Laporte author and illustrator, Nancy Derey Riley, will publish her new children’s picture book in spring 2025 with award-winning independent publisher Shadelandhouse Modern Press, of Lexington, Ky. Titled “Who Ate My Cactus?,” the picture book invites children to join Rabbit on his search for a prickly pear cactus thief—and for his breakfast. “Who Ate My Cactus?” is scheduled for release on May 13, 2025.
“The inspiration for ‘Who Ate My Cactus?’ came from observing rabbits during cactus field studies and on my land in Colorado,” Riley says. “Rabbits will eat cacti, especially when water and green plants are scarce. Sometimes it seems the rabbits prefer the juicy insides of cacti. So I wondered what would happen if a rabbit decided to wait to eat his cactus only to find that another animal beat him to it. In 2022, this story was nominated for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Golden Pen award. I appreciate the opportunity Virginia Underwood and her publishing house have given me to share ‘Who Ate My Cactus?’ with a wider audience.”
“Who Ate My Cactus?” is perfect for young readers, parents and teachers to share. Fans of Jon Klassen’s “I Want My Hat Back” and Ariel Bernstein’s “Where Is My Balloon?” should particularly enjoy this desert tale. This humorous whodunnit explores the ideas of sharing and how your own actions affect others. The book is charmingly illustrated and includes fun facts about “The Meal,” “The Detective” and “The Suspects.” From a STEM perspective, “Who Ate My Cactus?” will spark discussions of ecosystems, food webs, wildlife habitat needs and carrying capacity.
“Working with Nancy Derey Riley on her new children’s picture book has been an honor and pleasure personally and for our press,” says Virginia H. Underwood, publisher at Shadelandhouse Modern Press. “We are excited to publish ‘Who Ate My Cactus?,’ and we are looking forward to the book’s release in May 2025.”
“Who Ate My Cactus?” is now available for preorder from Shadelandhouse Modern Press at smpbooks.com/product/who-ate-my-cactus. The author is planning school visits, readings, library visits and book signings.
Book Information
- Children’s Fiction, Picture, Preschool–4
- ISBN: 978-1-945049-55-2 (hardcover) $18.95
- ISBN 978-1-945049-56-9 (paperback) $15.95
- Scheduled publication date: May 13, 2025
- Publisher: Shadelandhouse Modern Press, Lexington, Ky.