Words Jo Barnes
Photo Sarah Hartley Photography
As we step into a brand-new year, many of us will resolve to make our little corner of the world a better place, maybe recycle more or use products that are environmentally safe. One local author took her environmental concerns and resolved to apply them right around the world.
After living, working and raising a family in seven countries for over 40 years, Diana Schaffter of Sidney had a hunger to make a difference beyond her own community. She understood the importance of engaging with the world around her and getting to know others, regardless of culture or ethnic background. So, she decided to tap into her life experience and passion for global environmental issues to write her 2025 children’s book Armando and the Amazing Animal Race. This story focuses on the value of connecting with our world and its animals, as well as making connections with each other.
“My husband was a UNICEF representative so we travelled to many countries,” she shares. “Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that we are losing animals at an alarming rate. Whatever affects these animals affects us. We are stewards of our world.”
Diana’s book, her first foray into story writing, is about 12-year-old Armando and his eccentric Granny D who embark on a race around the world to save seven endangered animals. “The book features the polar bear, Siberian tiger, desert leopard, spectacled cobra, four-toed jerboa, Grévy’s zebra, and the pied tamarin monkey,” relates Diana.
As the characters race to find these creatures, they have adventures, encounter danger and discover family secrets. Vibrant illustrations are liberally featured throughout the story to present the reader with maps, tickets, journal pages and letters which help create an immersive reading experience of adventure.
At the heart of this book is the relationship between a young boy and his grandmother, Granny D. This character was inspired by Diana’s own mother who thoroughly enjoying sharing her knowledge and passion for nature with her grandchildren, one of whom was named Armando. “My mother worked for BOAC and travelled the world. She was a world citizen; she raised me as a world citizen,” says Diana. “She wanted her grandchildren to know about animals.”
The idea for the book and the journey to its publication took many years, including travel to the destinations in the book, composition, collaboration with illustrators, and a detailed feedback process from a diverse test audience. “I travelled with my husband to each of the locations of the endangered animals in the book. I talked with conservationists, technical and content experts as well as people in their communities and interviewed over 20 young readers who reviewed the book and gave their feedback. I love to be creative, but I had to learn to write. I joined a critique group and went to writing conferences,” she says. “So, when you look at all of that, the book took 19 years to do.”
The impetus for the project is Diana’s first-hand experiences in seeing the disappearance of particular animals in the world, her deep desire to share this reality, and her own life experiences. The underlying hope was to impact the next generation.
“On my first trip to Israel 10 years ago, there were 15 desert leopards. The second time I visited, they were gone, extinct. It was such a reality check!” she comments. “While teaching, I noticed kids were so disconnected from nature and were lost in the game world on their screens. They knew more about Pokémon than polar bears. I was hoping that the book’s message could captivate young people enough that they would do something to help the planet. If the book could do this, I would feel great delight.”
Diana’s book, now available through Tanner’s, Munro’s, Indigo Books and Amazon, has met with positive response from both young and older generations. The project draws upon her years as a teacher in international schools, working with refugees and living in challenging settings. These experiences shaped her global perspective and enriched her life in ways she couldn’t have imagined as a young girl. “I’ve lived in a variety of settings and learned that everyone you meet, no matter what they look like, whatever their cultural or economic bracket, you try to get to know them,” she shares. “Everyone has a story. We need to reach out and not be afraid to connect. When we stick to what is known, we don’t open ourselves to be astounded at what is out there.”
As Diana can attest, meeting new people, sharing life experiences and moving beyond your comfort zone are all opportunities to grow as a person. They are all worthwhile resolutions that ultimately can be life changing.
www.dianaschaffter.com
