My family lived in Africa for a year, and during our time we visited Kenya. We went to Lake Nakuru in Nakuru, Kenya, and my youngest son said, “Oh, mommy, those are soooo cute!” I looked at the rocks and I saw nothing. He said, “Mommy, they’re right there!” I examined closer where he was pointing and then I saw it! He was right, they were adorable little creatures sitting on the rocks, blending in so well they were hard to spot. They would jump from rock to rock with such ease. We asked our guide what these creatures were and he began explaining about the rock hyrax.

Kenya also has tree hyraxes, which spend more time in the trees than on the rocks. That night, my son asked me to tell him a story at bedtime. I knew he loved the hyraxes that day, so the rough draft for Rocky’s Courageous Rescue originated that night.

I’m so grateful for the way God put this little book in my heart and mind and how amazing His creation is! I am thankful other kids will get to fall in love with Rocky and the rock hyraxes just like my family had the opportunity to.