Diana Schaffter is the author of the new middle grade novel Armando and the Amazing Animal Race. Also an educator, she lives in Sidney, British Columbia.
Q: What inspired you to write Armando and the Amazing Animal Race, and how did you create your character Armando?
A: My inspiration for writing Armando and the Amazing Animal Race emerged during my years as an international school teacher. I observed that many of my students had limited awareness of countries and cultures beyond their own, while simultaneously becoming increasingly immersed in digital worlds and disconnected from nature.
Having raised two sons across multiple diverse countries, I witnessed firsthand how children naturally learn about and appreciate different cultures when given meaningful opportunities to engage with them.
This observation became central to creating Armando, a North American protagonist who serves as a familiar and trusted travel guide for young readers.
Through Armando's eyes, children experience challenges, new cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and amazing animals while recognizing aspects of themselves in his journey.
Through Armando's transformation, children develop global mindedness and form emotional connections with both nature and human diversity.
During his continent-hopping adventure, Armando makes mistakes, learns valuable lessons, and reflects on the various issues he encounters. These moments create natural teaching opportunities that invite readers to learn alongside him.
It is my hope that this story also demonstrates how real-world exploration can offer adventures more exciting and profound than any video game.
Q: Did you need to do any research to write the book, and if so, did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: Much of the story draws from my firsthand experiences living in eight countries over 42 years.
For specific research, my husband and I traveled to the same countries and looked for the same endangered animals as Armando and Granny D.
We tracked wild cobras with the Irula tribe in Southern India, observed Siberian tigers with conservationists in Vladivostok, searched for desert leopards in Israel's Judean desert, and photographed rare pied tamarin monkeys in the Amazon while visiting Indigenous tribes.
Thirty-five global experts and conservationists reviewed the manuscript to ensure cultural sensitivity and accuracy, while 26 young readers from 10 cultural backgrounds provided valuable suggestions and insights on the manuscript based on a younger person’s perspectives.
The most surprising discovery during the writing process was my own need to apply Armando's core lessons—"Look for the good" and "We are one"—under extraordinary circumstances.
For two years, I was the only unsupervised American living in North Korea while my Canadian husband worked for UNICEF.
After initially approaching interactions with people with extreme caution, I found that by looking for the good in people and focusing on our shared humanity, I gradually built heart-to-heart connections in ways I could never have imagined, despite our nations' political tensions and Americans being perceived as the enemy.
This powerful experience demonstrated how seeking connections rather than differences can bridge even the most formidable divides—exactly what Armando discovers on his global adventure.
Q: The writer Paul Hanley said of the book, “Diana Schaffter has crafted a page-turning eco-adventure that draws the reader into exploring issues related to endangered animals, environmental justice, and climate change in an exciting and natural way that also touches the heart.” What do you think of that description?
A: Paul Hanley's insightful review captures exactly what I aimed to achieve with this book. His description highlights my central goal: creating a story that imparts knowledge about environmental issues while genuinely touching children's hearts.
Jennifer Rees, former editor for National Geographic Explorer Academy series, similarly noted that what distinguishes the book was it being "super fun as well as poignant" with environmental themes that are "wonderfully handled."
I believe lasting change happens when educational goals are paired with emotional connection. While facts matter, it's personal connection that motivates action.
As readers follow Armando's adventures and form attachments to endangered animals, they develop empathy alongside awareness. This heart-mind connection is what I hope will inspire children to become more interested in doing their part to help our planet.
The story also weaves in family relationship dynamics that resonate deeply with readers and “touches the heart.” Armando's special bond with his grandmother, his discoveries about his mother, and his rebuilding connection with his father touch readers, young and old, in profound and sometimes unexpected ways. As one reader shared, “I had tears in my eyes while reading the climactic episode.”
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: I hope children will take away an appreciation for the beauty of nature and the rich cultural diversity in our world, recognizing how intricately interconnected they are. The book's transformative messages of "Look for the Good" and "We are One" guide children toward seeing interconnections rather than divisions.
Throughout his journey, Armando faces unfamiliar cultures and daunting challenges that teach him to approach differences with curiosity rather than fear. When encountering misunderstandings, he investigates rather than judges.
My hope is that young readers will develop the same open-mindedness and willingness to explore new perspectives as Armando did on his journey. These lessons feel particularly vital in today's environment, where differences are often emphasized over connections.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I'm currently developing supplemental fun and educational materials to accompany Armando and the Amazing Animal Race, designed to help young readers further explore the book's themes and settings through interactive activities and discussion guides.
Additionally, I have 10 picture books in various stages of completion. One story I'm particularly excited about is Zamira and the Snow Leopard, a story set in Kyrgyzstan. This book continues my commitment to introducing young readers to diverse cultures and environments while highlighting our connection to the natural world.
Like Armando's adventure, this new story will invite children to experience a part of the world they might never otherwise encounter, fostering cultural understanding and environmental awareness through an engaging narrative.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I love connecting with young people! I encourage readers to feel free to share their feedback, questions and comments with me!
Armando and the Amazing Animal Race is now available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
If you are curious about the real-world adventures behind the story, please visit my website (www.dianaschaffter.com) to explore documentation of my encounters with the remarkable animals featured in Armando's journey.
Also don't miss my special two-day giveaway of the color-illustrated ePub version! Sign up for my newsletter on my website to be notified when this opportunity goes live and to receive updates on upcoming supplementary materials.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Diana Schaffter. Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Armando and the Amazing Animal Race signed by Diana Schaffter! One lucky grand prize winner will also receive an exclusive adventure-themed bundle that includes a themed T-shirt, a set of vibrant stickers featuring all seven endangered animals from the story, three beautifully illustrated maps, and, to top it all off, a $50 Amazon gift certificate.
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