{"id":171065,"date":"2025-08-24T06:33:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T06:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/171065\/"},"modified":"2025-08-24T06:33:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T06:33:09","slug":"archaeologists-turn-local-discoveries-into-childrens-book-series-northescambia-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/171065\/","title":{"rendered":"Archaeologists Turn Local Discoveries Into Children\u2019s Book Series : NorthEscambia.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Two University of West Florida archaeologists have transformed their passion for public outreach and historical storytelling into a new children\u2019s book inspired by real archaeological discoveries made off the Florida coast. \u201cLuna the Cat,\u201d follows a feline protagonist on board a Spanish ship in the 1500s and is based on a real-life cat whose remains were uncovered at the site of the 1559 Emanuel Point shipwrecks excavated by UWF archaeologists.<\/p>\n

Michael Thomin, assistant director of education and interpretation for the Florida Public Archaeology Network, and Nicole Grinnan, assistant director of the University of West Florida\u2019s Archaeology Institute, decided to co-author the book after realizing that most archaeology books didn\u2019t speak to the K-12 students in their children\u2019s archaeology programs in the way they desired.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost titles were too focused on the archaeological process and lacked the heart of what makes a story engaging and relatable for kids,\u201d Thomin said.<\/p>\n

When Thomin and Grinnan learned of the discovery of cat bones found during excavations of the Emanuel Point I and Emanuel Point II shipwrecks \u2014 remnants of Trist\u00e1n de Luna\u2019s 1559 Spanish colonization attempt near present-day Pensacola \u2013 they knew they had a perfect new lens through which to write their own children\u2019s book.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy telling history through the eyes of an animal, we could connect with children in a way that felt emotionally compelling and accessible,\u201d Grinnan said.<\/p>\n

Although \u201cLuna the Cat\u201d is a fictional tale, its historical framework is grounded in real research from UWF\u2019s Archaeology Institute and Department of Anthropology.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the major events in the book are based on real discoveries,\u201d the authors explained. \u201cThis was only possible because of the extensive research conducted by faculty and students at the University of West Florida. The work of Dr. Roger Smith, Dr. John Worth and Dr. John Bratten, in particular, was instrumental in reconstructing the story of the 1559 settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinnan actually excavated portions of the shipwreck during her graduate work at UWF.<\/p>\n

At its core, \u201cLuna the Cat\u201d introduces young readers to one of North America\u2019s earliest colonial settlement attempts \u2013 decades before Jamestown in Virginia and years before St. Augustine on Florida\u2019s Atlantic coast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than just a story about a cat,\u201d they said. \u201cAt its heart, the book is about overcoming fear, building resilience and discovering inner strength in the face of adversity. We hope it sparks curiosity about the past and shows kids that archaeology is not just about digging \u2014 it\u2019s about discovering human and animal stories that still matter today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Released in July 2025, the book has already earned praise from educators, parents and young readers alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe response has been overwhelmingly positive,\u201d Thomin and Grinnan said. \u201cKids have really connected with Luna\u2019s emotional journey, and we were thrilled to see it ranked No. 1 for New Releases in Children\u2019s U.S. State and Local History Books on Amazon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans of \u201cLuna the Cat\u201d will be excited to know that this is just the first book in the \u201cTales from the Trowel\u201d series. Each book will be told from the perspective of a different animal whose remains were found during excavations at archaeological sites across Florida. Inspired by real archaeological discoveries, every book is grounded in authentic research but brought to life through imaginative, character-driven storytelling.<\/p>\n

While Luna\u2019s story is complete for now, the second book in the series is already in development. Co-authored by Thomin and UWF alumna Katherine Sims, the next installment will follow a donkey who helps build the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine during the 1600s. That title is expected to be released later this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuna the Cat\u201d is currently available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and Kindle formats. Plans are underway to distribute the book through museum stores, libraries and independent bookstores. The authors are also scheduling signings at local libraries, museums and bookstores, and they plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Pensacola Humane Society \u2014 a cause close to their hearts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may have written the book, but it stands on the shoulders of years of dedicated research and discovery right here at UWF,\u201d Thomin and Grinnan said. \u201cOur hope is that books like \u2018Luna the Cat\u2019 will not only spark a passion for history and archaeology in young readers but also help inspire the next generation of heritage stewards.\u201d<\/p>\n

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