The Children’s Book Creators for Conservation recently embarked on a tour across South Africa. The organization, founded in 2023 by authors Hayley and John Rocco, is a collective of children’s book authors and illustrators who partake in conservation efforts around the world. In collaboration with the nonprofit Wild Tomorrow, the Roccos and several other authors handled migratory birds for research, participated in a rhino dehorning, helped with invasive plant species removals, and planted trees in the critically endangered sand forest. Here we present highlights from their trip; all photos © Chantelle Melzer @ Wild Tomorrow except where noted.


(From l.)The entire CBCC Wild 2025 team: Kayla Harren, Ann Dye, Leah Henderson, Meg Fleming, Juana Martinez-Neal, Brenda Scott Royce, Molly Idle, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, Hayley Rocco, and John Rocco with the Project Rhino Anti-Poaching Rangers and K9 Unit.


Brenda Scott Royce meets a rhino orphan at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage.


John Rocco holding a Brazilian Nightshade, an invasive plant, with Wild Tomorrow volunteer coordinator Simmy Mahlalela.


(From l.) Diane Jackson Schnoor, Meg Fleming, Hayley Rocco, John Rocco, and wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mike Toft participate in rhino horn trimming, a practice for protecting rhinos from poachers.


IDS eco-tourism and volunteer coordinator Louis Fourie (l.) and Dr. Mike Toft (r.) trimming a rhino’s horn.


(From l.) John Rocco, Leah Henderson, Juana Martinez-Neal and Diane Jackson Schnoor help paint a mural created for Thelelulwazi creche, a local preschool.


Leah Henderson holds a female collared sunbird before participating in a release, which will help to track migratory patterns and communicate findings with scientific teams internationally.


Illustrator Kayla Harren feeds an orphan rhino.


(From l.) Diane Jackson Schnoor, Meg Fleming, Hayley Rocco, and John Rocco after swimming in Shark Alley in Gansbaai, South Africa with conservation program Dyer Island Conservation Trust and senior bird rehabber Xolani Lawo (front row, far r.).


The group paid a visit to the Hambanathi E.C. Charity Community Center, where they read to the children and participated in arts and crafts activities. Here, Juana Martinez-Neal and a Zulu child make tissue paper flowers together.


(From front l.) reserve manager Kevin Jolliffe and John Rocco; (second row) Leah Henderson, Meg Fleming, Hayley Rocco; (third row) Juana Martinez-Neal, Molly Idle, Kayla Harren; (back row) Diane Jackson Schnoor, Brenda Scott Royce, and Ann Dye in the Wild Tomorrow truck, ahead of another day of adventure.