Batten's writings focus mostly on environmental and natural issues, including ecology, animals, plants, etc.http://www.state.lib.la.us/empowerlibrary/2006%203-5%20Aliens%20from%20earth.pdf. http://www.ilfonline.org/AIME/YHBA/Intermediateactivity.pdf In order to write, she has visited many tropical rainforests, astronomical observatories, scientific laboratories, and medical research centers. Batten has confirmed that she only writes non-fiction books, and that she feels "lucky to be a science writer" because [she] can follow [her] curiosity". Although Batten does not write fiction books, her writings are influenced by fiction author Flannery O'Connor, as well as non-fiction authors Stephen Jay Gould and Edward O. Wilson. As of 2011, she has written 16 books for adults and children.
