Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Fifty-Nine Parks (Animals of the National Parks An Alphabet Book)!
Meet the Author: Fifty-Nine Parks
Fifty-Nine Parks is a beloved and renowned art collective that believes public lands and the art of printmaking are worth preserving. They are known for their original poster art, which celebrates America’s national parks and features the work of prominent artists from all around the world. Fifty-Nine Parks donates proceeds of its poster sales to the National Park Service and the series is archived by the Library of Congress. This book was created in collaboration with Fifty-Nine Parks and New York Times bestselling illustrator Kim Smith.
About the Book: Animals of the National Parks
For nature lovers of any age, this book is a beautiful A-to-Z introduction to the wild and wonderful animals that live in America’s national parks. Featuring art from the beloved printmakers and poster illustrators at Fifty-Nine Parks.
America’s national parks are some of the most magical places in the world. They are home to a diverse array of creatures, both well known and more unusual. From American Bison (which are also the largest mammals in the parks) to flying squirrels (which can glide the length of a football field) to Xeme (which take two full years to grow their adult feathers), this picture book takes children on an enchanting alphabetical adventure through the natural world.
The book features fascinating facts about each animal, including information on where they can be found. A passport page to record visits and an illustrated map of all the national parks will encourage children and their families to make the most of every trip. With beautifully evocative art that’s nostalgic yet contemporary, this is a special gift for outdoor and national park lovers of all ages.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What inspired you to write this book?
JPB: We’ve done a lot of fun, meaningful work with our poster series at Fifty-Nine Parks. After completing the full series—and releasing a collection of well received books, games, and stationary—it felt like we wanted to shift our focus to education. It felt like there was an expectation to just keep churning out more of whatever was working well for us. Success or financial gains aren’t motivating factors for us. Pivoting to work that could inspire a younger audience felt like a natural next step. I’m a mentor with Big Brother Big Sister and I enjoy speaking with students whenever I’m invited to talk at schools / colleges / conferences. Encouraging folks and fostering reverence for art and nature are meaningful things to me. This book feels like a great way to direct some of those interests and values.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
JPB: I love how Kim Smith built out a whole scene around the original spot illustration of the bears. It captures a wonderful moment in time where a mom and her cubs are taking a stroll through an alpine meadow. It’s easy to transpose yourself into that scene and feel some of that same joy. I feel it captures the essence of the whole book really well. It’s also a callback to the cover of our larger art book that features our poster work of the National Parks. Shout out to Glenn Thomas who we collaborated with on that original art book cover.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you want your readers to remember from this book?
JPB: First and foremost we hope to inspire reverence for art and nature. I also hope that readers can see a bit of themselves in the scenes from the book. We’re all connected and every animal has their own super powers of sorts: Like being able hear sounds five miles away, holding your breath underwater for eight minutes, or using the Earth’s magnetic field to find food. Some of those facts still blow my mind. They encourage me think about how we as people possess some pretty amazing traits—and abilities—as well. Some as a species and some as individuals.
YABC: Do you have an unusual office supply that helps you in your writing routine?
JPB: Sort of… I have a photo of basketball legend Bill Russell (1956-1969) on my desk that a mentor gave me 11 years ago. Bill is on my Mt. Rushmore of inspiring people. Right below his photo is a small wooden bowl with some delicious smelling coffee beans in it. The photo is encouragement to keep working hard and the coffee beans can also be a little pick-me-up.
YABC: What is your favorite animal featured in the book?
JPB: That’s such a tough question in terms of the illustrations themselves. I love so many of them. The Bison feels so iconic to the parks, the bears are adorable, the otter just bring a smile to my face. In real life I love the Red Fox and Snowy Egret. I admire their ingenuity, patience, dedication, and the intentional way they move through the world. I relate to the Red Fox because they also seem to find joy in little things. I relate to the Snowy Egret because they seem to enjoy contemplative time to themselves but also enjoy being social at the end of the day.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
JPB: That’s also a tough one to answer… A friend and artist that I admire once told me that I have an uncanny ability to get ambitious things done. If I believe in something strong enough I’ll do everything within my power to make it a reality—so long as it’s not hurting anyone else or compromising my values in the process. I see myself as a facilitator who enjoys bringing different groups of people together through art, music, and community events. I don’t know if that’s a super power but it’s something that is a defining trait for me as an individual and as a creative person.
YABC: How do you cope with criticism from editors or the public?
JPB: When it comes to criticism I would put editors and the public in two separate categories. I would also say that I’m not interested in criticism but I welcome feedback. A publisher is interested in helping make the best work possible and they have immense domain knowledge. Their feedback is invaluable—you’re on the same team. Criticism doesn’t feel as helpful. Especially once a work is finished. It’s often hard or impossible to change what you’ve made. The best you can do is take the useful parts and consider them for the next project. If the work is way off base or problematic I definitely want to know. When it comes to addressing the more nuanced—subjective—components of the work that gets a bit trickier.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
JPB: We are finishing up illustrations and the manuscript for our second Children’s book. We are working with Glenn Thomas on that one and we are stoked on where we landed! I think it’ll be a great addition to what I hope will be a three book set around this theme of animals in the National Parks. We are also working on a book about basketball history for YA / Adults at The Baseline Review. We’re very excited about that work as well! (baselinereview.net)
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
JPB: First I’d like to say thank you for taking the time to share thoughtful questions with us. I appreciate it! We are also getting ready for our first cross country tour in five years. This May / June (2025) we are doing pop-up art shows in Austin, TX, Lawrence, KS, Indianapolis, IN, Rochester, NY, and Boston, MA. We’ll have our new book with us and look forward to seeing new and old friends across the US!
Title: Animals of the National Parks
Author: Fifty-Nine Parks
Illustrator: Kim Smith with Fifty-Nine Parks
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Ten Speed Press / Random House
Genre: Children’s Book
Age Range: 1-5 but fun for all lovers of art, National Parks and nature
