'Columbus' love

When someone questioned the Columbus Zoo outranking the San Diego Zoo, one of the authors of The Top 10 Zoos in America wrote on USA Travel Guide's website that...

Columbus can’t compete with San Diego in sheer variety or even in quality of facilities on many points, this is something that team Columbus would concede, but on the other side, it was agreed (almost) universally that the Columbus Zoo just had a vibe about it. A sense of love, a sense of personality, a sense of realism. How it came down eventually was, “My brain says San Diego, but my heart says Columbus.” We finally went with our hearts.

I couldn't agree more - the Columbus Zoo sure does have a lot of heart!

Columbus Zoo

For the last 30 years I have called the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium home - it has grown into such a wonderful place for families to learn about animals and conservation.

USA Travel Guide agrees with me! Yesterday they released their Top 10 Zoos in American list and Columbus was listed as #1!

This was definitely made possible through the hard work, dedication, and excitement that the employees, docents, community, and zoo visitors alike have for the Columbus Zoo.

Hot off the presses

My publisher, Thomas Nelson, just called to let me know that my newest two books - Romp, Stomp, Waddle Home! and Passport Into The Wild - were awarded gold medals in the animal kingdom category for the 2009 Mom's Choice Awards® for their family-friendly adventures. I am honored that the judges from the Mom’s Choice Awards enjoyed my WILD animal stories. Passport Into The Wild was also awarded a 2008 Family Choice Award in the children's book category.

Passport Into the Wild is an educational adventure for readers, as they travel with me to all seven continents to meet the animals that live there. The book’s unique format includes fold out pages with beautiful pictures from my adventures along with a passport and stickers for readers to document their journey. Kids will love seeing the world with their own eyes and experiencing the adventure of world travel first-hand.

Romp, Stomp, Waddle Home! is an equally exciting adventure for younger readers. When a hippo ends up in the pool and a zebra finds his way to the soccer field, I need the readers help getting all the mixed-up animals back to their correct habitats. With real photographs and movable magnet pieces, children will instantly engage in learning the appropriate places for wild animals to make their homes.