The Gauntlet
by Sandra D. C. Zoto

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What happens when two unlikely friends forge a strong and lasting bond? Where they rise above their expected roles as natural enemies to become a team and an example to their peers? This children’s fable is the story of Leo, a fur seal, and Kalvin, a great white shark: natural enemies who become secret friends while swimming in an underwater maze near South Africa every day. One day, they decide they don’t need to keep their friendship a secret any longer… and they take a big chance. This fable is about being yourself and facing your challenges. It encourages the brave, the confident, the shy, and the unsure that they can do anything they set their minds to, and that nothing is too hard to do. Breaking barriers, taking chances, and believing in yourself helps to overcome those fears we all have inside.

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Sandra D. C. Zoto is a wildlife conservationist at heart who has always had an appreciation for animals and art, and a passion from a young age to bring them together. That lifelong passion has encompassed studying animal facts in her parents’ backyard, drawing, creating her own stories, and collecting National Geographic magazines. Ms. Zoto was inspired to share her passion with others when she worked as a library page, reading animal stories to young children and being rewarded with their appreciation. Ms. Zoto shares her love and knowledge of animals and art with her own children, who have contributed their own expression of thought and art to this book.

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Contributors

Author

Sandra D. C. Zoto

Illustrator

Maximus B. Zoto

Illustrator

Gabriel Q. Zoto

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