Craig Hatkoff
Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again
Q: How did you first hear about Winter?
A: In almost all of our stories, we hear or read about these animals in the news or a human interest piece. We now get emails from scores of people anytime an interesting animal story makes the news. Sometimes, as in the case of Owen & Mzee, it will be a single picture in the newspaper, and other times it will be a series of articles. We saw a number of stories covering Winter's prosthetic tail in early 2008, and I called David Yates at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see if he would be interested in doing a book about Winter.
Q: Why do you think kids and adults are drawn to Winter's story?
A: Winter appeals to people on many different levels. People are very inspired by Winter's resourcefulness and resilience. From her dramatic rescue to the way she learned how to swim first without a tail and then with her new tail, her story shows us that if this little dolphin can overcome her incredible challenges, we can get through our own life challenges as well. Also, the story of the engineers who are challenged to design her prosthetic tail adds an element of the wonders of technology. Winter has become an ambassador to children and grown-ups alike, inspiring people with her story and her exuberant "can do" personality.
Q: Winter began to swim on her own at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, so why was her health still in danger?
A: The caretakers at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium were afraid her side-to-side motion would damage her backbone and her internal organs.
Q: How did the idea come about to use a prosthetic tail on Winter?
A: Kevin Carroll, an engineer at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, a leading designer of prosthetic devices had heard about Winter in the news. He also loves dolphins. It was a huge engineering challenge that took almost 18 months to implement.
Q: What are some behind-the-scenes facts we might find interesting about Winter?
A: Winter as of right now is on her 7th tail and it is expected that she may need up to 25 or more tails as she grows, and as the engineers keep learning more and improving the technology. Winter is also quite a talented artist. Winter actually signed a book and created a painting for our family.
Q: How does Winter's story fit in with your line of other animal books?
A: This story takes us in a number of very interesting directions. It is our first story about an animal in the United States who people can easily visit. Secondly, it deals with the difficult topic of physical and other disabilities in a way kids can relate to.
Winter's story is helping to de-stigmatize disabilities of all kinds in a natural way. It adds a dimension and a new set of tools for kids, parents, and teachers to deal with difficult subjects or topics.
Q: What is it like writing with your daughters?
A: We each have a very special contribution to the stories. Isabella is very focused on the animals themselves and their dilemmas. Juliana tends to focus more on the people involved. But we all have to agree before we will invite an animal into the collection.
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from Winter's story?
A: I think there are many things readers can take away. First, the story of Winter is a great example of how humans and animals can work together to help each other. This story also has a very special and personal meaning to me on another level. When I was growing up, along with some friends, I had teased a boy who wore a hearing aid. To this day, I have never forgiven myself, and I think about it almost every day. It is one of the few things that if I could do over in my life, I would. It was only when I was teased a few years later (as almost all kids are teased at one point or another) that I truly understood how it felt to tease and to be teased. The experience had a profound impact on me, and I have tried to explain this lesson to my daughters. We hope the story of Winter will help kids learn to understand the experience of people who face different life challenges.
Q: Why is the publication date of this book significant?
A: Winter is turning 4 years old in October 2009. We will be celebrating the fourth year of this amazing dolphin that could.
Q: How can people meet Winter?
A: People travel from all over the world to Clearwater, Florida to see Winter up close. At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, guests can see her and take pictures of her. Winter can also be seen live and in action on the Aquarium's webcam, located at www.SeeWinter.com. "Winter: The Dolphin That Could," a documentary devoted to Winter's story of survival, is also available for purchase on the Aquarium's website.
Q: What does the future hold for Winter?
A: Many more tales with many more tails!
Contributor: Scholastic
To view a Q & A feature about his book Looking for Miza, click here.
Reviews
Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again
Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, and Craig Hatkoff
The Hatkoffs add to their series of true, inspirational animal stories (e.g., Looking for Miza: The True Story of the Mountain Gorilla Family Who Rescued One of Their Own) with this affecting account of a baby dolphin, mangled in a crab trap, who is given a prosthesis for her missing tail. Named Winter after her frigid December rescue, the little dolphin is cared for at Florida's Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where the staff notice that Winter's efforts to swim without her tail are beginning to cause stress damage to her backbone. A resourceful dolphin lover and prosthesis manufacturer steps in to design the world's first and only artificial dolphin tail. Winter's successful adaptation to her tail prosthesis makes her an inspiration for children (and adults) with disabilities: "Winter is one little dolphin who gives people hope and shows us that anything is possible." Although the closing notes providing additional information on the organizations and individuals featured in the story read a bit like commercially prepared promotional literature (the leadership of "Chief Executive Office David Yates . . . propelled the aquarium to places it had never been"), the story itself, illustrated by actual photos of Winter's rescue and recovery, is a surefire winner. This well-told tale of Winter's tail really does give hope; it really does seem to show that anything is possible. 2009, Scholastic, Ages 6 to 10, $16.99. Reviewer: Claudia Mills, Ph.D.
ISBN: 978-0-545-12335-8
ISN: 0-545-12335-6
Updated 11/23/09
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