By Leslie Lindsay
8 year-old Kate goes on an African Safari with her family and is so intrigued, she and her professional guide turn cross-continental emails into a book for children.
BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK, MAY 6-12
There’s nothing I love more than children sharing their passion. That’s what happened with this book, LET’S GO ON SAFARI (Crickhollow Books, May 6 2019), when Kate, an eight-year-old went on a safari with her family in Africa and befriended her guide, Michelle. This book is packed with amazing photos, conversation facts, and most of all–it teaches kids to be an advocate for wildlife. But not only that, it’s the story of two authors–one adult, one child, and how they are living their passion. LET’S GO ON SAFARI invites readers to join in the thrill of a safari while also maintaining a positive force in animal advocacy. LET’S GO ON SAFARI is intended for children of all ages, but might be best geared toward those ages 5+.
National Tourism Week, May 6-12
In fact, authors Kate Gilman Williams and Michelle Campbell are donating royalities to organizations across the globe who work to protect animals. How cool is that?! These organizations aid in the poaching crisis and promote youth activism, including:
33% to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
33% to the Jane Goodall Institute
33% to Global Wildlife Conservation
I had the opportunity to catch up with Kate and Michelle to chat about this book and they are both pretty darn impressive. Please join us.
Leslie Lindsay:
Hi Kate! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Can you tell us Where you live now?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Austin, Texas.
Michelle Campbell:
Born in Osuth, Africa, grew up in S.E. Asia & UK. Now live in South Africa.
Leslie Lindsay:
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kate Gilman Williams:
A Broadway actor.
Michelle Campbell:
I ALWAYS wanted to be a safari guide! My first real (memorable) safari was when I was 7 years old. I was sitting on the tracker’s seat, and I told my dad I wanted to be game ranger!
Leslie Lindsay:
What is your education/career background?
Kate Gilman Williams:
I am in third grade at Trinity Episcopal School.
Michelle Campbell:
Degree in International Economics, and professional field guide qualifications, including walking & rifle qualifications.
Leslie Lindsay:
Do you have any pets?
Kate Gilman Williams:
I have three dogs and one bunny.
Michelle Campbell:
No human kids, but I raised two genets (a nocturnal, catlike mammal found in Africa, southwestern Europe, and Arabia) that were abandoned by their mother… they literally fell off my roof!. I raised them, taught them to hunt and released them back into the wild – a bittersweet moment.
Leslie Lindsay:
Where/When do you best like to write?
Kate Gilman Williams:
I like writing on my couch in the evening.
Michelle Campbell:
In the bush! Sitting outside, with the birds chirping and wildlife grazing peacefully – it is a true escape and never fails to inspire.
Leslie Lindsay:
When you are struggling to write/have writer’s block, what are some ways that help you find your creative muse again?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Reading back over my writing.
Michelle Campbell:
Running! It always clears my mind and lets me get lost in thought.
Leslie Lindsay:
What do you think makes a good story?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Interesting characters and lots of dialogue.
Michelle Campbell:
One that is well rounded, where you get the full story and the opportunity to form your own opinion as a result. I think stories that touch our emotions often end up being good ones!
Leslie Lindsay:
Is there a message/theme in your book that you want readers to grasp?
Kate Gilman Williams:
That saving African animals and not poaching is important – and I want to tell kids they can make a difference, too.
Michelle Campbell:
Wild animals are in danger – not just from poaching, but human wildlife conflict and loss of habitat. If we don’t do something to stop this downward spiral, we will lose so many of these incredible species to extinction.
ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY IS MAY 17
Leslie Lindsay:
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?
Kate Gilman Williams:
How long it took to find a publisher
Michelle Campbell:
We asked a panel of kids to read (and help us edit) our book, and I was surprised to learn how few of them knew about the threats facing wildlife in Africa. That made me feel even more compelled to tell this story and spread the word.
Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com
Leslie Lindsay:
What was your greatest challenge in writing this book?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Figuring out how to start it – and how to end it!
Michelle Campbell:
The time difference! And language – how some phrases and words that we use in South Africa are not used in America. There was some funny confusions between Kate and I – like lavatory and potty!!
