What's in a Name

Naming the characters was one of my favorite parts about writing the book

Bernice (bluemorpho larva/ butterfly)

Means-Bringer of Victory

I wanted a strong name... this was before I realized that Bernice would someday do amazing things with her life by fulfilling her promise to her friends that she would help save them and their homes in the rainforest(many of her friends are critically endangered... this really saddened me)

Chico (spix macaw-listed on 9/9/2018 as extinct in the wild... hence Chico- Bernice's side kick was born to honor this incredible animal)

Named after Chico Mendes who was gunned down in 1988 for his efforts in saving the Brazilian rainforest.

Flanders (red eyed tree frog)

One of my favorite pharmacy customers

Elwood (sloth)

One of my favorite pharmacy drive thru dogs😂😂😂

Waldo (orangutan)

Ralph Waldo Trine- author

Niels

Niels Bohr...Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real.

Iz(sea horse)

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole - His rendition of Some Where Over the Rainbow inspired me to add the illustration of Bernice over the rainbow and happy once again which in turn inspired me to write the poem for this page...

Before the existence 

of all stars in the sky

From above it was written,

you were born to fly

Believe in yourself

and you will see 

a bona fide magic 

that's guaranteed

For when you believe

you'll have all that you need

A beautiful butterfly, you then will be

This was the very last thing I wrote for the book and after I wrote it, I knew the book was then complete. 

Harriet-"Pink" (pink dolphin)

Harriet Tubman- this one's obvious

and for Pink...I was drawn to the song A Million Dreams while writing the book

Benny(okapi)

my Dad...my Hero

Wendal (golden lion tamaran)

Wendal Philips... incredible abolitionist and also fought for women's rights

Henley(sea turtle) wrote my favorite poem Invictus which then became my favorite word

Malala (kinkachou)

Malala Yousafzai- Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate...amazing and incredible!

Jane & baby Oscar(tree kangaroo)

Jane Addams -Fought for women's rights 

Oscar- I've always liked this name

Nelson (axelotl)

Nelson Mandela... no explanation needed

Nikola  (red panda)

Nikola Tesla..."if you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration"

Lei Lei (giant panda)

I just like the name

Ellen Dee (gorilla)

After Ellen DeGeneres for her efforts in saving these incredible animals thru her foundation The Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund - I love animals, and I want to protect them, especially when they're endangered. We need these incredible creatures and they need our love and compassion to help save them-Ellen DeGeneres

Hope(koala)

Hope was added to honor all the Koalas and all the incredible animals that lost their lives in the Australian fires 

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