Axol & Friends: The Adventure Begins by Jonathan Grosso Hardcover

“The Adventure Begins” is the first in the Axol & Friends book series, which tells the story of Axol the Axolotl as they set out on their journey across the world. The adventure begins with a curious little axolotl that lived a rather lonely life until something special happened one day. Everything changed for Axol when they met Java the Pangolin. In an act of courage, Axol agrees to help Java return home, a trip that requires two tiny animals to get from Mexico to Thailand.

Along the way they discover the power of friendship, bravery, compassion and empathy. All the characters in this book are based on real endangered plant and animal species. Axolotls are a rare species of salamanders that have become an icon for Mexican heritage, found only in the central region of Mexico. They also hold a very special place in the world of science research and innovation. Axolotls have an unparalleled biological talent - the ability to regenerate body parts including entire limbs and organs. By studying axolotls, scientists have made significant advances in the fight against cancer, aging related diseases, and many other issues in medicine and health. Pangolins are bizarre yet adorable ant eaters that span select regions of Asia and Africa. While they are spread out, very few still remain. Sadly, pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal, due to a long history of poaching. Pangolins are coveted for their scales, which have been falsely claimed to have health benefits for humans. It has been proven that there are no medicinal use of pangolin scales, yet that hasn’t stopped the illegal trade. Together with out nonprofit partners we are working to save the pangolin and axolotl.

This book makes a delightful gift for any young kids that are passionate about endangered species as well as families looking to teach their children about unique rare animals. These books also emphasize values of human rights, social justice, and youth empowerment. Axol the axolotl uses the gender neutral pronoun “They/Them”.