Launching a new book in a middle of a global pandemic was certainly a challenge. Like many fellow authors, I had to cancel in-person school visits, book signings, and presentations for Sea Otters: A Survival Story released in April 2020 by Orca Book Publishers.
I love interacting with audiences, particularly children. I am always so energized and inspired by their endless curiosity and thoughtful questions. But in the Spring, I quickly had to reinvent myself and find new ways to connect with others in our now COVID-dominated world. I transitioned to online events, virtual book signings, and Instagram Live events with partner organisations such as Sea Otter Savvy.
While I still very much miss the joy of being in a physical location, meeting people in person, I have discovered that going online does not necessarily mean that our world is getting smaller… In fact this has been the opposite. Online events have made it possible for people from different parts of the world to join the conversation, and I have had new opportunities to connect with others who share my passion for the natural world and wildlife. These connections are inspiring and give me hope and strength for continuing the work I do, even in COVID times. I want to share a story of one recent Instagram connection that opened a window into a new world, one of sculpture and puppetry!
Puppeteer Chase Woolner and I connected through Instagram shortly after the release of Sea Otters: A Survival Story. Chase joined several of my virtual sea otters talks that I had advertised on my Instagram account @isabellegroc. It turned out that Chase is a true sea otter fan!
Chase was first introduced to sea otters by his kindergarten teacher who first pointed them out at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago during a field trip and then later gave him a book about them. The following year for Halloween, Chase was a sea otter in a costume he made with his grandma. Later he traveled to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with his family. “I was captivated by the raw, industrial charm of the area, the conservation, and the great drama of the sea otter saga,” he wrote.Chase’s passion for puppetry started at a young age (like his passion for sea otters!). He started performing for his classmates in elementary school and since then he has worked and trained with many of the top puppeteers and puppet designers working in film, television and theatre. Chase has earned a Bachelors of Fine Art degree in Theatre/Puppetry from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and his puppetry work has been seen in fringe festivals worldwide.
I am delighted that through our shared passion for sea otters, I was able to connect with such a talented artist! The sea otter sculpture in the photos was created by Chase in Chavant Medium oil based clay with a wire and tin foil armature. It is a character maquette for a children’s book Chase has been working on, and it was sculpted as part of an intensive class with master sculptor Don Lanning whose work has been featured in many Hollywood films, including Star Trek!
Here is what Chase wrote about my book:
“Isabelle Groc’s book Sea Otters: A Survival Story brought me closer to my spirit animal. Isabelle’s photography, personal story and the way that both the scientific and historical information is presented sparked my imagination more than ever before. My collection of books on sea otters is fairly robust, and what Isabelle’s book does differently is convey the romanticism and warmth of the frigid and brutal Pacific Ocean coastline along North America.”
Thank you Chase!
My book Sea Otters: A Survival Story is available in print or ebook from your favourite local bookstore or online bookseller.
Follow me on Instagram @isabellegroc for more wildlife stories.