New Titles Highlight Imagination, Discovery, and Life Beneath the Surface

A new group of literary works brings together stories that explore imagination, environmental awareness, and human resilience across both children’s literature and fiction. From desert wildlife encounters and family-centered learning experiences, to a science-driven tale of rebellion and an underwater world of survival, these titles present varied yet connected perspectives on discovery, belonging, and adaptation.

Gabriell DeBear Paye introduces “Monkeydog!: A Tale of Love and Rebellion, Book 1,” a young-adult science fiction novel centered on a genetically engineered being navigating identity and freedom.

The story follows Rover, a “Monkeydog” separated too early from the father from whom he was cloned and later placed with the Wolfe family as both pet and servant. As tensions rise within the household driven by conflicting views, Rover forms a covert alliance with the family’s daughter, Eve. Together, they become involved in a growing resistance movement seeking liberation for Monkeydogs. The novel explores themes of family dysfunction, technological consequences, and the balance between freedom and servitude.

Paye, a longtime educator in Biology, Chemistry, Horticulture, and Environmental Science, draws from a background shaped by science, environmental awareness, and social justice. Her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia and her work in Boston Public Schools inform a narrative that blends scientific imagination with ethical inquiry. “Monkeydog!” marks her first novel following an extensive career in teaching and screenwriting.

Judy Kessler contributes three titles from her children’s desert-themed series, each centered on young protagonists learning through direct encounters with wildlife in Arizona.

In “Audrey and the Chattering Quail,” a compassionate young girl discovers a Gambel quail caught on her grandparents’ property and, with her grandfather’s help, frees the bird while learning about its behavior and environment. The story emphasizes observation, empathy, and curiosity about the natural world.

In “Hayden and the Rock Wall Lizard,” a young boy’s credibility is questioned when he describes seeing an unusually large orange-and-black lizard, only for his account to be validated after repeated sightings. The narrative explores themes of belief, patience, and discovery.

Meanwhile, “Ashton and the Noisy Cactus Bird” follows a child learning about a loud and assertive bird living within a saguaro cactus, prompting questions about how such birds inhabit and shape their environment.

Across all three books, Kessler draws from her own experiences and surroundings in Tucson, Arizona, where she now resides after a 35-year career as a communications engineer with MITRE Corporation. Her series uses her grandchildren as inspiration, creating educational stories grounded in real desert ecosystems and everyday exploration.

Shifting into speculative fiction, Janys Mikel Dugas presents “Dolphin Dome Chronicles: Dolphin Deep Book 1,” a story that explores survival and adaptation in an underwater society.

The novel follows Jayla, a college freshman who survives a shipwreck and awakens in an undersea domed world where she is told she must remain indefinitely. Initially skeptical of her surroundings, she begins to learn about a community composed of survivors and descendants of past maritime and aviation disasters. As she navigates this unfamiliar environment, Jayla confronts shifting alliances. Over time, she forms connections within the dome, while seeking a way to reconcile her past life with her new reality.

Dugas, a retired English teacher and lifelong Louisiana resident, draws inspiration from her experiences, including volunteer work at the Aquarium in New Orleans, where her interest in marine life deepened. Her work reflects a fascination with the oceans as both setting and possibility for future human existence.

Altogether, these titles present a wide-ranging exploration of learning, survival, and the relationship between individuals and their environments, whether grounded in real-world ecosystems or imagined futures. Each work contributes a distinct perspective, from educational storytelling for young readers to speculative narratives that examine how humans adapt to unfamiliar worlds.

These books are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading online book retailers worldwide, and are currently featured on The Maple Staple’s Spotlight Shelf, highlighting a curated selection of engaging and thought-provoking titles.

About The Maple Staple:
For bookworms, by passionate writers.

At The Maple Staple, books come alive beyond mere pages. It’s more than a bookstore—it’s a community hub for book enthusiasts and budding authors. Celebrating diversity, they curate books from up-and-coming independent writers, and offer a platform to underrepresented voices. With captivating events and book clubs in the heart of Toronto, they foster a vibrant literary community, igniting inspiration and transformation through the enchanting power of words.

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