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John Cayden Books WILTON's Friends

JOHN CAYDEN BOOKS

Early Learning Environmental Ecology Books for Children 

WELCOME!

Hello and welcome to my website!

 

My name is John Cayden and I am an author, illustrator, and environmental education specialist who crafts stories that spark curiosity and a love for nature in young readers. After a long and successful career as a museum exhibition designer and curator, I transitioned into writing children’s books, driven by my passion for educating the next generation about the diverse life on Earth.

 

Drawing from my knowledge as a licensed environmental educator, I write and illustrate books that focus on the unique ecosystems and creatures that inhabit our planet. From the prairies to the deep ocean, my stories explore the wonders of nature, with a particular emphasis on ecological 

education. My work is a celebration of life, from groundhogs and chipmunks to corals and sea creatures, all designed to foster a deeper connection to the environment in young minds.

 

My debut books, Arlo and Pecas & Paloma, have been well-received, and my latest project,

Cora’s Corals, brings readers on an undersea adventure to explore the beauty and importance of coral. With new works coming soon, I am dedicated to continuing my mission of educating

and inspiring through storytelling.

 

When I'm not writing or illustrating, I am assisting low-income families in my county with housing, using my free time to illustrate and look for opportunities to connect with readers, publishers, and agents to further my mission of promoting environmental awareness through literature.

 

Sign up for my mailing list for new book releases and special giveaways. I will NEVER sell any data. 

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Thank you for your support! Happy reading! Happy Earth!

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-   John Cayden

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Critter 5.jpg
buterfly
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Owl
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Dancing Squirrel Brown
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burrowing owl
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Octothorpe
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Bobcat copy
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Bat
Baby Fox
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armadillo
John Cayden Books Cora's Corals

cora's corals

An undersea tour of corals
with Cora the little shrimp

My newest children's book beautifully highlights over twenty types of coral found in coral reefs around the world. The book aims to educate early readers about the diversity, structure and uniqueness of coral species and their unique ecological niche, while sparking imagination and curiosity about the vast and amazing diversity of ocean life and the underwater nurseries we call reefs. Scientists who study corals are working hard to understand and protect these important life forms as the ocean waters become warmer. This book puts differing coral species together with a fictitious little pink shrimp by the name of Cora. With coloring pages! 

John Cayden Books PUFF Cover Image of Puff the groundhog in the snow on the prairie

PUFF

My First Winter on the Prairie

 

NOW AVAILABLE IN HARDBACK!

This is the story of Puff, a small groundhog who lives in the grasslands of North America. Puff recounts his first twenty days of winter by watching the other animals around him prepare for the coming of a long, cold season after experiencing the joy of a beautiful, hot summer and a cool colorful fall. Clues to their preparations are not only in what he sees them doing, but what he sees them eating and the small changes to their bodies he is witnessing as the fall of the first flakes of snow touch his nose.

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John Cayden Books Wilton Book Cover Image of Wilton the Chipmunk on a log in a lake

This children's picture book is an illustrated story about Wilton, a small chipmunk who lives on the edge of a large wet, wetland near a small city. Some big winds came with a storm and knocked over his home, which was nestled in the hollow of a tree. To his surprise and delight, the other creatures who call the wetland home and call Wilton a friend, bring him all kinds of found and collected materials they offer up to help Wilton make a new home at the edge of the cool fresh water.

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Now available in hardback and paperback. 

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Wilton
Home in a
Wet Wet Land

John Cayden Books Rocket Book Cover Image of a Rocket the kangaroo mouse on a rock in the desert

A ROCKET TALE

This favorite children's picture book is an illustrated story

about Rocket, a small Kangaroo Mouse who made his home

on a busy path in the beauty of the high desert. Other animals come and go, mostly in the evening and during the night-time when the air cools in the moonlight. Rocket learns a little about each of the animals by watching and listening to them as they move along in their evening search for water, friends and food. Now available in hardback and paperback.

 

Look for me on TIKTOK at

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JOHN CAYDEN'S TIKTOK VIDEOS

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and my fun line of apparel, T-shirts and home accessories at

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JOHN CAYDEN T-SHIRT DESIGNS 

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Thank you for your interest, your comments, your support and your help.  

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Best regards - I wish you all health and happiness and fun reading!

Matthew Forsythe Kate Messner

John Cayden Books Alro's Friends Childrens Book Banner_edited.jpg

CONTACT JOHN

Use the form below to add yourself to my mailing list to be notified of new releases or sales. Your info will never be shared with anyone.

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Go to the INSIDE MY WORLD for details

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ADDITIONAL AUTHOR PAGE

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