About a family of groundhogs...

One of my current projects is a story for young readers about a family of groundhogs. They live near a large vegetable garden from which they help themselves to delicious meals. Unfortunately, although the previous dangers of dogs and hunters are no longer present, they become entangles in a relocation program. One after another the family members disappear. Access to the garden is complicated by a series of obstacles that need to be overcome.

The true habits of groundhogs are incorporated into this story, their benefit to the environment, as well as their devastation of vegetable crops. As I work, I am amazed at all that I have learned about these animals. As the daughter of an avid gardener, I have always thought of groundhogs as something of a pest - like rabbits. Through my research, however, I am discovering the breadth of good work that groundhogs do through their excavations.

I am hoping to find just the right artist to illustrate this story - in fact I have someone in mind, if I can inspire him with a captivating manuscript to participate in this project.