HELLO, I'M A PANGOLIN
From the husband-and-wife children's book duo and Wild Tomorrow Ambassadors, Hayley and John Rocco, comes a very special new book, Hello, I'm a Pangolin. This picture book dedicated to pangolins is the second in their Meet the Wild Things series that introduces young readers to endangered species from around the globe, giving voice to these amazing animals who are in need of our help. Read more in our latest blog below about how Hayley’s Conservation Experience trip with Wild Tomorrow helped to inform this illustrated, fun fact-filled book for kids!
“Oh, hello.
I didn’t know you were there.
I mostly keep to myself, but if you want to know, I’m a pangolin”
Hello, I’m a Pangolin, a beautiful children’s book by Wild Tomorrow ambassadors Hayley and John Rocco is now available on shelves!
Hayley and John Rocco!
We are beyond excited to announce that our creative storytelling ambassadors, the children’s book husband and wife team, author Hayley Rocco and illustrator John Rocco, have released a new book featuring an endangered species that we care deeply about and work hard to conserve, the pangolin. Published by Penguin Random House, Hello, I’m a Pangolin is the second book in their series Meet the Wild Things, created to teach young readers about this endangered species and human efforts to protect them.
The Rocco's first met Wild Tomorrow while researching pangolins for this very book! Hayley found us while researching online, which led her to our blog post about our work supporting the pangolin reintroduction program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. When she saw we had a two-week conservation experience trip coming up quickly on our trip calendar, she made a last-minute, life-changing decision to join us in the field! During the trip, Hayley met the inspiring team of people caring for Temminck’s pangolins in our region - from the monitors who track them in the field daily, to the veterinarians and our program manager Tori Gray who made Hayley’s ‘meet a pangolin’ wish come true!
Hello, I'm a Pangolin, inspired by Hayley’s research trip to the field with Wild Tomorrow, takes readers on a journey through the life of this incredible animal, exploring its unique characteristics, habitat, and threats from poaching and habitat destruction. With beautiful, zoologically detailed drawings and short, humorous bursts of text in the pangolin’s voice, Hayley and John hope that this story will bring young readers new insights and empathy for the world’s most trafficked mammal.
Building awareness and support for pangolins (starting with getting to know them!) is urgent. It is estimated that as many as 2.7 million African pangolins are being poached each year - disappearing from our planet. Hayley carefully compiled pangolin facts for the book, checking with conservationists, scientists and other experts to ensure accuracy, while writing in a voice that readers of ages 3-7 years will connect to.
“Many people have not even heard of the pangolin, the world’s most trafficked animal. By educating kids that there’s amazing, but very endangered species out there, including the pangolin, we can help cultivate tomorrow’s Jane Goodall. Everyone can be a conservationist by first building empathy for animals and the natural world. That’s why it’s so important and inspiring to see the Rocco’s Meet the Wild Things series doing just that, with accurate science-based stories introducing fascinating endangered species and their awesomeness to young readers.”
Hayley and John understand deeply the importance of teaching children about wildlife and conservation. Through Hello, I’m a Pangolin, they want to inspire readers to learn about lesser-known species, and to understand the importance of their habitats. Their book brings awareness but also shares an encouraging message that anyone can contribute to saving endangered species. “With each animal we try to cover not only the amazing fun facts that make them so special and unique, but also touch on why they are in the predicament they are in and what they offer to the world, whether that’s scientifically or for their ecosystems”, says Hayley Rocco. “We want kids to not only care about these creatures but also proved them with the tools and knowledge so that they too can make a difference. We all can.”
We were particularly delighted to be featured in the acknowledgements, and to see pangolin conservation organizations from our region highlighted including Wild Tomorrow and our partners at the African Pangolin Working Group, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, the Muyawana Conservancy, and more. We hope young readers dig further, like a pangolin looking for ants and termites, to find out more about how they can personally help pangolins.
In the book, John and Hayley express their gratitude to Wild Tomorrow, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and pangolin conservation experts. “Our immense gratitude goes to the wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and pangolin conservation experts working in the field to protect these fascinating and beautiful creatures”, says Hayley and John Rocco, “…with extra-special thanks to Tori Gray and Wild Tomorrow for connecting us with these inspiring conservationists working hard to save pangolins everyday.”
“To say that we are deeply honored to have played a part in Hayley and John’s journey to create ‘Hello, I’m a Pangolin’ is an understatement! Introducing Hayley to her first pangolin on the conservation experience trip back in 2022 was a truly memorable experience. Hayley and John have not only become cherished conservation partners and valued Ambassadors of Wild Tomorrow, but also dear friends. Knowing that this book will inspire and educate children about pangolins fills us with excitement for the positive impact it will have on pangolin conservation and awareness worldwide! Thank you HR & JR!”
John Rocco, Hayley Rocco and Tori Gray in the field together with a sleeping (tranquilized) African elephant
Thank you to John and Hayley for raising awareness about the amazing pangolins we share our planet with and introducing them to the hearts and minds of young readers, their future protectors.
Don’t miss out on this educational and inspiring book. Order your copy of Hello, I’m a Pangolin for your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews today at Bookshop.org and your favorite bookstores.Perhaps you will want to also order the first book as well, Hello, I’m a Sloth, to start your Wild Things collection.
