Double-header book-signing! On October 19 from 5:30-8 p.m., meet two esteemed artist-authors with strong ties to the metro-Detroit area. Tracy Gallup will present her latest author-illustrated book My First Book of Zen: Simple Wisdom for Children and Artist-Scientist Barrett Klein will sign and present his first book: The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture. We’re excited to have them here together and celebrate their books with family, friends, and fans.
My First Book of Zen is a beautifully illustrated book for children ages 8 and up introducing the gentle and peaceful message of Zen though 12 charming stories.
Change is in the air.
Oak leaves are gently falling like hands waving. Hello trees.
You will soon have a change of outfit, with lacy, delicate branches reaching for the sky.
My First Book of Zen is an invitation for young minds to explore the gentle teachings of Zen philosophy. Through a day in the life of two children, young readers encounter messages of presence, kindness, and connection to the world around them.
Enchanting watercolor illustrations by award-winning artist Tracy Gallup paint the soft moods of Zen and capture a sense of inner calm. Each image is paired with a thoughtful message and a quote from an inspirational thinker—like the haiku master Issa, Zen philosophers D.T. Suzuki and Alan Watts, or the Dalai Lama—offering a quiet space for reflection.
A perfect book for bedtime and fostering moments of calm, My First Book of Zen sows the seeds of inner harmony, compassion, gratitude, and a lasting love for the natural world. Signed copies are available for preorder now online at the Book Beat Gallery.
“Everything about My First Book of Zen exudes calm and tranquil feelings. The title and illustrations on the front cover suggests a gentle story within. The beginning of the story explains, “Zen. It’s a nice word, small enough to fit in your pocket and take anywhere.”… My First Book of Zen promotes thoughtfulness, tranquillity, kindness, and awareness. It is a joy to read at any age.”
–Blue Wolf Reviews
Tracy Gallup is an author and lifelong artist. She holds a BFA from Eastern Michigan University and an MFA in painting from Syracuse University. Tracy worked as an elementary school art teacher for many years, celebrating imagination and childhood in her art. She is the author and illustrator of eleven children’s books, including My First Book of Haiku Poems, which won the Northern Lights Book Award (2020), the Skipping Stones Honor Award (2019), and was chosen for the Notable Poetry Book and Verse Novel list (2020) by the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her husband.
From entomologist Dr. Barrett Klein comes a buzz-worthy exploration of the many ways insects have affected human society, history, and culture
As heard on Science Friday: How Insects Changed the World–And Human Cultures.
Insects surround us. They fuel life on Earth through their roles as pollinators, predators, and prey, but rarely do we consider the outsize influence they have had on our culture and civilization. Their anatomy and habits inform how we live, work, create art, and innovate. Featuring nearly 250 color images–from ancient etchings to avant-garde art, from bug-based meals to haute couture–The Insect Epiphany proves that our world would look very different without insects, not just because they are crucial to our ecosystems, but because they have shaped and inspired so many aspects of what makes us human.
“The Insect Epiphany has substantially broadened my appreciation of insects, with a fascinating dive into the services—beyond the ecological ones—that they perform. Indeed, this book has given me my own unexpected epiphany that insects have impacted human cultures and molded our lives in myriad ways I hadn’t imagined.”
–Douglas W. Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope
“The Insect Epiphany is exceptionally beautiful, deeply enlightening, and just a little bizarre. If you’re a stranger to Barrett Klein, entomologist and artist extraordinaire, then this book is an ideal way to make his acquaintance and enjoy his special knowledge.”
–Thomas D. Seeley, author of Honeybee Democracy
“Playful, erudite, endlessly imaginative, and written with exacting clarity, The Insect Epiphany is overflowing with fascinating information and deep scholarly knowledge. An enthralling ride, it will change how you think about insects and, perhaps more importantly, it will also change how you think about yourself.”
–Hugh Raffles, author of Insectopedia
“A personal—and personable—guide to cultural entomology. ‘Tour de force’ doesn’t do The Insect Epiphany justice. It’s a triumph!”
–May Berenbaum, National Medal of Science award–winning entomologist
Extra! Dr. Barrett Klein at Cranbrook Institute of Science
Join us Friday, October 17 th at 7:30 PM at Cranbrook Institute of Science for Dr. Klein’s presentation “The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture.” Dr. Klein investigates mysteries of sleep in societies of insects, creates entomo-art, and is ever on the search for curious connections that bind our lives with our six-legged allies. He is bringing along some of his little friends as he reveals how insects not only are vital to the Earth’s ecosystems, throughout time they have influenced human culture and civilization, from the arts to cuisine and beyond. Dr. Barrett’s book of the same title will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Don’t miss out on this fun and enlightening presentation, informed by Klein’s love of not only Science but Art and culture! Like all the “Ignite Your Curiosity” series, this presentation is free with admission to the Institute, which is only $5 after 5 PM on Fridays!
Barrett Klein investigates mysteries of sleep in societies of insects, creates entomo-art, and is ever on the search for curious connections that bind our lives with our six-legged allies. Barrett studied entomology at Cornell University and the University of Arizona, fabricated natural history exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History, worked with honey bees for his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, and spearheaded the Pupating Lab at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. He celebrates biodiversity and the intersection of science and art, and believes fully that embracing the beauty of insects can transform our lives and our world.