In Balu the Paw-Traveler Visits the Seven Modern Wonders, an adventurous black Labrador takes children on a trip around the globe to see how diverse our world is. What inspired you to create Balu the Paw-Traveler and make him the guide for children’s adventures around the world?

Traveling is my passion, and showing the world to my boys is something I truly enjoy. The idea for Balu the Paw-Traveler came to me when I was looking for a book about the Seven Modern Wonders to share with my sons. I couldn’t find one that felt suitable for their ages and included the kind of adventure and learning I was looking for, so I decided to create the story myself.

Balu was inspired by my own black Labrador. He isn’t a puppy anymore, but he still has that sweet puppy face that made him the perfect character to guide young readers around the world.

I also wanted to give parents a tool to spark curiosity and show their kids that there are so many amazing places, cultures, and experiences to discover around us. I believe an adventure can start long before we actually visit a place. Sometimes, reading about it is that first step—it opens their imagination, encourages them to ask questions, and makes them excited to discover more.

The book introduces geography alongside food, language, music, traditions, animals, and activities. Why was it important to show children several different aspects of each culture?

When I travel, I’m always looking for variety and discovery. When I plan an itinerary, I don’t want to simply visit a famous landmark and move on. I want to try the food, hear the music, learn about the traditions, see the wildlife, and experience the little details that make each destination unique.

I wanted to bring that same feeling into Balu the Paw-Traveler. That’s why I tried to include as many different elements as possible throughout his journey. I want young explorers to see that discovering the world is about much more than seeing a famous place. It’s about experiencing the variety, diversity, cultures, flavors, sounds, and traditions that make every destination unforgettable.

That is what makes traveling so exciting to me, and it’s the feeling I hope readers take with them on Balu’s adventure.

In your story, you frequently invite children to participate through movement, imagination, language, and other activities. Why was interactive learning important to you?

I didn’t want Balu the Paw-Traveler to be a story that you simply read and then put back on the shelf. I wanted young explorers to participate in the adventure and feel like they were traveling alongside Balu.

Throughout the book, readers are invited to do things themselves: learn a samba step, practice yoga, close their eyes and use their imagination, and even think about what it might feel like to have the wind on their faces or butterflies in their tummies.

Reading about an experience is wonderful, but when you read, move, imagine, and participate at the same time, it becomes something you can actually feel. Those feelings are often what we remember most. That was my goal with Balu: to make the adventure feel as real as possible and turn reading into an experience rather than just a story.

Is The Seven Modern Wonders the beginning of more journeys for Balu, and are there other parts of the world or subjects you’d especially like him to explore?

Absolutely! The Seven Modern Wonders is only Balu’s first adventure. I’m already working on more journeys that will take him to new places and give young explorers even more opportunities to discover our incredible world. Future adventures may take Balu across continents, oceans, national parks, and beyond.

My goal is to continue creating adventures that encourage families to explore, learn, ask questions, and stay curious about the world around them. There is so much for Balu to discover, and I’m very excited about where his paws will take him next!

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