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A Deep Love For Protecting Wildlife
Endangered Animals ABC is a colorful and heartfelt picture book that introduces young readers to a wide variety of endangered animals, organized alphabetically from Armadillo to Zebra. What was the inspiration for this children’s book?
This book was born from my deep love for wildlife and a strong desire to protect it. After years of working on conservation projects and witnessing firsthand how quickly our oceans and ecosystems are changing, I find it heartbreaking to think that so many incredible animals are on the brink of extinction and could disappear forever.
I believe the future of these species depends not only on our actions, but also on how we raise the next generation. That’s why I created this book: to help children connect with the natural world early on, to care about these animals, and to understand that even small choices can make a meaningful difference.
The structure of the book, presenting animals alphabetically, makes it easy for young readers to follow and meet each animal while enjoying the illustrations. For those ready to dive deeper, there’s also a section with more information about each animal. This makes the book ideal for children who are learning their ABCs and beginning to read, as well as for those who are already reading. It serves as an engaging early introduction to the issue of endangered wildlife and conservation. Our kids are the future leaders and decision-makers, and the values we teach them today will guide them to protect the planet tomorrow.
What I loved about this children’s book is that it goes beyond teaching the alphabet with fun animals; it explains what makes an animal endangered and the conservation efforts that go into saving them. What was your process to teaching this important information while still keeping it accessible to young readers?
My goal was to introduce big ideas like extinction, conservation, and environmental responsibility in a way that feels gentle and age-appropriate. I did this by choosing simple, clear explanations and focusing on just one or two key facts for each animal. Each animal is so fascinating, I felt like I could write a whole book about each one! That was actually the hardest part: deciding what to include and what to leave out.
To support parents and educators, I also included a special section that briefly explains what “endangered” means, introduces the IUCN, and outlines why animals become endangered. This part is designed to help adults start deeper conversations with their kids, at whatever level feels right for them. In addition, I offer free educational worksheets, extended information, and craft ideas on my website to help families continue the learning journey together.
I really enjoyed creating the illustrations, they are colorful and vibrant to draw kids in and help them enjoy discovering each animal. Some they may already know, without realizing those animals are endangered, while others will be completely new to them.
Unfortunately, there are so many endangered animals that I couldn’t include them all in one book. I had to make tough choices about which species to highlight. But my hope is that this book is just the beginning, that it sparks curiosity and opens the door to learning more.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope readers come away with a sense of connection, that these animals aren’t just distant creatures, but part of the same beautiful world we all share. Each one is unique and faces real, often urgent, challenges. My goal is to spark curiosity in young readers and help them understand that without action, these endangered animals could disappear forever. I truly believe it all begins with education, and if this book inspires children to learn more, or take even a small step toward helping, then it has accomplished what I hoped it would.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when is that book due out?
I’m currently working on a new book focused on ocean conservation and the vital role coral reefs play in the health of our planet. It will introduce kids to the wonders of underwater ecosystems and inspire them to protect our oceans. The release is planned for later this year.
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Each page showcases an endangered animal from A to Z with vibrant, gorgeous illustrations. From Armadillo to Zebra, explore lesser-known species like the Monjon and Vaquita, or discover familiar creatures you didn’t know are endangered, like the Bumblebee and Whale shark.
Join the movement to protect our planet’s wildlife with this must-have addition to your library and ignite a love for nature in the next generation!
Endangered Animals ABC
Endangered Animals ABC is a colorful and heartfelt picture book that introduces young readers to a wide variety of endangered animals, organized alphabetically from Armadillo to Zebra. Each letter of the alphabet showcases a different animal, alongside charming illustrations. At the end of these ABC-style entries are thoughtful educational pages explaining the causes of endangerment, what conservation means, and how kids—and their families—can help. The tone is gentle but urgent, blending love for animals with a quiet call to action.
I found this book both educational and thought-provoking. The writing is simple but purposeful, clearly crafted for little ears while still managing to carry real weight with it’s message at the end. Medalsy doesn’t shy away from big ideas like extinction or habitat loss, but she frames them in a way that feels hopeful instead of heavy. A mix of delight and awareness. Also, any book that makes “X” work with “Xenosaurus” gets extra points in my book.
