"Help, I can’t call this lion ferocious!"
Children's book author Lotte Stegeman and behavioural biologist Claudia Vinke from Utrecht University's Behaviour Clinic for Animals work closely together. This provides Stegeman with ideas and knowledge that she incorporates into her stories. For Vinke, it is a great way to reach children with her expertise on animal behaviour and to show how science works.
Annoyed lions, frightened dogs or disgusted worms? When Lotte Stegeman decided to write a children's book about emotions in animals, she immediately enlisted the help of behavioural biologist Claudia Vinke. She already knew her from interviews in the popular science magazine Quest. This resulted in the book ‘Ik voel ik voel wat jij niet ziet’ (I feel I feel what you don't see), which was so popular that a sequel is on its way. ‘Slimmer dan je denkt – over snuggere mieren, briljante gordeldieren en een hengst die aan hoofdrekenen deed’ (Smarter than you think – on savvy ants, brilliant armadillos and a stallion who did mental arithmetic) will be published in the summer
The reader learns not only about animals, but also about science
More than just reading along
Three years ago, there were no children's books on animals’ emotions at all. "I realised that this was a difficult subject. So I needed someone with the right expertise," says Stegeman. “There is a danger of inaccurately 'anthropomorphising' [assigning human characteristics to animals, ed.], which you mustn’t do. Claudia keeps an eye out for that."
"I check everything to make sure it’s in line with the latest scientific insights and that it’s scientifically correct," says the behavioural biologist. But the collaboration between the two of them goes beyond just checking texts. "I start by reading up on the subject, in books and scientific articles and anything else that I can find. Then I create an outline and share it with Claudia, who gives me lots of ideas," explains Stegeman. "I then add that she should ‘take a look at this animal’, or ‘have you thought about this researcher’," adds Vinke.
Ferocious or annoyed lion
For both children's books, in addition to Vinke, Stegeman also talked to other scientists and biologists. They also got to read the texts and provided feedback. "I don't know if you can label this lion as ferocious," wrote one of the scientists. Immediately, Stegeman emailed Vinke: “Help! I can’t call this lion ferocious!" The latter then sent her a wealth of information, graphs and tables. "It was almost a thesis on why you could at least call that lion annoyed," says the children's book author, laughing.
You can't say a worm is disgusted, but you can broach the subject
"It has to be accurate, naturally," says Vinke. "We are honest about what science can tell us and what researchers haven’t yet figured out." "I have no problem with terms like 'maybe' and 'probably'," adds Stegeman. Vinke: "The reader learns not only about animals, but also about science. Lotte knows, more than anyone, how to put that into words."
From animal to child
"It’s hilarious that I even got to mention a worm in the book," chuckles Stegeman. "You can't say a worm is disgusted, but you can broach the subject." That’s what the children's book author does when she tours primary schools with her book. "What happens if you put a worm in a petri dish next to a bacterium? Does it crawl in the other direction or immediately target that bacteria?", she gives as an example. "Normally, it seems to be the former. But does this mean that the worm is disgusted? Children have no problem with there being no clearcut answer to this question."
Stray dog Gaia, from the book 'I feel I feel what you don't feel', always comes up in the classroom. Terrified, the dog came to Vinke for a consultation. "Illustrator Mark Janssen has drawn her perfectly: with big eyes and ears back," says the behavioural biologist. Stegeman: "I show that picture to all the classes and ask them: 'How do you think this dog is feeling? And what would the rest of its body look like? What actually scares you? That way, children learn to consider not just animals' emotions but also their own."
Children learn to consider not just animals' emotions but also their own
Children's books with a story
The books often contain a message that children themselves can benefit from. The same is true of the new book, which is about intelligence in animals. "I question the human definition of intelligence. Why do we look at animals based on our own ideas of what intelligence is?" asks Stegeman. To which Vinke replies: "How great is it for children to read that you don't just have to be smart in numeracy or literacy?"
Through her books, Stegeman strives to bridge the gap between nature, animals and children. Vinke supports that goal. "I think it’s important that children have an understanding of animals. And I hope that, as a result, they will realise even more how important it is to take good care of animals." Normally, Vinke conducts research and teaches veterinary students. "Through Lotte, we can reach a different target group, and an important one at that."
Sneak peak
Stegeman's first book proved a great success, and a second edition soon followed. 'I feel I feel what you don't see' will shortly also be published in German, South Korean, Chinese and Turkish. And luckily, we don't have to wait long for the sequel either: 'Smarter than you think'. In the summer, we can find out all about smart animals. Sneak peak: the ant plays a major role, reptiles are featured and the stoat also gets a pat on the back for its brains.