Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring is the story of a little conure who settles on a unique show-and-tell topic when she decides to share about her adopted penguin brother’s homeland. Where did the idea for this story come from?

Tuxedo Baby Book 1 had been in my thoughts for over 20 years. I had been to the aquarium in Monterey, CA. There we saw penguins and they of course were adorable. I had a conure parrot at home and although the two species were unlikely, I found parallels to their lives. As a parent and former teacher, family values were extremely important to me which are all components in my books. Then, came Book 2 and it was Tuxedo Baby and His Annoying Cousins. In that book, I found similar experiences that Tuxedo Baby went through just as my own kids had regarding family, making good choices, knowing the consequences, and getting along with others. In Book 3, Priscilla and Tux, Tux is older and he is so proud to be a big brother. Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3 developed out of my own experiences being a mom, teacher, and a member of our family.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

In Book 1, Tuxedo Baby, I added at the end Facts about the Magellanic Penguins, Oil Spills, and Cherry-Head Conures.

In each of my books, I provide on my website, curriculum guides for discussion, writing, activities, and coloring pages of the main characters. But the most important are the social/emotional values that my books are embedded with.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with Sergii Zavadskyi?

Sergii Zavadskyi has been excellent to work with. Mind you, he is surrounded by war in the Ukraine. He has been most attentive and when internet power was down, he always kept in communication with me as soon as possible. He has illustrated Books 2 and 3. Currently, he just finished my 4th book.

Can we look forward to more books featuring Priscilla and Tux? What are you currently working on?

For now, my latest book is called Swimmy, the Superhero: A Box Turtle’s Adventures at School. That book will be published in late August 2024, and in time to do school visits which is my goal for the 24-25 school year. I actually have a box turtle named Swimmy who retired with me when I retired in 2020. My classes year after year, always loved Swimmy. So, it was time for her to have her own book! As far as more Tuxedo Baby Books… perhaps in the future, maybe a holiday book?

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