Two Heartwarming Stories of Animals Honored with Gold

SAN DIEGO (June 30, 2021) – Two children’s books published by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press were honored with Gold Awards by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), at their 33nd annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™ virtual “watch party” ceremony on May 11, 2021. Author Georgeanne Irvine’s Hope and Inspiration collection children’s book “Saving Moka: The True Tale of a Rescued Tiger Cub”won gold in the Young Reader: Nonfiction (8–12 years) category, and author Carrie Hasler’s“A Letter from Tashi: A Snow Leopard Tale”won gold in the Children’s Picture Book (4–7 years) category. This is the third year in a row San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press has been recognized with awards from the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™.

Celebrating excellence in book editorial and design, the prestigious IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. The awards are administered by the IBPA, with help from over 160 book publishing professionals—including librarians, bookstore owners, reviewers, designers, publicity managers and editors. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s awards were presented in an online event. Winners were recognized for setting the standards and pace for the publishing industry.

“We are honored to receive these prestigious awards validating the importance of creating poignant books about wildlife that inspire children and teach them valuable lessons which they can bring into their own lives,” said Paul A. Baribault, President and Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “The goal of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press is to ignite a passion for wildlife in children and adults through our books, and motivate them to care about animals and our environment.”

Celebrating excellence in book editorial and design, the prestigious IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. The awards are administered by the IBPA, with help from over 160 book publishing professionals—including librarians, bookstore owners, reviewers, designers, publicity managers and editors. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s awards were presented in an online event. Winners were recognized for setting the standards and pace for the publishing industry.

“Saving Moka: The True Tale of a Rescued Tiger Cub” is a non-fiction story about a tiger cub who was rescued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as he was being smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. He was raised at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with another cub, Rakan, whose mother had rejected him. Veterinarians saved Moka’s life on several occasions—he had health conditions related to the smugglers taking him from his mother at an early age. The story addresses wildlife trafficking in an age-appropriate way for the kids who read the book.

Other Hope and Inspiration books include: “Karen’s Heart: The True Story of Brave Baby Orangutan” (2019 Silver Ben Franklin Award), “Fabulous Floyd: The True Story of a Flamingo Who Never Gave Up,” “Ruuxa & Raina: A Cheetah and Dog’s True Story of Friendship and Miracles” (2019 Gold Ben Franklin Award) and “Mosi Musa: The True Story of a Baby Monkey Raised by His Grandma” (2020 Gold Ben Franklin Award).

“A Letter from Tashi: A Snow Leopard Tale” is about Tashi, a snow leopard cub who lives in the Himalayas with her mother, who delivers mail to the other animals. Tashi discovers a stranger’s mailbox that never receives mail, so she writes a letter of kindness to its owner. When Tashi needs help most, that act of kindness comes back to her in a way she never expected. 

“A Letter from Tashi: A Snow Leopard Tale” is part of the Zoo’s illustrated book collection for younger children. These are fictional stories about wildlife that teach life lessons, as well as introduce children to conservation. Other books in this collection include: “Ty the Quiet Giraffe” (2020 Gold Ben Franklin Award) and “A Wish for Pangolin.”

Irvine, a San Diego native and a 43-year San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, has dedicated more than four decades of her career to raising awareness about animals and wildlife conservation. She is director of publishing for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press and is the author of more than two dozen children’s books about animals.

Carrie Hasler grew up as a quiet kid who loved to read, draw and write. After many years as an elementary school teacher, she combined her passion for education, animals and stories to write books of her own. Hasler joined the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press team as an editor and author in 2017. 

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press books are available online at ShopZoo.com, and through selected book sellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About IBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association

With more than 3,100 members, the nonprofit IBPA is the largest trade association representing independent publishers in the United States. Founded in 1983, its mission is to lead and serve the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success.

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press is the book publishing division of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting its expertise in animal care and conservation science with its dedication to inspire a passion for nature. Through its publishing efforts, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press seeks to inspire multiple generations to care about wildlife, the natural world and conservation.

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.