Colors of the Rainforest
Written and photo illustrated by Tamara Montgomery
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

I began this series of "Nature Poems for Children" with my poem about the colors that appear on the animals and plants of the rainforest. Young children will enjoy hearing the rhyming words and finding the colors in the beautiful photographs. Older children will enjoy reading the poem and discovering the uniqueness of the world’s many rainforests. This is my way of teaching colors, reading and rhyme. (Ages 3-10)

Bears
Written and photo illustrated by Tamara Montgomery
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

In Book 2 of my "Nature Poems for Children" series, Mama, Papa and baby bears romp through the pages of the book climbing trees, eating bamboo, splashing in streams and simply doing what bears do best! This is a photographic introduction into all eight species of the world’s bears! (Ages 2-8)

In My Hand
Written and photo illustrated by Tamara Montgomery
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

Have you ever held a bunny in your hand? Have you ever fed an elephant at the zoo? Have you ever let a lady bug crawl on your fingers? In Book 3 of my "Nature Poems for Children" series, I share a poem about our need to take care of creatures of the land, sky and sea. Endearing photographs capture the magic moments of childhood when we discover the beauty of nature. (Ages 2-8)

Kisses
Written and photo illustrated by Tamara Montgomery
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

This is the first in my "Mom and Me" series. I call this a “cozy up” book for Moms to share with their young children. It is a colorful poetry book filled with photographs of animals showing affection towards their babies with nuzzles, tickles and sloppy licks. I enjoyed writing the poems because it brought back memories of when I used to snuggle with my own children and read stories to them. Now I read books to my grandchildren. (Ages 2-8)

Hold on Tight
Written and photo illustrated by Tamara Montgomery
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

In Book 2 of my poetry series "Mom and Me", charming photographs show baby animals being carried, cuddled and given rides with tender care by their mothers. Young readers will soon discover that their own Moms and Dads like to carry them in the same way. (Ages 2-8)

Fish, Flowers and Furries
Written and photo illustrated by Tamara Montgomery
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

This is Book 1 in a poetry series I am illustrating with batik fabrics. It contains three poems: "Five Little Fishies" who go swimming in the ocean, "Five Little Flowers" who become a May Day gift, and "Five Little Mice" who get into mischief while a curious cat watches and waits! Written to be shared with children ages 2 to 8, these poems not only teach counting but introduce the magic of rhyme to tell a story. I had so much fun creating this book that I am already working on two more! (For Ages 2-8)

The Leafy Sea Dragon
Written by Tamara Montgomery
Illustrated by Joeseph D. Dodd
Produced by Cliff Montgomery

Have you ever seen a leafy sea dragon? These small, endangered seahorse-like fish appear to have many leaves attached to their small bodies. This enables them to hide in the sea kelp around Kangaroo Island near Southern Australia. This is a story about how Leafy Sea Dragon got her leaves. As she adventures through the water she meets a flying fish, a flounder, a puffer fish, and a Spanish dancer. The book includes learning activities as well as patterns and instructions for making puppets so that children can put on their own puppet show! I visit schools performing a puppet show of this book. (For ages 5-8)

Kraken-ka, The Komodo Dragon
Written by Tamara Montgomery and Jody Parry Belknap
Illustrated by Joeseph D. Dodd

One day in the New York Museum of Natural History I saw a Komodo Dragon. On his forehead was a small patch of turquoise skin and I wondered, ”Why is it turquoise when all the rest of his skin is brown?” Using my knowledge of Indonesian Shadow Puppetry I created this myth about the first Komodo Dragon, who was once the most beautiful creature on earth, and how Naga, Goddess of Wisdom and Beauty, teaches him to “take from the earth only what you need.” This book not only contains an important lesson but is also an entertaining way to learn about an endangered species of the Pacific Rim. (Ages 7-12)

Tasi's Gift
Written by Tamara Montgomery
Illustrated by Joeseph D. Dodd

I spent five summers teaching puppetry on the beautiful Pacific island of Tutuila in American Samoa. While I was there I learned many wonderful things about the people and their traditions. Tasi’s Gift, A Tale of Samoa, introduces you to Tasi, the woodcarver and his daughter Tuala, who with the help of ocean and forest animals, carve a beautiful bowl for the chief of the village. A lovely introduction to the Samoan people, their language, traditions and culture. (Ages 5-10)

When the Cassowary Pooped
Written by Tamara Montgomery
Illustrated by Joeseph D. Dodd

While visiting a zoo in Australia I saw this amazing big bird with a funny looking helmet on his head. “What is that bird?” I said to myself. When I returned home I read everything I could and then wrote this rhythmic poem, frequently memorized by children, about the endangered Cassowary Bird who poops big seeds and makes the forests grow in New Guinea! Awarded “best illustrated children’s book” by the Hawaii Book Publishers Association. (Ages 2-5)

TiQri, The Little Snow Fox
Written by Tamara Montgomery and Jodi Parry Belknap
Illustrated by Joeseph D. Dodd

This is one of my favorite stories because of the message it gives to children, “Be happy with who you are.” TiQri tell the story of a little arctic snow fox who is unhappy with his winter white coat and convinces Aurora, the aurora borealis, to change him into pink, green, and blue. When Polar Bear roars, the little Snow Fox discovers “There is a reason I am the color of snow in the winter.” When signing books I always write “Find the colors inside yourself!” (Ages 3-8)

Puppetry In Early Childhood Education
Written by Tamara Montgomery and Nancy Renfro

Inspired by my Ph.D. work in early childhood education, I wrote this book to be a basic text for integrating puppets into the preschool and primary curriculum. It has since become a classic, filled with hundreds of cleverly illustrated and easy to follow instructions for children as well as adults to make and manipulate. As Fred Rogers, of the PBS TV show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood wrote, "You have put together a real smorgasbord of experiences. It was especially good to see you have included a chapter that will help teachers understand how helpful puppets can be in dealing with feelings". (Preschool to Elementary Grades)

Celebrate!: Holidays, Puppets and Creative Drama
Written by Tamara Montgomery and Nancy Renfro

I have always loved holidays so I created this book to take you through an entire year of holidays and celebrations from around the world.The puppet activities in the book can create a holiday glow that will engage children and families all year long. "Celebrate!" was selected by Instructor Book Club as its book of the month and promoted as a "source for using everyone's favorite holidays to develop a strong cultural awareness, sharper motor skills, and a flair for creativity". (Preschool to Elementary Grades)

Pocketful of Puppets; Mother Goose
Written by Tamara Montgomery and Nancy Renfro

Many years ago I enjoyed listening to my daughter, Tara, giggle while being read Mother Goose Rhymes at bedtime. It was obvious to me that the rhymes still captured the interest and imagination of young children. With this in mind I selected the ones most adaptable to puppets and developed puppet making and performing ideas for each rhyme. Using everyday materials, Little Miss Muffet’s spider is made from a grocery bag, Mary Mary’s garden grows in a Kleenex box and Hickory Dickory’s clock is made from a paper plate. (Preschool to Elementary Grades)

Pocketful of Puppets; Never Pick a Python for a Pet
2nd Edition, published as Greenpoems
Written by Tamara Montgomery
Illustrated by Nancy Renfro

This is a book of poetry which I wrote about the animals of the African Plains, Australian Bush, Deserts, Forests, Jungles, Oceans, and Polar Regions. There are even poems about Endangered Species! Each of the 27 poems includes puppet making suggestions and simple patterns that can be made from everyday items like paper cups, plates, bags, envelopes and paper towel rolls. (Preschool and Elementary Grades)