top of page
waverly rocks image by Rosie Eve.png

Waverly Braves the Breeze

The Story of a Galápagos Albatross

Samantha Cora's debut children's picture book

Waverly Braves the Breeze book cover photo
Pink Sky image Rosie Eve 1.png

About the book

"Waverly Braves the Breeze:

The Story of a Galápagos Albatross"

Written by Samantha Cora and Illustrated by Rosie Eve  

Published 2024 by Tra Publishing and Distributed by Simon & Schuster

Length: 40 pages | ISBN13: 9781735311562 | Grades: P - 3 | Ages: 4 - 8

Waverly’s is a unique story of how bravery, friendship, and encouragement conquer anxiety. Set in the Galápagos Islands, the rhyming picture book introduces children to unusual animals and Spanish phrases while exploring the theme of overcoming fear in order to grow.

Waverly Braves the Breeze (preview image 1)
Waverly Braves the Breeze (preview image 2)
Waverly Braves the Breeze (preview image 3)
Waverly Braves the Breeze (preview image 4)
Waverly Braves the Breeze (preview image 5)
Waverly Braves the Breeze (preview image 6)

Come along to Española Island, in the Galápagos archipelago, one of the only places in the world where the waved albatross breeds. Meet Waverly, a young albatross who is afraid to spread her wings and fly. What if she gets lonely? What if she misses home? As Waverly thinks things over, she befriends other unusual and special animals on Española Island. Together, they help Waverly discover just how brave she can be.

This rhyming story skillfully explores themes of anxiety, friendship, and bravery while introducing kids to the real-world life cycle of the waved albatross. The story centers on the process of fledging, when young albatrosses reach the age of about six months and leave their home on Española Island to spend years at sea. The charming story is followed by robust educational backmatter about the Galápagos.

Samantha Cora - Photo by Jessica Fiess-Hill.png

Photo by Jessica Fiess-Hill

Pink Sky image Rosie Eve 1.png

About the author

Samantha Cora

Samantha Cora is a writer and photographer with a fascination for the natural world. She grew up exploring the woods around her family farm and cabin in Wisconsin, writing stories and taking photos. Her first children's picture book was inspired by a class trip to the Galápagos Islands. After earning a BA in English from St. Norbert College, she spent the first decade of her career as an award-winning journalist and then as a magazine editor for a national environmental nonprofit. She now works in marketing, writes stories, and is the founder of the organization Playful Acorns. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, daughter, two cats, and many backyard birds.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Fri, Apr 25
    Mount Horeb Public Library
    Apr 25, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Public Library, 105 Perimeter Rd, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Join local children's picture book authors Samantha Cora and Elizabeth Seeliger for storytimes, crafts, and more during Homeschool Hour from 1-2 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025, at Mount Horeb Public Library.
  • Wed, Apr 30
    McCarthy Youth and Conservation Park
    Apr 30, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    McCarthy Youth and Conservation Park, 4841 Co Hwy TT, Cottage Grove, WI 53527, USA
    Join Samantha Cora, local author and creator of Playful Acorns, and LC Babywearing for a short walk at McCarthy Youth Conservation Park. Get fitted for a baby carrier, listen to stories, look for birds, and follow the StoryWalk as you explore. The event is free, signed "Waverly" books for sale.
  • May 03, 2025, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    New Century School, 400 N Main St, Verona, WI 53593, USA
    Join local authors Samantha Cora and Elizabeth Seeliger with Pufferfish Publications to learn more about our children's picture books and purchase signed copies, along with those by Alina Loux and Tracy Phillippi. Enjoy local food, crafts, jewelry, and more. Free admission.
  • May 10, 2025, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    San Damiano Park, 4123 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716, USA
    Start the morning with a nature walk and join children's book authors Samantha Cora, Alina Loux, and Tracy Phillippi for storytimes, followed by face painting, nature-inspired yoga with Aldo Leopold Nature Center, nature crafts with Sprig Native Nursery, and other bird-related presentations.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Jun 09
    Seven Acre Dairy Company
    Jun 09, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
    Seven Acre Dairy Company, 6858 Paoli Rd, Belleville, WI 53508, USA
    Join Angie from The Wonder Studio for a 45-minute Kindermusik class inside Seven Acre Dairy, followed by 30-45 minutes of outdoor play, StoryWalk with local author Samantha Cora of Playful Acorns, and other activities with Amanda with Active Youth Wisconsin. Register in advance ($23/family).
  • Wed, Jun 11
    Jun 11, 2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    The Sylvee, 25 S Livingston St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
    Samantha Cora and Becky Vickroy are teaming up again for the Madison Reading Project's annual READ(y) to Wear paper fashion show fundraiser with a theme of "Legends and Fairytales." Advance tickets required (sorry, no kids). Local author book bundle will be available to bid on for silent auction.
  • Multiple Dates
    Fri, Jul 11
    Seven Acre Dairy Company
    Jul 11, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
    Seven Acre Dairy Company, 6858 Paoli Rd, Belleville, WI 53508, USA
    Join Angie from The Wonder Studio for a 45-minute Kindermusik class inside Seven Acre Dairy, followed by 30-45 minutes of outdoor play, StoryWalk with local author Samantha Cora of Playful Acorns, and other activities with Amanda with Active Youth Wisconsin. Register in advance ($23/family).
  • Multiple Dates
    Wed, Aug 06
    Seven Acre Dairy Company
    Aug 06, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
    Seven Acre Dairy Company, 6858 Paoli Rd, Belleville, WI 53508, USA
    Join Angie from The Wonder Studio for a 45-minute Kindermusik class inside Seven Acre Dairy, followed by 30-45 minutes of outdoor play, StoryWalk with local author Samantha Cora of Playful Acorns, and other activities with Amanda with Active Youth Wisconsin. Register in advance ($23/family).
  • Tue, Sep 09
    Belleville Farmers Market
    Sep 09, 2025, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
    Belleville Farmers Market, 43 E Pearl St, Belleville, WI 53508, USA
    Enjoy face painting and a visit from local author Samantha Cora with Playful Acorns at the Belleville Farmers Market for a StoryWalk and nature scavenger hunt. Signed copies of "Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross" will be available for purchase ($20 cash, check, Venmo).

Photo by Tracy Kapela

Samantha Cora Waverly Book by Tracy Kapela.jpg

REVIEWS

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.

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.

In The Press
waverly webbed feet image by Rosie Eve.png

IN THE NEWS

samantha cora lls book talk.jpg

Former WDT photographer pens children’s book

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.”

Watertown Daily Times / May 23, 2024

waverly rocks image by Rosie Eve.png

Let's connect!

Join Samantha Cora's email list, learn about upcoming events, request a book talk, or ask a question!

Media/Event Inquiries: Download the press release about "Waverly" here.

Contact

Follow along!

See the latest posts on Facebook and Instagram @author.samanthacora

Samantha Cora Childrens Book Author.JPG
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

© 2025 by Samantha Cora Christian Haas, LLC

  • Samantha Cora Facebook
  • Samantha Cora Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Samantha Cora - Home
  • Substack
  • Playful Acorns - Home
  • Playful Acorns Facebook
  • Playful Acorns Instagram
bottom of page