially relatable to anyone who's been lucky enough to see the sea lion exhibit at the New England Aquarium. I had the opportunity to do just that last January and it didn't disappoint. To read the back story to the ice sculpture: https://janicepetrie.com/uncategorized/new-england-aquariums-ice-sculpture-honors-sea-lions-this-new-years-eve-2023/

28/09/2023

How incredible is this rare sighting of a dumbo octopus off the coast of Hawaii?! The octopus is such an amazing creature, which is why I had to include one as a character in "The Lucky Hermit Crab." Such a mesmerizing livestream!

A rare "Dumbo" octopus was captured on a deep-sea livestream in the north Pacific Ocean. The octopus is known for its ear-like fins, which resemble the Disney character. It was spotted during a ...

28/09/2023

As we mark the 107th anniversary of the murder of Florence Small and the burning of her cottage today, I'm so happy to report that Florence is no longer lying in an unmarked grave. What changed? Click here to find out: https://janicepetrie.com/uncategorized/the-unmarked-grave-of-florence-small-an-exciting-update-from-the-true-crime-book-perfection-to-a-fault/

10/06/2023

We’re at the beautiful Wakefield Common right by the bandstand. We have a new book we’re excited to have you see. Come on down and say hello!

10/06/2023

Can’t beat the Wakefield Festival by the Lake. You’re entertained all day long!

07/06/2023

We're happy to announce that "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell" has become a Mom's Choice Awards Gold Award recipient. We're excited for even more children, teachers, parents, and grandparents to discover our latest book!

This week’s roundup of Mom’s Choice Award winners features children’s picture books, pet-related products, sleep supplements + more!

04/01/2023

"Perfection To A Fault" is finally available as an audiobook! Our narrator, Sarah Eileen Phelan, has done a wonderful job of bringing this historical, non-fiction, true crime to life. The story of the murder of Florence Small, the trial of her husband, Frederick, and how my family became entwined in the whole affair has been called engaging by "New Hampshire Magazine," suspenseful by "Kirkus Reviews," and intriguing by "Publishers Weekly Magazine." Interested? Click on the link below for more information! (available on Audible, iTunes, and Amazon)
https://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Fault.../dp/B0BRBTL6V9/

Perfection to a Fault: A Small Murder in Ossipee, New Hampshire, 1916

02/01/2023

I love the story behind this year's New England Aquarium ice sculpture for First Night 2022-23. Check it out!
https://seatalespublishing.com/uncategorized/african-penguin-ice-sculpture-is-new-england-aquariums-choice-for-bostons-new-years-eve-first-night-2022-23/

African Penguin Ice Sculpture is New England Aquarium’s Choice for Boston’s New Years Eve First Night 2022-23 53 minutes ago admin 4 It was a warm, light rain that greeted visitors to the Boston Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll this New Year’s Eve, where the New England Aquarium’s annual scul...

16/12/2022

Can't believe how incredibly fortunate I was yesterday to meet Jenna Bush Hager at the Today show in NYC. I feel we're kindred spirits, both of us having a lifelong passion for storytelling and books. Jenna is as friendly and approachable in person as she appears on TV.

12/12/2022

The luck continues for "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell." It's starred review was chosen for the December Kirkus Review's magazine!

21/10/2022

A Kirkus Star! So excited to hear from Kirkus Reviews that my book, "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell" has received a Kirkus Star! "The Kirkus Star is one of the most prestigious designations in the book industry,” according to the Kirkus website. I guess that my little hermit crab truly is lucky! https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/janice-s-c-petrie/the-lucky-hermit-crab-and-her-swirly-new-shell/

A hermit crab struggles to part with a “perfect” shell—even when it no longer fits—in this science-focused rhyming picture book from author-illustrator Petrie.

17/10/2022

A big shout out to Laura Romage for crocheting me this beautiful "lucky hermit crab!" Inspired by my newly released book, "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell," this adorable hermit crab has all of the special things on her shell that the hermit crab in my story has. So thoughtful and very creative! I'll be taking my new crocheted hermit crab friend with me as a mascot for my new book when I visit schools and fairs. Thanks so much, Laura!

10/10/2022

I just had to share this Kirkus Review with fans of "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell." Sally MacLaughlin would be thrilled to know that this book was dedicated to her! She was so excited to see it, and sadly never got the chance.

"Petrie’s full-color cartoon illustrations mix realistic detail with friendly facial expressions; the octopus hiding on almost every page makes for an excellent seek-and-find. The main text reads smoothly throughout, but the thought-bubble commentary from fish witnessing the crab’s difficulties is the story’s highlight. They offer fast facts about hermit crabs while amusingly reacting to the protagonist’s adventures. The ample ocean-creature terminology (exoskeleton, anemones) will challenge newly independent readers, and the interesting topic will provide encouragement.

A sea story with a solid message, fanciful rhymes, and engaging characters."
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/janice-s-c-petrie/the-lucky-hermit-crab-and-her-swirly-new-shell/

A hermit crab struggles to part with a “perfect” shell—even when it no longer fits—in this science-focused rhyming picture book from author-illustrator Petrie.

28/09/2022

So grateful to Midwest Book Review for choosing my book to review. This review joins stellar reviews from both Booklife and Clarion Review.
"Fun and informative, "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Marine Life picture book collections for children ages 3-10." - Midwest Book Review.
Our book is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. If you're on NetGalley, please look up our listing. The download is free and reviews are always so much appreciated.
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Hermit-Crab-Swirly-Shell/dp/1733051724/

15/09/2022

The Lucky Hermit Crab's making a splash in the editorial reviews!
"In this upbeat picture book a hermit crab helps children explore how to let go and grow … Detailed and colorful, Petrie’s illustrations cleverly bring this story to life and allow kids to feel a sense of compassion for the hermit crab … With her rhyming prose and obvious love of sea life, Petrie has created a playful and exciting underwater world that children will be eager to revisit." -Booklife https://booklife.com/project/the-lucky-hermit-crab-and-her-swirly-new-shell-79144

When the lucky hermit crab outgrows her favorite, swirly new shell, will she be willing to let go and find a newer, bigger one that will keep her safe and comfortable? Come along on this rhyming hermit crab adventure.

