The Legend of El Patron:  A True Story will have its book signing debut at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park in Carlsbad (Living Desert State Park NM).  Come join us on Sunday, September 15, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Here’s the press release:

CARLSBAD, NM, September 15, 1:00PM.

Carlsbad’s Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will host the debut of children’s book The Legend of El Patron:  A True Story.  The book highlights the escapades of El Patron, the “smarter than the average” bear who made Carlsbad headlines when he escaped his new zoo home.

Award-winning author Virginia Parker Staat will introduce the story, read a sample from The Legend of El Patron, and sign copies of the book.  The event is open to the public.  Books will be available for sale at the event.

El Patron was starving when wildlife researcher Bonnie McKinney captured and collared the bear near Big Bend National Park. He soon followed his nose to a poorly kept hunting cabin.  He was marked as a nuisance bear after he wrecked the place. McKinney saved El Patron’s life when she found him a home at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

The first night in his new zoo home, El Patron escaped, wandering the streets of Carlsbad with law enforcement in pursuit.  When his story became headline news, the citizens of Carlsbad rallied to save the outlaw bear.

Certain to captivate, El Patron’s story also provides readers the opportunity to learn more about black bears and wildlife research with its educational sidebars.

Reviewer Mary Taylor Young, biologist and author of seventeen books, said, “This seasoned wildlife writer and biologist got a lump in her throat reading this story of El Patron, the Texas outlaw bear!  Reportorial style with a touch of pathos carries the story effectively.”

Virginia Parker Staat is an accomplished writer of essays, short stories, and children’s books.  She is currently vice president of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers.  She also teaches the craft of writing to both children and adults.  The Legend of El Patron:  A True Story is published through Booklocker.com, Inc.