Armando and the Amazing Animal Race Q&A
- Paola Dell Acqua
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
by Diana Schaffter
Age: 8+ Pages: 350 Category: animals, world,
This post is sponsored by Diana Schaffter.
GIVEAWAY
Enter 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.
Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/armando-and-the-amazing-animal-race-awareness-tour/
ABOUT THE BOOK
Written by Diana Schaffter
Ages: 8-12 | 350 Pages
Publisher: Sea Otter Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0690795-1-0
Publisher’s Book Summary: Two unlikely teammates on a grueling continent-hopping race. Their mission: to photograph 7 endangered animals in just 70 days… and solve a baffling family mystery.
When twelve-year-old Armando stumbles on his mother’s old race journal and convinces his wacky grandmother to join the Amazing Animal Race—the same race his mother disappeared on eight years earlier—his summer explodes into a wild global adventure. Armed with night vision goggles, bear spray, and support from his tech-savvy friend Jinny, Armando faces a charging polar bear, poachers’ bullets, and ruthless rivals as he races across the icy Arctic to the steamy Amazon rainforest. What starts as a race to help endangered animals and the environment spirals into a treacherous quest to unravel a mystery that will change Armando’s family—and his life—forever.
Packed with thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and unforgettable characters, Armando and the Amazing Animal Race takes readers on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery across the globe. This heart-warming tale of family, mystery, and wildlife conservation will inspire adventurers, both young and old, to see the world and themselves in a whole new light.
“. . . a whirlwind of an environmentally minded tale. . .”—KIRKUS REVIEWS – “OUR VERDICT: √ GET IT!”
“. . .fantastically engaging . . . super fun as well as poignant. . .”—JENNIFER REES, editor, Explorer Academy, National Geographic
“. . . will resonate with anyone who yearns for adventure…”—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Q & A: INTERVIEW TWO:
Armando and the Amazing Animal Race
1-You thanked your mother for your passion for travelling; What does travelling with 'an open heart and mind' mean to you? How has this influenced your life?
Traveling with an open heart and mind to me means approaching new experiences without preconceptions—consciously setting aside prejudices to embrace unfamiliar foods, customs, and perspectives with genuine curiosity.
People intuitively sense whether a traveler arrives with walls up or with genuine openness. This truth inspired my creating the character of Armando, the protagonist in my eco-adventure novel, who initially approaches new countries with hesitation. Through his grandmother's wise and gentle guidance, he learns that vulnerability in new environments leads to the most profound discoveries.
I’ve lived in nine different countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Romania, India, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, North Korea, Canada, and the USA. By approaching each of these diverse countries with openness rather than comparison or judgment, I've formed deep connections with people from vastly different backgrounds. These experiences haven't just broadened my worldview—they've transformed me, gifting me with new skills, perspectives, and ideas I couldn't have discovered otherwise. My most challenging test came when my husband’s work with UNICEF took us to live for two years in North Korea.
To be honest, in the beginning I approached the people there with extreme caution, but when I opened my mind and heart and began to focus more on our shared humanity despite our nations' political tensions everything changed. This powerful experience demonstrated how seeking connections rather than differences can bridge even the most formidable divides, which is exactly what Armando discovers on his global adventure.
2-When did you become interested in writing a book about endangered animals?
My fascination with animals goes back as far as I can remember, with Jane Goodall serving as my childhood hero. I channeled this passion into studying biology at university, even considering veterinary medicine at one point. So, combining my love for wildlife and storytelling felt like the most natural path in the world.
The spark for "Armando and the Amazing Animal Race" emerged during my time teaching at international schools. I observed that many of my students knew more about imaginary creatures that don’t exist than the extraordinary animals in our real world. This disconnect deeply concerned me.
Our world desperately needs the next generation's creativity and fresh perspectives to address the environmental challenges we face. I wanted to create a novel that would captivate young readers while at the same time ignite genuine wonder about our natural world—a page-turning adventure that would not only entertain but also open their hearts.
