Darcy Pattison has been connecting stories and children, two of her passions, for decades. In addition to being an author, Pattison is also the publisher at Mims House, an independent press that aims to publish entertaining and informative children’s books. Pattison’s new picture book, Diego, the Galápagos Giant Tortoise, illustrated by Amanda Zimmerman, shines a compelling light on the heroic effort to revive the Española tortoise population, focusing on the titular tortoise who helped repopulate the species during the 40 years he lived at the San Diego Zoo. A starred Kirkus review called the book, recently named a 2022 Eureka! Nonfiction Honor Book by the California Reading Association, a “well-crafted success story of a species’ salvation [that] will encourage budding environmentalists.” It made our list of the 100 best Indie books of the year. Pattison answered our questions via email, and the responses below have been edited for length and clarity.

How did you learn about Diego and the effort to salvage the giant tortoise population on the Galápagos Islands?

My series, Another Extraordinary Animal, already included a bird, a spider, an amphibian, and a mammal. Books in the series have received a starred PW review and two NSTA Outstanding Science Trade book honors. Each book features the unique story of one outstanding individual animal in a species: an orphaned puma, a spider who goes to space, the oldest known wild bird in the world, and the true story of the celebrated jumping frog of Calaveras County [in California]. I was looking for a fascinating reptile story when I heard that the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative was declaring their Española project successful and returning tortoises to their native island. I reached out through friends in the conservation community and connected with Linda Cayot, who had been the main herpetologist on the project for 30 years. She directed the Galápagos breeding programs, worked with volunteers, and faithfully advocated for the giant tortoises and other endangered species.

When you have the rare privilege of talking with such an expert, it’s easy to get excited about a project. Sadly, Linda passed away this year, so it’s especially poignant to have a book that celebrates the work of one of the great lights in the conservation world.

What motivated you to tell this story, and why did you choose to tell it as a picture book?

Success! Humans saved a species from extinction. It took expert scientists, many volunteers, and over 50 years, but we did it! In the midst of today’s doom and gloom, I wanted to give young conservationists and scientists a bit of hope. It may be hard, but we can make a difference.

How did your collaboration with illustrator Amanda Zimmerman come about?

Illustrator Amanda Zimmerman is a pro. I saw her portfolio on the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators website, and it turned out that she loved the tortoise’s story. For such a book, anatomy is crucial, but to elevate the story to a different level, the illustrator must also be able to tell a story with their art. Amanda does that skillfully, using images to build drama and excitement.

It’s the small things that matter. For example, on the last page, the text reads: “Sometimes, humans get it right.” Amanda lifts the tortoise’s head in triumph, echoing the words, which is brilliant. She’s done a coloring page for Diego, which is available free on our website.

It’s story hour at the library. Who is the ideal person to be reading your book to the kids?

Anyone motivated by the widespread need for conservation and a desire to pass that passion on to kids! Teachers tell me that they are reading this to preschoolers because it’s easy to understand and it’s a hopeful story. They consider it a good introduction to conservation because it doesn’t hide the difficulties of such a project yet it ends with success.

What book published in 2022 was among your favorites?

Kellie Flanagan McIntyre’s book The Passport Project: Two Sisters Ditch Middle School for a Life-Changing Journey Around the World is a semiautobiographical middle-grade novel about a family’s global journey. Kellie nails the voices of the preteen and teen girls who narrate the story. It’s a stunning book.

Nina Palattella is the editorial assistant.