Books with author Katie Payne

A natural history rich in observation of the animal world and how humans participate in it, Silent Thunder is also a passionate story of scientist Katy Payne’s spiritual quest as she turns a keen eye on her role in this world. Starting with the story of her revolutionary discovery that elephants use infrasonic sounds—sounds below the range of human hearing—to communicate, Payne shares what she learned from her fascinating field research in Africa, research that reveals new insights into elephants’ social lives. When five of the elephant families she studies are the victims of culling, Payne’s approach to her research changes, as she fights valiantly to protect the elephants. The result of her research, and the touching insights gained from Africans she worked with and the elephants she studied, give a vivid impression of Payne’s view from the front lines of the natural preservation effort. Like Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard and the writings of Jane Goodall, Silent Thunder demonstrates how a commitment to all life can bring one’s own into a new focus.

At just six-to-nine months old, babies grasp the concept of vocabulary and realize that objects have names. However, with little vocal control, they can’t form words with their mouths — but they can with their hands! Learning to sign helps ease the frustration babies experience when they can't communicate their needs to parents. Part of the Amazing Baby series, the book is perfectly-sized for tiny hands and mouths to explore. In her engaging instructions, Katie Mayne teaches parents how to understand their little ones using simple sign language, starting with signs for “milk,” “food,” “drink,” and progressing to instructional signs like “look” and beyond. Filled with easy-to-follow steps, oversized black and white photos, and including a tabbed index, this book teaches and captivates parents and their babies.

At just six-to-nine months old, babies grasp the concept of vocabulary and realize that objects have names. However, with little vocal control, they can’t form words with their mouths — but they can with their hands! Learning to sign helps ease the frustration babies experience when they can't communicate their needs to parents. Part of the Amazing Baby series, the book is perfectly-sized for tiny hands and mouths to explore. In her engaging instructions, Katie Mayne teaches parents how to understand their little ones using simple sign language, starting with signs for “milk,” “food,” “drink,” and progressing to instructional signs like “look” and beyond. Filled with easy-to-follow steps, oversized black and white photos, and including a tabbed index, this book teaches and captivates parents and their babies.

What is the explanation behind the sensitive awareness showed by elephants within their own particular tribes? Katy Payne tells how, on one occasion, a group of elephants she was observing appeared restless. They looked around them, as if searching for someone missing. Then, after a while, from over the horizon, an elephant lumbered into view. Once he arrived, the whole group calmed down, and then, amicably set off for a waterhole together. Payne discovered, through the use of high-frequency recorders, that elephants emit sounds that humans cannot hear. By her account, at least 50 sq/km can be filled by an elephant call. She also discovered that an elephant's delicate perception can detect calls with different meanings. Her extremely well-written book ends with an appeal for the conservation of elephants, whose numbers are falling.

An engaging account of a renowned biologist's pioneering work with African elephantsThis remarkable memoir of scientific discovery begins at the Washington Park Zoo in Portland, Oregon, where Katy Payne's revolutionary work in the field of elephant communication began. It was there that she first discovered the idea that elephants use infrasonic sounds--sounds below the range of human hearing--to communicate. This led Payne and her colleagues to conduct field research in Kenya, Namibia, and Zimbabwe that brought about fascinating new insights into elephants' social lives. When five of the elephant families they were studying became victims of culling, Payne changed her approach to her research as she fought valiantly to protect African elephants.Silent Thunder is a natural history rich in observation of the animal world and how humans participate in it. It is also a passionate story of Payne's own spiritual quest as she turns a keen eye on her own role in this world. On every page Payne's courage and empathy shine through, giving this unique combination of scientific journal and personal memoir an unforgettable emotional power.* A 1998 Scientific American Best Book for Young Readers* A Book-of-the-Month Club Alternate and Quality Paperback Book Club selection* Silent Thunder was featured on NBC's Dateline"Payne excels at helping us to experience Africa and the majestic elephants." --The New York Times Book Review"This book will make a wonderful addition to the library of any animal lover." --Publishers Weekly