ABOUT THE BOOK
Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Created by Karen B. Winnick
Ages 7+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | ISBN-13: 978-1626349759
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Publisher’s Book Synopsis: Can You Spot the Leopard? is author/artist Karen B. Winnick’s newest picture book, an adventuresome African safari presented through poems and full-color paintings. Readers begin at sunrise, climbing into a jeep for a bumpy ride to view the wondrous animals as they would on a real safari. All the poems are based on real observations of what animals do in the wild, related in an accessible way. There’s even a sighting, finally, of the elusive leopard, before returning to safari camp under a starry night. At the back of the book, further information is related about each animal. A fun, informational, educational adventure to read and reread.
Ms. Winnick is an animal enthusiast, president of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, and author of more than a dozen picture books, including Gemina: The Crooked-Neck Giraffe, How Lucky Got His Shoe, and Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Karen B. Winnick
KAREN B. WINNICK is the author of more than a dozen picture books for children, most of which she illustrated. An animal lover, she serves on several boards devoted to the well-being of animals. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University, mother of three grown sons, grandmother of eight, and minder of five pups.
An Interview with Karen Winnick
When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
As a young girl, I’d hoped to be an artist. I always drew, and in college, majored in art. I began to write stories to go with my art and decided I wanted to make children’s picture books. I took many writing classes including poetry-writing to develop my skills.
Drawing from your background, what brought you to the writing of this book?
I’ve always loved animals. At a talk about elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo, someone told me, “If you love elephants, you should visit Africa.” I planned a trip to Kenya and Tanzania. Two of my sons and a few friends came. We camped on the Serengeti during the migration. It was wondrous! I took photos and wrote notes. Back home, I shaped my notes into poems and painted the animals.
What research did you do for this book?
My poems are all based on notes observing animals on safari. For the back matter, I researched each animal to add more information. I drew and painted from photos, some from our trip, others combining animals from photos I collect.
If readers have just one takeaway from this book, what do you want it to be?
To learn about the animals and develop compassion and respect for them.
When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?
So much of what I do involves animals. I’ve been a member and now President of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission for many years. The Commission is appointed by the Los Angeles Mayor to ask questions and make suggestions about the zoo. I’m on an environmental board that helps people in many parts of the world protect their habitat and the animals who live there. I’m also involved with a few animal rescues.
My five dogs hang out with me while I work and every afternoon we go on walks. I love to be with my grandkids. Sometimes we paint or read, play games, or visit the zoo, the aquarium, or a museum.
On my own I exercise, read, paint, and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?
I read both non-fiction and fiction. Most important to me is that it’s well-written. I’m in awe of good writing! I enjoy non-fiction about nature, animals, conservation, history, biography. Learning more about what I care about draws me in. I like to read novels with believable characters, stories that touch me emotionally, and again, good writing.
As a former K-12 school Librarian, I have to ask—what is your favorite children’s book?
That’s easy— Charlotte’s Web. My third-grade teacher read it to our class (a long time ago), and I’ve reread it many times.
I loved Wilbur and Charlotte and that’s translated to caring about pigs (I’d never eat one) and spiders (I’d never hurt one).
What advice would you give a child or teen who wants to be a writer?
Pay attention to the world around you, be curious about many things, write down interesting things you see and how you feel about them. Read, read, read. And then write. If you want to play a sport well, you practice. If you want to write well, keep writing.
For more visit, karenbwinnick.com.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!
Ten (10) winners receive:
– A signed copy of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/2022/10/can-you-spot-the-leopard-an-african-safari-the-awareness-tour
This post was created in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Karen B. Winnick.
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