Bob Palmatier served as an elementary school teacher for 26 years, the last 10 as a science specialist. He has also spent the last two decades involved in the field research of native species of turtles, salamanders, and insects, and their habitats. Now, in retirement, he is enjoying weaving these two themes into children’s picture books. “I’ve always admired the work of Beatrix Potter," says Bob. “But more recently, I’ve been drawn to the life and 'jungle' paintings of Henri Rousseau. His paintings make me smile: I can really identify with the methods of his primitive style. I think Stormy would like him, too.” Bob is currently working on his next children's picture book, "Pumpkin's Dilemma", which will be the fourth children's book in his Endangered North American Turtle Series. Twenty-five paintings from the first three books of the endangered turtle series were featured in gallery shows during 2012: In March, the paintings were shown at the Nature Gallery of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina; in September and October, the paintings were shown at the Deberry Gallery of Botanical Illustration of the North Carolina Botanical Garden at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Click to enlarge