Raccoons Go Rafting follows a group of mischievous and adventurous raccoons as they go on a rafting trip over the summer. What was the inspiration for your story?

This summer “tail” is based on my adventures as a NYS Whitewater Raft Guide on the Hudson River. The raccoons featured in Raccoons Go Rafting (RGR) are based on guide friends I formed amazing friendships with. Nugget was the nickname I was given on the water by Bandit, the rascally red-vested raccoon. In real life, Bandit was the one who taught me how to raft!

​The art in this book is vibrant and entertaining, making readers wish they were right there on the river with the raccoons. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anthony Richichi?

I have been very fortunate that the indie publisher, Saratoga Springs Publishing (SSP), has such talented illustrators available to her authors! While in the storyboarding process with SSP, we realized that RGR needed an illustrator with a passion for nature and animals as well as a sense of adventure. Anthony possesses all of those traits! During our collaborations, it was amazing to see my stick figure raccoons turn into the adorable furry adventurers featured on the pages of RGR.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

In my debut book, I wanted the Hudson River’s beauty and strength to shine. As a guide, I fell in love with the River and the animals that call it home, therefore I wanted to create an engaging and educational picture book that could grow with young readers. On the first read, this “tail” is very vibrant with short bursts of text but on your second, third, and later reads the different rapids and animals within the pages start to pop. The call of conservation as seen on the map’s signs “Take only memories” and “Leave only pawprints” is another aspect that I like to expand on during my author readings. It is very important that our youth begin to not only experience and fall in love with our vibrant Earth; our youth must also become active in conservation so that they can continue to be a champion for nature as they grow up.

What future adventures do readers have to look forward to with these mischievous raccoons, and when can they expect the next story?

This gang of raccoon friends isn’t done exploring yet! The Raccoons Go Rafting series will be expanding this summer with a trip down the Sacandaga River! This new adventure, Raccoons Ride the Dragonback, will be splashing onto shelves later this summer. Nugget and her friends still have many other river adventures ahead of them with the Moose River, Niagara Falls, and even rivers outside of Nugget’s home state, New York, on their TBR (standing for To Be Rafted) list! Follow our adventures on Facebook for the inside scoop!

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