The illustrations are truly something special—vibrant, bold, and full of life. The use of rich, textured colors and dramatic lighting gives each animal a larger-than-life presence, making them feel majestic and unforgettable. It’s art that doesn’t just complement the words—it amplifies them, pulling kids (and adults) right into the heart of the wild.
Endangered Animals ABC feels like a love letter: to wildlife, to curious kids, and maybe even to the author’s own children (as the dedication suggests). I’d recommend it to parents, teachers, and caregivers looking for a way to introduce conservation early on, without doom and gloom. It’s a great pick for preschoolers through early elementary schoolers that are learning the alphabet and who already have a soft spot for animals.
Pages: 78 | ASIN : B0DZ68JG4M
Marvel at the Magic
The Paper Butterfly follows a delicate butterfly as she emerges from her glass cocoon and takes flight while protecting a tiny monarch egg till it hatches and joins her on her adventure. What was the inspiration for your story?
My garden is a registered Monarch Waystation and a Canadian Wildlife Federation Habitat Garden. Three summers ago, while placing the tiny Monarch Watch paper ID tags on a couple of newly eclosed monarchs, I felt compelled to write and illustrate a story about their migration south to help raise awareness about this amazing species.
My protagonist in the book, a paper butterfly, evolved because the Monarch Watch tags are made of paper. A single piece of paper is also known as a ‘leaf of paper’, and monarch butterflies shelter under leaves for protection against the elements. From these connections, the idea for ‘The Paper Butterfly’ was born.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
When I worked as a teacher of the deaf one 13-year-old once said to me ‘Mrs Kingdon, you don’t teach us. We just have fun and I learn.’ It made me think about both education and the way most of us continue to learn through life. We absorb information when we are engaged; when we laugh or cry, get angry or empathize, not when we are given a list of isolated facts that have no meaning. It was the student’s words that echoed in my mind as I wrote The Paper Butterfly. As we laugh with, cry with, or feel many other emotions with her, we too are absorbing information.
I wanted the book to appeal on many levels to different age groups because, as both a teacher and a parent, I know that, even if it is essentially a story for children, it won’t be just children who will read, or become engaged in the book.
To the young, the paper butterfly will probably become as real as any butterfly in their minds. They will learn about the environment and marvel at the magic of metamorphosis with her. They will hopefully want to track her adventures on maps and follow her process as she migrates. A teenager, on the other hand, might be encouraged to reflect on what true beauty is and take on board the message the veteran monarch conveys. They might also empathize with the paper butterfly as she tries to find how she fits into the world and what her ultimate purpose is. To a mother reading the book, their focus may be more on the caring and love that the paper butterfly shows others. To someone who loves nature, whatever their age, it may encourage them to discover more about raising and tagging monarchs or making their garden a more pollinator-friendly environment. To someone older, it might encourage them to look more closely at the world around them and notice the small pockets of magic that the paper butterfly is so good at seeing.
If the book encourages people to dwell upon the questions the paper butterfly asks as she interacts with the world around her then, to me, it has been successful; if there is discussion or reflection afterwards, even better. Many of the questions the paper butterfly asks have no right or wrong answer and this in itself is an important thing to learn especially when reading to or working with children. Very little in life is black or white, yes or no. There are so many factors that can affect things including our experiences. Knowing that it is ok not to know the whole answer at that moment is important too. If we want to improve our world these are the things we need to be encouraging.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
As a young child, I grew up in the world of the theatre, so bringing the characters to life in the book was the part I enjoyed the most. Each animal that the paper butterfly meets became real in my mind. I imagined the Karner Blue butterfly that the paper butterfly meets early in her adventures as a knowledgeable university professor, the father of the Child of the Moon as a battle-worn veteran returning from duty, and the spider, who is my only animal antagonist in the book, as one of the witches of Macbeth to name but a few. All three were such fun to bring to life. My favourite part to write, however, was when the paper butterfly first met the Child of the Moon. As my two main characters of the book, I wanted to form a strong bond between them from the onset, and having such a young, innocent character to play with meant I could really have fun with it. I have made a short video of me reading a small snippet from this first interaction. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
What next book are you working on, and when will it be available?
