WILTON
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.
Now available in hardback!
Home in a Wet Wet Land
Animals Featured in Wilton Home in a Wet Wet Land
Bear | Ursus americanus
Beaver | Castor canadensis
Black Bear | Ursus americanus (same species)
Butterfly | Danaus plexippus
Cooper’s Hawk | Accipiter cooperii
Cottontail Rabbit | Sylvilagus floridanus
Fisher | Pekania pennanti
Slider (Turtle) | Trachemys scripta elegans
Heron | Ardea herodias
Merganser | Mergus merganser
Muskrat | Ondatra zibethicus
Raccoon | Procyon lotor
Red-legged Frog | Rana draytonii
Garden Snake | Thamnophis elegans
Vulture | Cathartes aura
Water Shrew | Sorex palustris
Western Toad | Anaxyrus boreas
Wood Duck | Aix sponsa
I wrote Wilton Home In a Wet Wet Land because I wanted to explore the idea of finding hope, strength, and belonging in a difficult environment. The story was inspired by my interest in how people and communities adapt to places that are constantly changing because of water, weather, or flooding. I also wanted to show how a home is not just a building, but a place created through courage, family, and perseverance.
While writing this piece, I imagined what it would feel like to live in a land where water shapes everyday life. I wanted readers to think about nature, survival, and the emotional connection people have to the places they call home. And understanding the interconnectedness of creatures to their environment and habitat and to each other was paramount, as with all my books. The title reflects both the physical setting and the challenges the characters face.
Another reason I wrote this work was to encourage imagination and empathy. Through the story, I hoped readers could connect with the characters’ struggles and dreams while also appreciating the beauty and danger of the natural world.
Writing Wilton Home In a Wet Wet Land gave me the opportunity to combine creativity with important themes such as resilience, adaptation, and community. I hope the story inspires readers to think about how people can continue to build meaningful lives even in uncertain conditions.
Sincerely,
John Cayden
SAMPLE PAGE SPREADS FROM WILTON
Below is a link for an experimental flip book so you can see what the book would look like. It’s only partial. Set your viewer to a two page view so it looks like an open book. Let me know if it doesn’t work for you and what platform you're on. Thank you.
Great Wetland Resources!
Check out these great resources if you get a chance - some really terrific information!
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands worldwide. Their website provides comprehensive scientific information, guidelines, and resources on wetland ecosystems, including conservation strategies and global wetland policies.
Wetlands International is a global NGO dedicated to wetland conservation. Their site features research, policy reports, and initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring wetlands across the world. They also focus on wetland-based climate change adaptation and sustainable development.
Th U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service did offer detailed scientific information on the importance of wetlands, including their role in biodiversity, water quality, and climate regulation. The site also highlighted U.S. efforts in wetland conservation and restoration through programs like the National Wetlands Inventory. No telling what’s it like now after the idiocy of the current administration.
