When nature is your inspiration, the possibilities are endless.
Inspiring Curiosity & Exploration through Reading
My love of nature began with my parents, especially my dad—a geologist whose curiosity and appreciation for the natural world continue to inspire me decades after his passing. Today, I share that passion with my husband and son as we explore National and State Parks, wildlife refuges, animal sanctuaries, and other wild places together.
Those adventures, and especially my son’s incredible curiosity about National Parks, became the inspiration for the Charlie Armadillo series. He is the “Red” in Red Ribbit Reads and a daily reminder of why I create books that inspire curiosity, kindness, and a love of the natural world.
A Real-Life National Parks Explorer
Long before Charlie Armadillo began exploring National Parks, my son was busy exploring them himself. His encyclopedia, maps, Junior Ranger adventures, park stamps, and endless curiosity became part of the inspiration for Charlie’s adventures.
Banff & Jasper National Parks (2014)
Rocky Mountain National Park (2017)
Okefanokee National Wildlife Refuge (2018)
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (2019)
The National Parks Encyclopedia! (2018)
Trekking the National Parks board game! (2017-Present & still playing)
National Parks t-shirt … here we are in Channel Islands (2019)
National Park stamps (Glacier Bay, 2019)
Celebrating our 10th NP @ Yellowstone (2021)
Working hard @ Wind Cave (2022)
Keeping us on the trail @ Mount Rainier (2024)
Yosemite Lower Falls (2026) – Time slow down!
Down the Trail
Long Term Goals
My hope is that every book I create gives back—to children, to animals, or to the natural world. Dreaming big is part of the fun, and yes… I absolutely think Charlie Armadillo would make a pretty great National Park Junior Ranger mascot someday.
Through my National Parks Explorer series, I donate $1 from every book sold, along with an annual contribution, to the National Parks Foundation. Today, Charlie Armadillo books can be found in the visitor centers at Channel Islands and Rocky Mountain National Parks, and I hope to see Magic in the Mist on the shelves at Yellowstone one day.
My goal is simple: with every book I create, I’d like to leave a small, positive mark—whether that’s inspiring a young reader, supporting a meaningful cause, or helping protect the places and animals that inspire these stories.
National Parks Explorer Books 