I actually liken the creation of any book to the metamorphosis of a butterfly. At first, you have the small egg of an idea. The ideas grow and seem like a lumbering caterpillar with too many legs. The idea needs to be broken back down to the essence of what I want to convey, then and only then can I let my imagination truly fly. With my next book, I am still at the lumbering caterpillar stage, with way too many legs or ideas, so I am slowly breaking it down to its essence and then I will be ready to share my process of creation. I can reveal though that it will be brimming with watercolours and will be ecologically/conservation-based as these are where my two main passions lie.
When will it be available? Some things are just worth waiting for. To me, the joy is in the creation so writing and illustrating a book is not something I want to rush. I love to include my followers in the process of creation, so if you want to jump on board as I create the next book, follow me on Facebook, or bookmark my website. These will be the two places where I share my next journey of creation with you all.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Emotive Expressions | Website | YouTube | Amazon
The paper butterfly felt certain that her Maker had designed her to be beautiful, but she also wondered if there was a deeper reason why he had created her. Skillfully formed with many paper folds, she knew that he never intended her to take to the skies. But when a sudden gust of wind lifts her out of an open window, she is propelled into a world brimming with life, beauty, and adventure. How can a mere paper butterfly, however expertly crafted, play a role in this fascinating place?
With over 80 breathtaking watercolour illustrations, this book takes you on a journey of discovery through the eyes of the paper butterfly. Feel her curiosity as she eagerly interacts with the environment around her. Sense her excitement as she experiences the life cycle of the endangered monarch butterfly and sees, first-hand, the magic of metamorphosis. Connect with her as she befriends, defends, and journeys with a super monarch on his epic migration south. Follow her quest to discover her true purpose.
The Paper Butterfly
In The Paper Butterfly, Ona Kingdon weaves an evocative narrative that captures the delicate beauty of life through the journey of a Paper Butterfly. Crafted with care by the Maker, the Paper Butterfly listens intently from within her glass cocoon until the day she takes flight. Venturing into the vast world beyond, she encounters new friends and places, all the while reflecting on her purpose as she tends to a tiny monarch egg, endearingly called the Child of the Moon. When the egg hatches, the two form an enduring bond, embarking together on the profound adventure of life.
This poignant story is more than a simple tale. It is a deeply emotional exploration of the interconnectedness of all living beings. As Paper Butterfly and Child of the Moon navigate their shared path, themes of belonging, growth, and mutual impact unfold gracefully. Through their experiences, readers are reminded that life is a fragile but sacred tapestry where every thread matters.
Kingdon deftly intertwines environmental themes, emphasizing responsibility and awareness through the trials of the monarch migration. The depiction of a veteran monarch explaining the significance of his tattered wings stands out as a highlight, offering a profound message: scars are not marks of defeat but beautiful testaments to survival. This moment encapsulates the book’s soul, leaving a lasting impression. The backdrop of Kingdon’s stunning watercolor illustrations and the depth of the storytelling create a vibrant world that captures the emotional spectrum with artistry and warmth.
A journey of joy and sorrow, resilience and loss, The Paper Butterfly speaks to readers aged 12 and up who appreciate stories that resonate deeply and provoke thought. Mortality, danger, and the unyielding forces of nature shape the butterflies’ path, making this a tale as much about courage and hope as it is about the cycles of life.
Pages: 158 | ISBN : 098671111X
Heroic Role Models
Sophie the Monarch Butterfly: Mission to Mexico follows a small young Monarch butterfly who is determined to lead her group of butterflies to Mexico even when faced with challenges. What was the inspiration for your story?
We all know that Monsanto’s genetically engineered crops and the pesticides they promote can wreak havoc on our farms, food, and environment. But did you know they are also playing a big role in the quickly disappearing Monarchs? Roundup doesn’t kill Monarchs directly but rather kills their primary food source, the milkweed plant.
I belong to an organization called Friends of the Earth which is dedicated to saving endangered species including insects such as bees and butterflies.
