My latest project is writing kids books for SAFE. SAFE Worldwide’s mission is “To create innovative solutions for the conservation of endangered species and their habitats across the planet.” They wanted to create something for kids to help them learn about these issues and get them involved. They came up with the idea of having two animals who go around the world learning about endangered species and habitats and how they and others can help. Their names are Max (a Meerkat) and Riley (a Javan Rhino).
I got involved somewhat accidentally via my younger sister who is friends with and had worked with the head of the organization. She (I think) originally proposed the idea of creating books (and other media) with these characters and suggested that I might be interested in writing them, based on the books and poems I had done for family. To my surprise, they agreed. (Working for free may have helped.) It seemed like a good cause and a challenge so I said yes.
I’m not sure if they decided the text should rhyme or if I imposed that on myself. But we started off that way and never looked back. If you think writing a book at a 7 or 8 year olds’ level, about, say, the destruction of the Amazon rain forest, covering the whole topic in about 15 pages, without it being too dark, AND rhyming, AND, as an added bonus, without identifying the gender of either of the characters, AND ensuring that an appropriate illustration can be created that matches the text is easy, then you have never tried it. It was a real challenge but I think it turned out great (if I do say so myself).
The first book about Javan rhinos and how Max and Riley meet is finished. You can see it here.
The second book, about the Amazon rain forest, is written, but the illustrations are not complete. Look for it here in the summer of ’26. Book three about the oceans is now underway.