Families are invited to join author Gisa for a special afternoon celebrating state and national parks, endangered wildlife, and the release of her newest children's book, Tortoises on the Trail: The Iconic Turtles of Joshua Tree.

During this free program, Gisa will introduce children to the wonders of America's public lands and explain why parks play such an important role in protecting wildlife and natural habitats. Participants will also learn about the National Park Service's Junior Ranger Program and discover how a children's book is created, from the first idea to the finished product, with the help of an illustrator, book designer, printer, and many others behind the scenes.

Gisa will share Tortoises on the Trail: The Iconic Turtles of Joshua Tree, co-written with David Nico and illustrated by Andy Atkins. The story follows Adele on an adventure through Joshua Tree National Park, where she discovers the remarkable desert tortoise and learns about the challenges it faces in the wild.

This program is perfect for families, young readers, aspiring authors, and anyone who loves nature, wildlife, and our national parks.

Event Details

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
2:00 p.m.

Washington Irving Branch Library
4117 W. Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA

This program is presented with support from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles through the generous support of the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.

Gisa looks forward to meeting families, sharing her newest book, and inspiring the next generation of park stewards.