Hi there! I’m Deborah Rogus, and I absolutely love telling stories that mix adventure, heart, and a little bit of learning along the way. I’ve written several books for kids, like Kangaroos in Trees, Mission: Dog Rescue, Meeting an Astronaut, and Jamie Dupree Finds Her Place. Writing stories for young readers is one of my favorite things to do—because who doesn’t love a great adventure?

I live just outside Chicago with my husband, Dan, and when I’m not busy writing or working as a product marketing manager for an educational publisher, I’m probably hanging out with animals. I volunteer at a local animal shelter, spend as much time as I can visiting zoos and animal parks, and have even bathed an elephant! (Yes, it was as AMAZING—and as messy—as it sounds.)

Traveling is another one of my big loves. My family and I (yep, not just me and Dan, but also my sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, mom, and dad) have been on some epic trips recently! We’ve explored some of Europe’s most enchanting cities—London, Paris, Venice, Rome, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague—and let me tell you, each one was more magical than the last. From the historic streets of Prague to the canals of Venice, our travels have been filled with unforgettable memories, tons of laughs, and more gelato than I care to admit! These trips spark all kinds of story ideas—and, spoiler alert, one of my next books might just be inspired by my niece and our European adventures.

But don’t worry, my favorite furry friends, Cleo and Mowgli, aren’t going anywhere! Their escapades are just getting started, and I can’t wait for you to join them on even more fun, mischief, and heartwarming moments. So, stay tuned—you never know what adventures we’ll come up with next!