Owl Read to You was written to help young children and their families cope and relate to the fears of starting kindergarten, but it also has some hidden teaching moments. The main character, Wendell Wilkie, is the youngest worm in his family, and when it comes time for him to start kindergarten, he is nervous and overwhelmed. But with the help of his forest friends, he learns some very important lessons and makes a few new friends along the way. About the Author Amanda Zakrocki was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. She spent most of her adolescent years following around her hero and father, Wendell Wilkie Meadows. Her father was an avid fisherman and her inspiration for the main character in her book. When her father died her freshman year of college, Amanda became determined to become the first in her family to graduate college. She holds a BS in Legal Studies & Business, an MA in Political Science, and a graduate degree in Elementary Education. After careful thought and consideration, she resigned in 2021 as an elementary teacher to spend more time with her husband, Steve, and children, Luke and Emma. Owl Read to You is Amanda's first book, but by no means her last! Be on the lookout for more books as she plans to keep Wendell Wilkie and his friends around for many more life events and lessons. About the Illustrator Alexis Elizabeth Swenson is a 14-year-old artist who lives in Ponte Vedra, FL with her parents, two sisters, brother and adorable cat named Sephora. When she's not busy drawing, she enjoys reading and traveling.