Leslie Lindsay:
On the weekend, what are you most likely to be doing?
Kate Gilman Williams:
At the gym playing volleyball, reading, and having a playdate.
Michelle Campbell:
I love to be outside – walking, birding or exploring. I also enjoy watching rugby, having a braai (bbq!) with friends and family, and playing sports.
Leslie Lindsay:
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Kate Gilman Williams:
J.K Rowling and Stuart Gibbs.
Michelle Campbell:
Wilbur Smith, Tim Butcher, Peter Godwin, Alexander McCall Smith
Leslie Lindsay:
Do you have a bucket list? What are some of the things on it?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Traveling to Paris, and publishing some of the other stories I’ve written.
Michelle Campbell:
I ticked some huge items off my bucket list during my conservation expedition this year: I got to see see gorillas, chimps and even a shoebill! One day I would love to travel on safari to the Pantanal to see Jaguars, and India to see tigers – the comparison to our African cats would be incredible to experience.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Leslie Lindsay:
What person(s) has/have helped you the most in your career?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Michelle, who I wrote this book with, and my mom.
Michelle Campbell:
My father – his encouragement to follow my dreams and endless enthusiasm for my “bush lifestyle” has been a huge support.
Leslie Lindsay:
What’s the best writing advice you have ever received?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Don’t give up!
Michelle Campbell:
Write from your heart.
Leslie Lindsay:
What was your favorite book as a child?
Kate Gilman Williams:
The Harry Potter books.
Michelle Campbell:
Born Free by Joy Adamson
“Installing a respect for and love of wildlife within our youth is key to ensuring the survival of earth’s most treasured species. Kate’s clever book takes children on a journey, introducing readers to Africa’s animals in such a way that one cannot help but fall in love with them and want to play a role in securing their future.”
-Angela Sheldrick, CEO, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Leslie Lindsay:
What is the one book no writer should be without?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Let’s Go On Safari!
Michelle Campbell:
A notebook!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Leslie Lindsay:
How does your family feel about your writing career?
Kate Gilman Williams:
They are VERY proud of me.
Leslie Lindsay:
If your book was turned into a movie, who would you like to play you?
Kate Gilman Williams:
Emma Watson – she played Hermione in the Harry Potter movies.
For more information, to connect with the authors, or to purchase a copy of LET’S GO ON SAFARI, please visit:
Order Links:
Also, Kate and her family will match the monies raised with a personal donation to
The Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.
So when you purchase this book–you’re not only learning more about these animals, you’re helping save endangered animals.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Kate Gilman Williams wrote this book when she was 8 years old. A trip she took to South Africa – and the friendship that developed with her safari guide, Michelle Campbell – inspired her to write Let’s Go On Safari! Upon learning about the threats facing wildlife, Kate came home determined to do something to help the animals who were being harmed by humans – and she knew her generation could help. Kate is now 9 years old and in third grade at Trinity Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. Her favorite subjects are writing and art. She also enjoys acting and playing volleyball.
Michelle Campbell was born in South Africa, raised in Asia and schooled in the UK. Working as an economist in the Middle East, it was her love for nature that drew her back home to South Africa, where she worked as a safari guide for 6 years. Driven to make a more meaningful contribution to conservation, she spent a year volunteering for wildlife projects in Southern and Eastern Africa (living in her Land Rover!), documenting and sharing her conservation involvements and adventures on her website, Wild Wonderful World. Today she is working on a project of her own, advocating for wildlife, connecting people to conservation initiatives and encouraging children through education and exposure, to save wildlife.
You can connect with me, Leslie Lindsay, via these websites:
- GoodReads
- Facebook: LeslieLindsayWriter
Twitter: @LeslieLindsay1- Email:leslie_lindsay@hotmail.com
- Amazon
- Instagram: @LeslieLindsay1
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#wildlife #conservation #Africa #Safari #childrensbooks
[Cover and author images courtesy of PRbytheBook and used with permission. Unless otherwise noted, all safari photos are courtesy of PRbytheBook.]
Leslie A. Lindsay| Writer & Creative 