Let’s Go on Safari by Kate Gilman Williams & Michelle Campbell
What happens when Kate, an 8-year-old girl, meets Michelle, a professional guide, while on safari in South Africa? They turn cross-continental emails into a book, packed with amazing photos and conservation facts, encouraging a young generation to advocate for animals!
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Let’s Go On Safari! chronicles the real-life experience of the two authors, and invites the reader to experience the thrill of a safari. The mission of Let’s Go On Safari!: to turn the natural love that children have for animals into advocacy!
Authors Kate Gilman Williams and Michelle Campbell are donating all royalties to organizations across the globe who work to protect animals, 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
*Kate Gilman Williams and her family will match the moneys raised with a personal donation to The Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.
So when a kid buys a book – they are making a direct contribution to help save endangered animals.
Let’s Go On Safari! proves that advocacy has no age limit, and that kids can save animals on the brink of extinction.
About the Author’s
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.
Q&A with Let’s Go On Safari! author Kate Gilman Williams:
Where did you grow up /live now?
Austin, Texas
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Broadway actor
What is your education/career background?
I am in third grade at Trinity Episcopal School.
Do you have any pets?
I have three dogs and one bunny.
Where/When do you best like to write?
I like writing on my couch in the evening.
When you are struggling to write/have writer’s block, what are some ways that help you find your creative muse again?
Reading back over my writing.
What do you think makes a good story?
Interesting characters and lots of dialogue.
Is there a message/theme in your book that you want readers to grasp?
That saving African animals and not poaching is important – and I want to tell kids they can make a difference, too.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book? How long it took to find a publisher
What was your greatest challenge in writing this book?
Figuring out how to start it – and how to end it!
On the weekend, what are you most likely to be doing?
At the gym playing volleyball, reading, and having a playdate
Who are some of your favorite authors?
J.K Rowling and Stuart Gibbs
Do you have a bucket list? What are some of the things on it?
Traveling to Paris, and publishing some of the other stories I’ve written
What person(s) has/have helped you the most in your career?
Michelle, who I wrote this book with, and my mom.
What’s the best writing advice you have ever received?
Don’t give up!
What was your favorite book as a child?
The Harry Potter books
What is the one book no writer should be without?
Let’s Go On Safari!
How does your family feel about your writing career?
They are VERY proud of me.
If your book was turned into a movie, who would you like to play you?
Emma Watson – she played Hermione in the Harry Potter movies.
Q&A with Let’s Go On Safari! author Michelle Campbell:
Where did you grow up /live now?
Born in Osuth, Africa, grew up in S.E. Asia & UK. Now live in South Africa.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
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!
What is your education/career background?
Degree in International Economics, and professional field guide qualifications, including walking & rifle qualifications.
Do you have kids and/or pets?
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.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Or what first inspired you to write? It wasn’t until I started working in the bush that I started writing. I suddenly had so many amazing stories to share, especially when I learned something new about the complexity of nature, which never fails to blow me away.
Where/When do you best like to write?
In the bush! Sitting outside, with the birds chirping and wildlife grazing peacefully – it is a true escape and never fails to inspire.
Do you have any interesting writing habits or superstitions?
Not really, I do like to be alone and preferably be outside though!
When you are struggling to write/have writer’s block, what are some ways that help you find your creative muse again?
Running! It always clears my mind and lets me get lost in thought.
What do you think makes a good story?
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!
What inspired your story?
I wanted to do something to save wildlife. I used to feel helpless – what could I do as one person to fix this gigantum problem of poaching, when even the biggest NGO’s in the world can’t stop it? But then I realized that if EVERYONE did a little something, a lot could be achieved. So our book aims to inspire children to advocate for wildlife and take a stand against poaching.
Is there a message/theme in your book that you want readers to grasp?
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.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book? 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.
What was your greatest challenge in writing this book?
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!!
On the weekend, what are you most likely to be doing?
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.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Wilbur Smith, Tim Butcher, Peter Godwin, Alexander McCall Smith
Do you have a bucket list? What are some of the things on it?
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.
Have you won any awards or honors (not just for writing)?
ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS
Loughborough University Head of Department Prize (2009) – For academic achievement.
Peter Symonds Economics Department Prize (2006) – Outstanding achievement in Economics.
Robert Branagan Memorial Prize (2004) – For an exceptional career at the Westgate School.
SPORTING DISTINCTIONS
UAE Rugby 7’s Hurricanes II Captain 2011/12
Loughborough University Sports Colours 2009
Women’s University Rowing captain 2006/6 and 2007/8
Sports Leader Award BST
RFU Tag Rugby Community Coaching
What person(s) has/have helped you the most in your career?
My father – his encouragement to follow my dreams and endless enthusiasm for my “bush lifestyle” has been a huge support.
What’s the best writing advice you have ever received?
Write from your heart.
What was your favorite book as a child?
Born Free by Joy Adamson
What is the one book no writer should be without?
A notebook!
If your book was turned into a movie, who would you like to play you?
No idea!!! My co-writer Kate can answer that one for me!!
My Review
5 stars
Kate Gilman had the pleasure of going on safari in Southern Africa when she was 8 years. While on safari she made a new friend, Michelle Campbell the wildlife guide. This experience inspired Kate to write a book with Michelle about the safari and encourage others to protect the wildlife. This book is a wonderful collection of photographs that were taken and is filled with so much information that Kate learned along the way.
I would love to go on safari at some point in my life. The pictures in the book made me feel like I was right there with Kate. I really like how this experience encouraged Kate to write this book. What a great message about saving the animals and a perfect way to introduce other kids to do the same thing.
This is a wonderful book for any age with a wonderful story, amazing pictures, and a great message for everyone to care for animals. This book would be a great addition to any kids bookshelves, schools, daycare, library, and anywhere else you can think of for a book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
I would like to thank PR by the Book for the opportunity to read and share this book.
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