Questions for the author

Toni Albert     

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When I go to schools as a visiting author, I often take kids on “A Rain Forest Adventure.” At the end of my presentation, I ask children what they can do to help save the rain forests. Young children always, always say the same thing. They say, “You could go to the rain forest and tell them to stop cutting it down.”

I started to daydream about two children going to the rain forest. How would they get there? What would they do? What would happen if they told a crew of workmen to stop cutting the rain forest? Before I knew it, my daydream had turned into a new book.

When you wrote about Cammie and Cooper, were you thinking about any real children?

At first I thought about my grandchildren, Avery and Sawyer. But as I wrote about Cammie and Cooper, they seemed to have their own qualities. Cammie is compassionate and determined. Cooper is sturdy and brave, Cammie’s good friend as well as her little brother.

Why did you put Sunflower in the book?

Sunflower is more than a funny, noisy parrot. He is a magical character who makes it possible for Cammie and Cooper to do what they dream of doing.

How did you choose the artist for this book?

I saw some of Carol Bowles’ art at an art festival. It was so colorful and playful that right away, I asked her if she would like to illustrate this book. I’m so glad she said, “Yes.”

Have you ever been to a rain forest?

Before I wrote my book, The Remarkable Rainforest, my husband and I traveled to Costa Rica in Central America. We spent two weeks hiking in the rain forest. Last year, we visited Belize and Guatemala to enjoy the rain forest again. The forests are incredibly beautiful and full of interesting animals and plants.

Do you like writing books? How many books have you written?

I love writing books! I like every step—getting a new idea, learning all I can about the subject, writing and editing, and working with an artist and book designer. I’ve written forty books.

Are all of your books about nature?

Most of my books are about endangered wildlife or endangered wildlands, because I love to teach kids to care for the Earth. I believe that if children learn to love our Earth when they are young, they will protect it when they grow up.

Are you going to write another Cammie and Cooper book?

I don’t know. It would be fun, wouldn’t it?