3-As a teacher, did you have a different look on the places you have lived in or visited, in terms of what could be learned?
Living in nine countries as an international teacher gave me a richly layered perspective that I would not have gained had I been a tourist. I've always believed that the best teachers remain perpetual students themselves. Wherever I taught, I wove local cultural elements into my lessons, creating authentic connections for my students.
I noticed a common challenge in international schools—students often form tight-knit expat bubbles, socializing primarily with other international students. While comfortable, this meant many missed the chance to truly immerse themselves in the local culture surrounding them.
This experience directly shapes my children's books. I craft stories that gently guide young readers beyond their familiar worlds, inviting them to explore and appreciate our planet's breathtaking natural and cultural tapestry. My goal is to spark that same sense of wonder I felt while teaching across cultures.
4-What message do you want to send with the book in terms of conservation and the environment?
At its heart, my book draws the connection between human actions and climate change, showing readers that each of us—regardless of age—plays a meaningful role in our planet's story. Armando’s experiences in the story invites readers to examine their own environmental footprint and discover the power in even the smallest earth-friendly choices. I believe deeply that stewardship of our natural world belongs to all of us equally no matter what our age.
The novel confronts an uncomfortable truth: magnificent creatures are vanishing during our own lifetime, not in some distant future. My hope is for young readers to find a new appreciation for the beauty of our natural world and develop a passion to protect the environment.
5-Is there any reason for your choice of places in the story?
As the goal of my story is to help raise awareness of environmental issues and increase global mindedness, I chose places that would expose readers to the rich diversity of cultures and natural settings in our world.
Armando and Granny D’s search for endangered animals takes them across dramatically diverse ecosystems—from the Arctic to scorching deserts, vast savannahs, and lush rainforests. Each environment presents unique challenges and wonders that showcase our planet's extraordinary beauty.
I was also intentional about the cultures my characters encounter. The story introduces readers to the Inuit in Greenland, Bedouin communities in Israel, Maasai in Kenya, the Irula tribe in India, and Indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon. I specifically highlighted minority cultures because of their profound connection to their local environments. Religious diversity also shaped my choices, as I wanted to reflect how faith traditions influence cultural relationships with nature.
6-If you could be one of the animals in the story, which one would you be? and a place?
If I had to choose to be one animal, I would choose to be the four-toed jerboa, which is one of the seven endangered animals that Armando and Granny D travel to Egypt to photograph on the Amazing Animal Race. Young readers of the book often share that the jerboa is their favorite animal because it is “so cute!”
A jerboa is nature's perfect miniature mix of several different animals. It has legs like a kangaroo, which it uses to hop and zigzag across the sand. It has ears like a rabbit, which act like radar to identify potential desert predators. It has a face like a rat, and a tail like a lion, which it uses for balance. They also have special skin folds and hairs to protect their eyes, ears, and nose from getting sand in them. It doesn’t need to drink water. The hair on the bottom of his feet stops it from sinking into the sand. I am impressed by how well the jerboa has adapted to live in the harsh desert habitat. Jerboas do not need to drink water; instead, they obtain moisture from the desert plants they dig up.
What truly amazes me about the jerboa is its brilliant desert adaptations. Special skin folds and protective hairs shield its eyes, ears and nose from sandstorms. The fine hairs on its feet create natural "snowshoes" that prevent it from sinking into soft sand. And most remarkable of all, this tiny desert survivor never needs to drink water—it extracts all the moisture it needs from the desert plants it skillfully unearths.
I admire how this pocket-sized creature has evolved such ingenious solutions for thriving in one of Earth's most unforgiving environments. There's something profoundly inspiring about such resilience packed into such a small, charming package.
7- Do you feel identified with Armando? Why the name 'Armando'?
To truly bring Armando to life, I had to journey inward. Much of myself is woven into his character. The relationship Armando navigates with his father mirrors my own childhood—my parents divorced when I was young, leaving me with limited time with my father and that persistent longing for deeper connection that Armando also feels so acutely.
