Friends in the Keys - by Holly Joy Eddleston (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In the sparkling islands of the Florida Keys, where turquoise waters meet whispering mangroves, Winnie McKee-the tiniest Key deer with the biggest heart-sets out on a new adventure with a young deer named Scout. When a group of frightened sea turtles rush to them for help, Winnie learns that a rabbit is trapped deep within the twisting roots of the Islamorada mangroves. Too big to fit into the narrow spaces, Winnie gathers her courage and sets off across the Keys to find an animal small and clever enough to help. Along the way, she and Scout meet an unforgettable cast of wildlife friends-from six-toed cats at Ernest Hemingway's house, to a gentle alligator, to a graceful pod of dolphins-all sharing their unique talents to move the mission forward.

Guided by kindness, curiosity, and teamwork, Winnie and Scout finally find Willow, a shy Key Largo woodrat who believes she's too small and unimportant to make a difference. But with encouragement from her new friends, Willow discovers her bravery and uses her special woodrat skills to rescue the trapped rabbit just in time. Through this journey, each animal learns that every creature in the Keys-no matter how big, tiny, quiet, or bold-has something important to offer.

Friends in the Keys is a heartwarming celebration of the rich wildlife of the Florida Keys and the power of friendship. Filled with adventure, inclusion, and moments of quiet courage, it shows how extraordinary things can happen when friends trust one another, work together, and embrace the strengths that make each of them wonderfully unique.