Felina's New Home: A Florida Panther Story

Felina the Florida panther loved growing up in her forest home, until the forest starts to shrink! Trees begin to disappear, and Felina doesn't understand the new busy highway in the neighborhood. Other animals are in danger, too. Will Felina find a way to survive as humans threaten to ruin her home? Environmental science writer Loran Wlodarski gives children a look into deforestation and endangered animals in Felina's New Home: A Florida Panther Story, complemented by the detailed, emotive illustrations of Lew Clayton. Learn whether the animals in Felina's forest adapt to the new human presence and what children can do to keep wild animals safe, happy, and healthy.

"This is a wonderful story for young children about how the wants/needs of humans impacts nature and wildlife. Loran Wlodarski, an environmental science writer, handles the topic perfectly for this age group, as while he addresses a very serious subject that could potentially worry children, he finds a way to make the story end on a positive note, by showing how some humans choose to help these animals that are being endangered by deforestion. This is definitely a book to include in your science library!" -Katie's Literature Lounge

"Lew Clayton’s illustrations help bring this important story to life. Whether we see garbage in the water supply or sharp cans that cause injury to the animals, Ms. Clayton’s colorful illustrations transport you to the Florida forest. As a teacher I recommend this book for everyone’s library." -Kathy Stemke

"A charming and important story about the importance of conservation and preservation, Felina’s New Home takes children into the rapidly shrinking natural world of one of the world’s most rare, beautiful mammals and brings a message of hope that it is not too late for Florida panthers, one of the most endangered species in the world." -Lisa Ostberg, President of the Friends of the Florida National Wildlife Refuge

Author/Illustrator Info:

Loran Wlodarski (Felina's New Home, Fall Spring 2010, and If a Dolphin Were a Fish) is a science writer for SeaWorld and has written six books for them in addition to his many normal daily responsibilities. He has been published in sources such as Grolier's Encyclopedia for Children and The Marine Mammal Encyclopedia. In addition, he has served as a scientific consultant for "Ask Magazine", Random House Books, Animal Planet, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Loran has raised animals his entire life. One of his early jobs at SeaWorld's Education Department was to raise some of their animals - newly hatched sharks, macaws, turtles, tropical fish, and iguanas. Loran lives with his wife and child in Florida.

Lew Clayton (Felina's New Home, Spring 2010) has worked as an illustrator for 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brigham Young University, and he is a Graphic Designer in the Media Industry. He is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. His medium of choice is Prismacolor colored pencil, and his favorite subject matters are people and animals. He has two previously published books: The Adventures of Willy B and Archie's Christmas Tale. Felina's New Home is his first picture book with Sylvan Dell Publishing. Visit Lew's website.