From Peace Corps to Picture Books – My Journey as a Storyteller

If someone had told me during my time in the Peace Corps that I’d be writing children’s books one day about animal rescues, I might have laughed. Back then, my days were filled with teaching English at the Université de Niamey in Niger, biking through dusty streets, and marveling at goats and chickens mingling with city life.

Every experience in my life — from my childhood growing up in Vallejo, California, to building houses with my family, to my decades in education — led me here. Teaching in West Africa taught me about patience, cultural understanding, and the quiet power of small acts of kindness. Working in Los Angeles schools reminded me daily of the importance of representation, compassion, and giving every child (and every animal) the chance to be seen and heard.

When I retired, I knew I wanted to keep teaching, just in a different way. Through the Pet Rescue Series, I can combine my passions: advocating for animals, celebrating diverse communities, and advocating for increased literacy by telling stories that touch the heart.

Juneau’s Journey is just the beginning. And while I’m no longer in a classroom, I still get to teach — only now my students are readers of all ages.