What do you need to feel happy about being different? Based loosely on real life experiences, this heartwarming and powerful book illustrates how self-awareness, and courage help a young boy named, Raymond learn the difference, between seeing things, as they appear to be and seeing things as they are. Feeling "different and lonely", Raymond befriends a hippo while on Safari in Africa. Unlike other grey hippos, this hippo is pink. Ray is soon carried into a world beyond labels and challenging assumptions. You will never guess what happens next!
Inspired by real-life adventure, the story behind the story unfolded when I went on an African safari back in 2001. The trip was, led by my father, whose dream was to share the safari experience with his family. Little did I know that this trip was going to incite me to write a children's adventure book but it did.
Revealing that life has a way of offering opportunities and nature has a way of expressing them The storyline made it appearance when my family spotted a pod of hippos and one was pink! My son Ray fourteen at the time immediately named her "Rosie". Curious and wanting to learn more about this hippo we asked the guide many questions about hippos and hippo behavior. Specifically I wanted to know why the pink hippo stood so far outside of her pod. The familiarity of the guides answer took me by surprise, he explained that "Rosie" was tolerated, but not necessarily accepted by the herd because of her differences. As a parent of a child with special needs I immediately felt a strong affiliation with Rosie's situation as did my son Ray who has experienced his own challenges with acceptance. Inspired, I decided to share the story with the world by weaving them into a children's adventure book that celebrates differences. The book is entitled "A Different Kind of Safari". Find out what you can learn from Rosie the pink hippo, and how you can share those lessons with the children in your life.