One of my editors suggested something transformative—writing an actual letter to my father expressing everything I'd kept inside. This exercise wasn't just about improving Armando's character; it became a profound emotional exploration that unlocked authentic emotions I could channel into the father-son dynamics throughout the story. Readers often comment on the emotional resonance of these scenes, which I believe stems directly from that writing exercise.
Many adventures in the book draw from our family experiences raising our two sons across multiple countries. The cultural discoveries, misunderstandings, and moments of wonder that Armando encounters with Granny D are inspired by real moments we shared with our boys as they navigated new environments and traditions. Their challenges in adapting to unfamiliar cultures found their way into Armando's journey, giving his character that ring of authenticity that comes only from lived experience.
As for the name itself—Armando is named after my nephew, whose mother is originally from El Salvador. The name carries both personal meaning and reflects the cultural diversity that's so central to the book's themes.
8-What is the most important lesson you have learned from the places mentioned in the book?
Through my own travels to the places featured in the book, I have come to realize that we are indeed all connected as one human family and equally connected to the natural world. I have been touched by the kindness and generosity of people everywhere, especially those who have very little.
The theme of kindness and looking for the good in people features prominently in the story. The scene in India where the girls treasure their one broken doll wasn't fictional—it was drawn directly from a real events when I met an impoverished family and the five girls share one much treasured doll. Witnessing their genuine joy and contentment with so little completely reframed my understanding of what truly matters. That single interaction stuck with me– finding happiness in simplicity.
These lived experiences are woven through the story, not as heavy-handed lessons, but as authentic moments that transformed my own perspective and, I hope, might gently shift my readers' worldview as well.
9-The hero journey; how does Armando relate to the 'hero'?
Like all great adventure stories, Armando's tale follows Joseph Campbell's timeless "hero's journey" with its own unique heartbeat and surprises.
Armando's call to adventure arrives in a deeply personal form: discovering a letter his mother wrote to him eight years earlier. This poignant discovery doesn't just set the plot in motion—it creates an emotional hook that compels him forward. When he joins his grandmother in the Amazing Animal Race, what begins as a simple competition transforms into a profound quest of self-discovery.
True to the hero's journey, Armando's path is anything but smooth. He faces numerous challenges that test him at every turn, forcing him to dig deep and develop strengths he never knew he possessed.
The story reaches its dramatic crisis when Armando confronts what appears to be an impossible obstacle—one that threatens to crush his deepest hopes. (I'll keep that part secret—no spoilers here!)
Granny D embodies the classic "wise mentor" archetype, but with her eccentric personality and unconventional wisdom, she's far from your typical sage guide. Her unique blend of quirkiness and insight makes her guidance all the more impactful as she helps Armando navigate his transformative journey.
Like all satisfying hero tales, the story weaves through emotional peaks and valleys with unexpected twists that keep readers guessing.
10-A message to teachers, students and/or parents in connection with the book?
The book is a heart-warming, page-turning adventure that deals with climate change, environmental justice, and endangered animals while blending in suspense, mystery, and humor. It is excellent for reluctant readers and is enjoyed equally by boys and girls.
Parents should be prepared to hear at bedtime, “Please… please… just one more chapter”!!
Parents and grandparents have equally enjoyed the story and have shared that the book is a wonderful opportunity for meaningful intergenerational discussion with their children and grandchildren. Issues related to interpersonal relationships and personal development are woven into the story and can be explored in more in-depth using the discussion questions at the back of the book. A longer list will be available on my website.
Many teachers have provided feedback on the book during the writing process. One teacher who will be using the book in her grade 6 classroom wrote: “This book is a must-read for every middle-grade teacher and will be enjoyed equally by boys and girls … The connections between adventure, country, culture, animals, and eco-preservation are intricately woven into a thrilling adventure and reflect my entire grade 6 and 7 curriculum.”
Thank you Diana!! Happy reading book lovers!!
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