Our Class Pet Is A Living Fossil is a photographic nonfiction book that follows Mr. Eric Jayne’s fifth‑grade “horseshoe crab scientists” as they raise and study one of Earth’s most extraordinary animals. This unique classroom project blends hands‑on science, stewardship, and storytelling, showing how students, their teacher, and scientist Stephanie Tuckfield work together to protect a species that has outlived dinosaurs.
During this presentation, coauthors Jennifer Keats Curtis and Eric Jayne will share the behind‑the‑scenes story of creating the book. Eric will show what it’s like to rear horseshoe crabs—and young scientists—in his classroom. At the same time, Jennifer will talk about the deep research, surprising discoveries, and unforgettable experience of joining the students for a horseshoe crab release. Her coauthor, Eric, is the only elementary school teacher in the country raising horseshoe crabs.
RSVP HERE: https://marylandnature.wildapricot.org/event-6799425
Curtis has published 29 books, including Kali’s Story: An Orphaned Polar Bear Rescue (Children’s Choice Book Award Winner), Moonlight Crab Count (International Literacy Association Award Winner), and Pooper Snooper (Kirkus starred review). Many of her titles are National Science Teaching Association/Children’s Book Council Outstanding Science Trade Books, including Maggie: Alaska’s Last Elephant, After A While Crocodile: Alexa’s Diary, and Moonlight Crab Count.
Her book Return of the Terns: How Scientists Are Saving Island Birds earned multiple 2026 Children’s Book Council Kids Favorites Awards. Her relentless curiosity has led her into the field with crocodiles, pelicans, horseshoe crabs, and many other wild animals. When she’s not pestering experts, she’s in her happy place: schools. Her mission is making science accessible, accurate, and engaging for young readers.
Eric Jayne has been an elementary school teacher for 24 years and has earned numerous awards, including Wal‑Mart Local Teacher of the Year and the Mister Car Wash Teachers Who Shine Award. He holds a Master’s degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in business from Towson University.
Before teaching, Eric worked as a data analyst in both the public and private sectors, including at America Online (AOL) during its peak as the world’s largest internet provider.
In 2009, Eric began raising horseshoe crabs in his classroom. Since then, he and his students have successfully raised and released 191 horseshoe crabs into the Chesapeake Bay. Our Class Pet Is A Living Fossil is Eric’s debut book and fulfills a lifelong publishing dream with more to come.
