SEA LIONS CAPTURED IN CINCINNATI

For Release September 15th, 2002

Contact: Kat Shehata, author/publisher

phone: (866) 431-7673

fax: (513) 683-9523 email: kshehata [at] angelbea.com


"Everything you want to know about San Francisco's beloved sea lions is revealed in this book. The lively illustrations and fluid text make this book appealing to children as well as adults. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys animal stories about instinct, survival, or for anyone who just loves sea lions.”

-Ann Bauer, Director of Education The Marine Mammal Center

SEA LIONS CAPTURED IN CINCINNATI


Cincinnati mother and daughter have “captured” the beauty and essence of California sea lions in their new book, “San Francisco’s Famous Sea Lions” (September, 15, 2002). Jo McElwee and Kat Shehata have combined talents to write, illustrate and publish their first children’s title. The book chronicles the remarkable true story of a sea lion colony that relocates to Pier 39 after an earthquake devastates San Francisco in 1989.

In 1989, only about six sea lions frequented San Francisco‘s most popular tourist attraction, Pier 39. Then within weeks after a devastating earthquake, an entire sea lion colony shows up in San Francisco! Over the years the marine mammal population has continued to grow. Today as many as 1,000 sea lions can be seen piled up on top of one another barking, fighting, and playing on the docks at Pier 39.

Over ten million visitors from around the world enjoy the “noisy,” “stinky,” “playful,” and “lazy” sea lions every year, yet few people know their amazing story. San Francisco’s beloved marine mammals are now immortalized in a nonfiction picture book featuring the artwork of Society of Illustrators award winning artist, Jo McElwee.

The book highlights some of the Pier’s most memorable characters like “Bingo” and “Huey”. It explains why most (if not all) sea lions at Pier 39 are males, why they appear to be fighting all the time, and why they choose to stay in San Francisco. The book also describes how injured sea lions are rescued, rehabilitated and released, what they eat, how fast and how far they can swim, who and what their enemies are, and what sea lion pups do while their mothers are away. Everything you want to know about the world's most famous sea lion colony is revealed through lively full-color illustrations, factual text and loveable characters.

“San Francisco’s Famous Sea Lions” is available for $15.95 from Angel Bea Publishing on their website (free shipping) http://www.angelbea.com or call 866-431-7673.

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For more information about Kat Shehata and Jo McElwee or to download this story visit Angel Bea Publishing’s website http://www.angelbea.com. Angel Bea can also provide headshots and illustrations from the book in any format. Interviews available upon request.

San Francisco’s Famous Sea Lions by Kat Shehata. Illustrated by Jo McElwee. First edition. Hardback 10.75 x 8.25., nonfiction 32 pages, full color illustrations. ISBN 0-9717843-0-2. $15.95. Pub: September 15, 2002