Today I am sharing my interview with Debra Kim Wolf, celebrating her book, A FAMILY FOR ZOYA: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ENDANGERED CUB, illustrated by Annalisa Durante and Marina Durante which released earlier this year. I appreciate the way Debra has crafted a story that encourages us to think about conservation and the way zoos play a role in that process. Something else that makes my teacher heart happy is the way A FAMILY FOR ZOYA: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ENDANGERED CUB has the story and a 🐾 Did you know fact? on each page, allowing readers to enjoy the story and then go back and read the information or read the extra tidbits as they read the story, depending upon their personal preference. I personally like to read a story and then go back to them or only read the ones that are answering the questions that come to mind while I’m reading but I LOVE that they’re on the page for easy access! What a great text feature for teachers!
Debra is offering one lucky reader an advanced reader copy of A FAMILY FOR ZOYA: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ENDANGERED CUB. (US only) Please comment on this post to be entered in the giveaway and feel free to share it on your social media. Let us know where you share it for an extra entry in the giveaway.
I appreciate the chance to share my story with your readers, Laura.
I’m so glad to have you here, Debra.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
I was a nature-loving bookworm when I was a kid—pretty much like I still am today. I loved looking under rocks, camping, and planetarium shows.
What inspires you?
Time in nature inspires me, particularly if there are mountains, pine forests, and/or a body of water around. I also charge my batteries through going to hear as much live music as possible. And I’m a songwriter and play guitar (badly). I also enjoy reading cookbooks. Yes, I have a lot of hobbies!
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Although people have hurt tigers by destroying much of their habitat, other people are working tirelessly to protect endangered animals via conservation science, passing laws to outlaw hunting, and establishing protected wildlife areas.
What do you have coming next, anything readers can look forward to?
I have another a book about the food chain coming out in 2026 and a few others in the submission pipeline. I’ve been pretty successful in getting published so far, but I would like to focus next on getting an agent. I’m also an editor at a small indie publisher, The Little Press, and we’re coming out with a line of inspiring nature-themed children’s books, in partnership with the nonprofit I run called One Little Earth.
That sounds fantastic, Debra! My readers know that nature is my passion as well.
Learn more about Debra and her upcoming projects at her website:
Laura Roettiger Books 