Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Hayley Rocco!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Hayley Rocco
Hayley Rocco is the author of How to Send a Hug, her first collaboration with her husband, John Rocco. Before dedicating herself to writing for children full-time, Hayley worked as a publicist at several major publishers. An ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on conservation and rewilding South Africa, Hayley travels the world armed with a pen, a journal, and her camera, discovering stories of wild things and wild places. Visit Hayley at hayleyrocco.com and follow her on Instagram @hayleyroccobooks.
Website * Instagram * Non-Profit
Meet the Author: John Rocco
John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award. John, also an ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, ventures with Hayley into the wild in search of stories they can bring back and share with readers everywhere. John and Hayley live in Rhode Island in an old house tucked in the woods near the sea. Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart.
About the Book: Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough
An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough—stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree.
As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of show: He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David’s innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people.
But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do?
This is the story of David Attenborough. It’s also the story of our planet, which has changed rapidly over the course of one person’s lifetime, and a clarion call for us to do our part to bring back the wild places and protect the creatures who call Earth home.
~Author Chat~
YABC: Why did you decide to write a biography of David Attenborough?
If you grew-up watching nature documentaries, chances are, they were narrated by Sir David Attenborough. If you’re unsure whether you have or not, simply listen to his voice. David Attenborough has been inspiring generations of humans to explore and care for the natural world we live in for over seven decades. It only seemed natural to introduce young readers to his inspiring story and hopefully spark conversation about how they can help better our planet, too.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I think it’s important to remind myself that the first draft is just a first draft. It won’t be perfect. Writing is a process, and it takes a lot of work to massage a story into something that works. Of course, I don’t think it will ever be perfect, but that’s another discussion for another day.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
How to decide on just one thing… I adore the lush greenery which was inspired by the rainforests of Costa Rica where we visited a few years ago. Even a few of our houseplants make a guest appearance here. John masterfully puts us right there with David who seems to be saying “come with me, there’s a world to explore together.” I’m always in awe of how he creates his captivating covers—he makes it look effortless. Be sure to check out the case cover, too! It’s very special indeed.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
This is an exciting year for both of us. We are launching five books beginning with Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough and the first three books in our Meet the Wild Things series which showcases individual endangered animals who tell readers about themselves, why they’re awesome, why they’re endangered, and what people are doing to help them. They are Hello, I’m a Sloth, Hello, I’m a Pangolin and Hello, I’m a Quokka. We’re also incredibly excited about our second fiction picture book together which launches in the fall about a book hoarding chipmunk who discovers the magic that is a library card in All the Books.
YABC: What was the most difficult part about writing/illustrating this book?
The most difficult part of writing a biography centered around how the world has changed in one man’s lifetime, was writing about climate change in the backmatter. Breaking down these complex concepts into a more digestible format was no simple task. Fortunately, I have a great teammate who is on hand to give me feedback! (Looking at you, John. 😉
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
My dream would be for readers to not only feel inspired but empowered to take action to restore wildlife and wild places in some way, whether it’s being more mindful of what they consume, or simply using reusable shopping bags to rescuing pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade and rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild. There are so many ways we can help, because at the end of the day, if we restore biodiversity and wildlife, we save ourselves. It’s important for us all to remember that we’re a part of nature. If nature thrives, we thrive…if nature is destroyed…well…
YABC: What would you say your overall hope is for Wild Places and Meet the Wild Things?
My hope is to celebrate the community of conservation and amplify the work they are doing in the field this very minute… working day in and day out to save and protect wildlife and restore the habitats they need to survive. If there’s anything we hope to achieve it’s not only to raise awareness of these creatures, some we’re familiar with, some we are not, but to cast a spotlight on these conservation warriors on the frontlines and honor the work they’re doing by amplifying their important work through storytelling.
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
Well, this is an easy one to answer! It was my first trip to South Africa with Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit that is working to restore wildlife and wild places in KwaZulu-Natal where I had the experience of a lifetime: I participated in the dehorning of rhinos (a safe method of trimming their horns in order to protect them from poachers), walked alongside a pangolin rescued from the wildlife illegal trade and witnessed it acclimating to its new home back in the wild first-hand, and volunteered at a rhino orphanage where most of the young rhino orphans traumatically watched their mothers being poached in front of them. It was probably the first time in my life where I truly felt connected to nature—I wish that everybody could experience this once in a lifetime adventure.
Title: Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough
Author: Hayley Rocco
Illustrator: John Rocco
Release Date: 2/27/2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
ISBN-13: 9780593618097
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 4-8
*Giveaway Details*
Five (5) winners will receive a copy of Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough (Hayley Rocco) ~ US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway!*
my son would go feral for this
This looks like a fun adventurous book. Thanks for the opportunity to win it
David Attenborough is a hero in our home!! We would love to add this book to our nature collection ❤️
Looks like a great read!
Looks amazing and adventurous
This looks stunning!
The cover is gorgeous! I can’t wait to read this.