Books by Samantha Cora

"Beautifully illustrated with museum quality artwork by illustrator Rosie Eve, "Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross" by author/storyteller Samantha Cora is a fun and informative picture book for children ages 4-8. Of special note is the information provided about the Galapagos Islands and the many of creatures who live there. With its underlying message about having courage, "Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Wildlife themed picture book collections."
- Midwest Book Review

"This story is so clever and inspiring, and there is so much to love in it! Waverly is a young albatross who is filled with doubt when it is time to fly. After her stumble, she meets a variety of creatures on Española Island that help her face her fears. This includes a wise Giant tortoise named Sal and a kind Whale Shark named Daphne. From the rhyming, the inclusion of Spanish words (hay más) and the interesting host of characters, this book was SO much fun to read aloud. Not only did we love the inspiring message, the illustrations are absolutely mesmerizing too. There is also a lot of great info in the backmatter."
- Amy Mucci, @brightwishbooks

uGROnews
March 29, 2025
By Joyce P. Uglow and Kathy Groth

"My message to creators is to write your story. The one that you can’t stop thinking about. The one that keeps you up at night. This might go against popular advice, but I don’t think you should write for anyone but yourself, because I believe that the more personal a story is, the more relatable and universal it can become for others. Not every story is going to resonate with everyone. Not every story is going to be published. And that’s OK. Keep writing. Because for those who do connect with your story, it’s going to be that more powerful because you’ve poured your heart and soul into it. I hope that you are proud of you!" - Samantha Cora

KEEP READING >

Bay Creek Bulletin
December 2025/January 2026
By Alina Loux

In September of 2024, I met two picture book author friends at Lakeside Street Coffeehouse.

We parked ourselves on the back deck, chatting about characters and story arcs while our kiddos played at Bernie’s Beach. While getting ready to leave, I suggested that we meet again in October, and maybe we could invite a few other author friends.

In October, 6 authors showed up. In November, 8 showed up.

Before we knew it, we had a listserve of over 50 picture book authors and illustrators, with an average monthly attendance of 15 people.

The group is open to people at every stage of the publication journey: Published or unpublished. Traditionally published or self-published. Picture Book Authors or Middle Grade Authors. Authors or illustrators. In fact, we often have as many illustrators in attendance as authors. Some members of the group are from our neighborhood (like me) and some even drive in from outside of Madison.

Our community of authors continues to grow, and on December 21st from 8-10am Lakeside Street Coffeehouse will host the first Lakeside Children’s Authors and Illustrators Pop-up Book Sale, where people from our community can meet the authors/illustrators and shop signed local children’s books.

There will be books for kids of all ages. If you’re interested in joining the Lakeside Children’s Authors and Illustrators, we meet at Lakeside Street Coffeehouse from 9-10am on the fourth Friday of every month. You can also ask to join our listserve by emailing me at hello@alinaloux. com.

We would love to see you there. (The founding authors of the Lakeside Children’s Authors and Illustrators are Samantha Cora: Author of Waverly Braves the Breeze: A Story of a Galapagos Albatross, Tracy Phillippi: Author of The Wild Island: An Adventure at Isle Royale National Park, and Alina Loux, Author of The Toothbrush Circus, If You Were the Moon, My Love, and May You Always Find Wonder).

KEEP READING >

The Capital Times
June 13, 2024

What a night we had at Read(y) To Wear! The Cap Times was thrilled to once again be a sponsor of and attend Madison Reading Project, Inc.'s annual paper fashion show and fundraiser.

While the Cap Times' design (by Samantha Cora) didn't win this year, we think we looked pretty good up there.

Photo of Becky Vickroy as "Waverly" by Beck Henreckson

LEARN MORE >

LEAP Elementary, WI PTO
June 5, 2024

Back on May 14th, local author Samantha (Christian) Cora visited LEAP Elementary and shared her book “Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galápagos Albatross.”

It was interesting and enlightening to hear about the Galápagos Islands and the lengthy process of writing and publishing a book. Thank you Samantha for sharing your time and book with us. We really enjoyed your visit!

Watertown Daily Times
May 23, 2024
By Ed Zagorski

LEBANON— If her story’s main character’s trait is courage, it reflects the author. She had no intentions on writing a book, but decided to put on paper what was in her heart. 

Samantha Cora, a former Watertown Daily Times writer and photographer, recently visited Lebanon Lutheran School, where she was once was a student, to share and read her book, “Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galápagos Albatross.”

The story was inspired by a trip she took several years ago to the Galápagos Islands as a student at St. Norbert College.

While on the trip, she witnessed a young albatross, who seemed stuck on the edge of a cliff, lagging behind its peers in flying from its roost.

“I wanted to introduce children to this magical place and also to the important idea that while we may have worries or experience anxiety, we can acknowledge those emotions and still move forward,” Cora said.

“Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galápagos Albatross” is a rhyming children’s picture book that explores the anxiety, friendship and bravery while introducing kids to the life cycle of the waved albatross, some of the unusual animals of the Galápagos Islands and Spanish phrases.

“Waverly and the other characters she meets along her journey model realistic conversations around fear and friendship,” Cora said.

“My hope is that Waverly’s story helps readers feel empowered to bravely navigate their emotions. The heart of the story comes down to believing in yourself.”

Cora, who grew up with an interest for the natural world, would often explore the woods around her family farm and cabin in Wisconsin, writing stories and taking photos.

“I was writing when I was very young,” Cora said. “I had a pretty big imagination and would get lost in my thoughts.”

After the trip to Galápagos Islands, Cora did document it with an article and photos for her college paper, but she admitted she had no intentions of ever writing a book on it, but, in 2018, she began writing several drafts. She immersed herself in online classes of children’s picture book courses and eventually sent the manuscripts to professors at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Madison to review it.

Her manuscript eventually was published.

“You have to open yourself up to the different possibilities you may find along the way,” Cora said. “I encourage anyone to do it (write a book).”

She said going on the trip took her out of her comfort zone, but, if she didn’t go and explore with some of her fellow college friends, the book would have never come to fruition.

“Like Waverly, you have to believe in yourself,” she said. “Surround yourself with people who are encouraging and you will eventually succeed.”

Cora will be hosting a book signing from 10-11 a.m. July 27 at Literatus & Co., 401 E. Main St.

KEEP READING >