When I read in their newsletter that the North American Monarch Butterfly population has declined by 90 percent due to the use of Roundup on the milkweed plant, their only food source, I decided to write a story about these beautiful creatures and their incredible migratory patterns. As an author of books for children, I am always looking for heroic role models who kids can relate to. Monarch butterflies who appear delicate and fragile but who must undertake this amazing journey in order to survive seemed like a good adventure storyline if I could create a strong lead character in a butterfly. Sophie the Monarch Butterfly is about a precious and brave little butterfly who we follow from the moment she hatches through her life cycle as she leads an annual migration of Monarchs 3000 miles from North America to Mexico. She must overcome obstacles and disbeliefs from her own community along the way. Sophie is also the name of my first grandchild, and both granddaughter and butterfly share the same attributes of belief in self, leadership, good judgment, and caring for others.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Scientists do not fully understand the navigational abilities of Monarch Butterflies. Every fall, North American monarch butterflies make the journey from their breeding grounds to their overwintering sites. Sophie emerges from her cocoon on a milkweed plant east of the Rocky Mountains, near the Canadian border. As the weather turns colder, she joins other monarchs traveling from their summer breeding grounds south to Mexico. She survives this long journey by making stops at refuge sites with abundant nectar from milkweed plants and shelter from the harsh elements. She instinctively knows to overwinter along with millions of other monarch butterflies in the central mountain forests, clinging to Oyamel trees from October to late March. The mountain hillsides of Oyamel forest provide an ideal climate for Sophie. The temperature is mild. The humidity in the Oyamel forest assures the monarchs won’t dry out, allowing them to conserve their energy. When the weather turns warm, Sophie starts her return journey, but only a short distance before she lays her own eggs on a milkweed plant and, after her caterpillars hatch, stays behind as they continue their journey north. Her journey and life cycle are over along with the story.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?
I think I’ll let my dear friend, Linda Chambers, who illustrated Sophie address this question. For me, all I can say is that we worked together, two hands in one glove, knowing that for a children’s book, the illustrations tell the story as much if not more than the words. I changed words as Linda’s sketches came to life to help her make them even more powerful. Take it away Linda…
“I’m very familiar with Celia’s work and was thrilled that she’d asked me to create Sophie; at the same time, the task of bringing such an important story to life was daunting. Celia’s Sophie is a hero, a champion. Sophie matters. It all came down to both understanding and honoring the story Celia was telling. We divided up the text, stanza by stanza. We knew the number of pages we’d have to work with. How much could be told by a single illustration, most of which would be spread across two pages? Celia’s poem is powerful, lyrical, and extremely visual. I sketched a variety of possible illustrations based on her text. Gradually, Sophie came to life for both of us. Celia was supportive and enthusiastic from beginning to end. Every suggestion she made lifted the work.”
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I always write about endangered species because as time goes on, the majority of these species become more endangered due to population growth, corporate greed, poaching, and sadly, game hunting for sport. If just one child is captured by the story of a baby elephant, honey bee, red panda, or butterfly and is motivated to get involved, then the story has value beyond simply being a sweet story about an animal or insect. A good example is my next book, Charlotte, A Yellowstone Wolf Pup in which the main character is a wolf pup whose mother is an Alpha Wolf, a leader of a pack of 12 wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Charlotte is a very independent little pup and must learn that, in order to survive in the wilds of the park, she must conform to the rules of the pack. Charlotte, Yellowstone Pup will be coming out in early 2025. I want to mention that, once I’ve completed the story, I research which charities are most impactful when it comes to teaching or actively saving the endangered species in the story. I use Charity Navigator to vet my choices. When I receive a royalty check from Leschenault Press for a specific book, I donate the entire amount to one of the charities listed on the back cover of the book.
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For children of all ages, Sophie Monarch Butterfly, Mission to Mexico explores what it takes to believe in yourself and take the lead when the welfare of others is at stake. It is also a story of one of our most endangered species, Monarch Butterflies, and their inspiring and courageous annual migration from North America to Mexico and back again.
LITERARY TITAN 