Publisher's Synopsis
"The Adventure Begins" is the first in the Axol & Friends book series, which tells the story of Axol the Axolotl as they set out on their journey across the world. The adventure begins with a curious little axolotl that lived a rather lonely life until something special happened one day. Everything changed for Axol when they met Java the Pangolin. In an act of courage, Axol agrees to help Java return home, a trip that requires two tiny animals to get from Mexico to Thailand. Along the way they discover the power of friendship, bravery, compassion and empathy. All the characters in this book are based on real endangered plant and animal species. Axolotls are a rare species of salamanders that have become an icon for Mexican heritage, found only in the central region of Mexico. They also hold a very special place in the world of science research and innovation. Axolotls have an unparalleled biological talent - the ability to regenerate body parts including entire limbs and organs. By studying axolotls, scientists have made significant advances in the fight against cancer, aging related diseases, and many other issues in medicine and health. Pangolins are bizarre yet adorable ant eaters that span select regions of Asia and Africa. While they are spread out, very few still remain. Sadly, pangolins are the world's most trafficked animal, due to a long history of poaching. Pangolins are coveted for their scales, which have been falsely claimed to have health benefits for humans. It has been proven that there are no medicinal use of pangolin scales, yet that hasn't stopped the illegal trade. Together with out nonprofit partners we are working to save the pangolin and axolotl. This book makes a delightful gift for any young kids that are passionate about endangered species as well as families looking to teach their children about unique rare animals. These books also emphasize values of human rights, social justice, and youth empowerment. Axol the axolotl uses the gender neutral pronoun "They/Them". A portion of every sale is donated to youth empowerment programs with the goal of equipping kids with the knowledge and tools to change the world! We have partnerships with local nonprofits in the regions each animal is native to, including a community organization in central Mexico and an NGO in northern Thailand. (The habitats for axolotls and pangolins respectively) The hardcover book was printed on recycled paper and we plant 10 trees for every book sold. With the input from social workers and human rights scholars, this book creates gentle opportunities for parents to discuss tough topics on a personal and global level, ranging from understanding one's own emotions and feelings, to social justice issues such as refugee displacement, and environmental crisis. Our approach invites these conversations but does not force anything - this way you can decide when and how to broach these subjects if you wish to do so. About the AuthorHi, my name is Jonathan. I would describe myself as a social worker turned lawyer with a penchant for doodling. Human rights, social justice, and environmental conservation have always been my guiding principles. Axol & Friends is a brand, but more importantly it is a movement. We make sustainable toys, storybooks, and accessories centered around characters created in the image of endangered animals. This book is my first foray into children's literature, illustrations, and self-publishing. It has been one of my proudest achievements in life (thus far). Every page is a meticulous labor of love, drawn with expressive color and detail. My hope is that this book will provide you with fond memories made amongst loved ones and a newfound awareness of the issues in our world and a hope for how we can come together to fix the problems we face. My goal is to lead the way in truly ethical retail while empowering local communities. Together we can create the activists of today and tomorrow.