12/09/2022

Just in! The Clarion Review for "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell!" Click the link below and check it out! If you've bought my new book and haven't posted an online review yet, now's the perfect time! Thanks for helping children and their adults to discover "The Lucky Hermit Crab!" https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/the-lucky-hermit-crab-and-her-swirly-new-shell/

The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell: "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell" is an informative picture book about a young hermit crab who learns to accept change and let go of outgrown treasures. In Janice S. C. Petrie’s educational picture book "The Lucky Hermit Crab and...

11/08/2022

We released our new illustrated children's book on Monday and Amazon sold out twice. They've finally restocked and are ready to launch. Don't miss out on this rhyming, hermit crab adventure! Click to view on Amazon or download a review copy on NetGalley:
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Hermit-Swirly-Seatales-Animal/dp/1733051740/

02/08/2022

The Amazon sales page is up for our new, illustrated children's book, "The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell." Check it out!
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Hermit-Swirly-Seatales-Animal/dp/1733051740/

The Lucky Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell (Seatales Sea Animal)

23/06/2022

So excited to introduce our new children's illustrated, rhyming hermit crab adventure that releases on 8/8/2022. A hermit crab has outgrown her favorite, swirly new shell. A hungry octopus is interested. Will the hermit crab be willing to swap her favorite shell for one that’s larger, safe, and more comfortable? Stay tuned!

11/06/2022

We’re so excited to be at the Festival by the Lake on a picture perfect, sunny day in Wakefield, MA! We have a new book to debut and a seat for you under a shady tree next to the bandstand entertainment. Come on down and say hello!

02/06/2022

03/05/2022

Last week Kylie Low, of Dark Downeast Podcasts interviewed me for a segment about Florence Small from my book, Perfection To A Fault. She did a great job! If you'd like to tune into the podcast, I know you won't regret it! Follow the link below to your favorite podcast provider.
https://janicepetrie.com/uncategorized/perfection-to-a-fault-and-dark-downeast-podcast-connect/

18/08/2021

Since my new book (Spring of 2022), "The Little Hermit Crab and Her Swirly New Shell" has an adorable hermit crab as its main character that looks a lot like this one, I thought I'd share this great video by Maritime Gloucester of a hermit crab changing shells.

05/07/2021

Just finishing up my new illustrated children's book that includes one of these fascinating creatures. Aren't octopuses just incredible?!

22/05/2021

This is so true!

Anyone else feel like this? 😂 🤣

06/05/2021

Beautiful calico lobster has a brand new shell, just like the little blue lobster in, “Something’s Tugging on My Claw!”

One of our cool calico lobsters has molted and is now sporting a vibrant new look (top). The old carapace or shell it molted out of is shown below it. If you zoom in, you can see where the shell separates during the molting process as the lobster wiggles its new, larger body out. This lobster has been taken out if its group tank to an isolation tank in the back while its new carapace hardens up. Freshly molted “soft” lobsters are vulnerable to attack by other lobsters during this time so we always give new molts some time before rejoining the group. You can watch a video of the molting process at our YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm5oFnJxEk4

06/05/2021

Interesting. Hopefully the scientific community is close to replicating the characteristics of horseshoe crab blood synthetically to be used in LAL testing. In the meantime, it’s important to protect this gentle, prehistoric creature.

Today in Massachusetts Wildlife: This horseshoe crab shell that we found on Crane Beach last week has a telling hole in the tissue that connects the two shell parts. Where did this hole come from?!?

Horseshoe crab blood is used in medical science, due to its natural antibacterial properties. Crabs are collected, and blood is removed, before they are released back to their ocean home. This hole is likely from the needle used to extract the blood!

This practice has been going on for decades, but recent population declines in this iconic arthropod have got scientists and conservationists concerned about impacts of blood extraction.

You can help us monitor horseshoe crab and other threatened wildlife populations using the community science app iNaturalist . Just snap a picture of (live)wildlife and upload it to the app, where the data can be used for biodiversity monitoring and conservation research.

Image description: The underside of a dark brown horseshoe crab

20/04/2021

Yesterday I went to the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester to deliver a book order & stopped off at Steve Connolly Seafood (the place that "Bay State Skye" was written about🙂) for some salmon when I noticed a very high price on their lobster meat. When Brad told me about the restrictions placed on local lobster fishermen to help the plight of the right whale, I knew this was a super subject for a blog post. Interested? (and who wouldn't be!) Click on this link to read: https://janicepetrie.com/uncategorized/spring-brings-right-whale-sightings-off-the-coast-of-massachusetts/

19/04/2021

After writing my blog post (June 17, 2020) about the connection between horseshoe crab blood and its relationship to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, I received several comments about the fact that COVID-19 is a virus, and therefore the horseshoe crab blood’s ability to identify harmful bacteria would not be helpful in this case. This would be true if one believed that the horseshoe crab blood was somehow going to be used to eradicate the COVID-19 virus. It was not.

The horseshoe crab blood was being used to ensure that bacteria didn’t find its way into the process of developing the vaccine.

This topic is more timely than ever, considering that some vaccines are being additionally scrutinized. Interested? Click below to read the full update, as well as the original article.
https://seatalespublishing.com/seatales-blog/