Gail Kuhnlein’s new picture book teaches kids wildlife compassion

Michigan children’s author Gail Kuhnlein is highlighting Into the Thicket ahead of World Kindness Day on Nov. 13. The picture book, inspired by a true backyard rescue story, blends empathy lessons with practical guidance on what to do if children find an injured or abandoned wild animal.

Why it matters: - Into the Thicket is aimed at children ages 4 to 8 and turns a real wildlife rescue into a lesson on compassion. - The book also gives families and teachers a way to talk about wildlife rescue, social-emotional learning and early-elementary science. - Half of Kuhnlein’s proceeds from the book go to Out-Back Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Ottawa Lake, Michigan.

What happened: - Gail Kuhnlein is promoting Into the Thicket ahead of World Kindness Day on Nov. 13. - The picture book is inspired by a true story from Kuhnlein’s own backyard about her young son finding an injured baby rabbit about 25 years ago. - The family took the rabbit to a wildlife rehabilitator, but the kit was too young and too badly hurt to survive. - In the book, a boy named Patrick finds an injured cottontail and tries to help it. - The story follows Patrick as he faces fear, finds courage and learns that loving a wild creature sometimes means letting it go.

The details: - John Megahan illustrated the 60-page book. - The book is divided into three parts, giving families natural stopping points for a read-aloud over several nights. - Back matter includes cottontail facts, guidance on what to do and what not to do if a nest of baby rabbits appears abandoned, and directions for finding help. - The rehabilitator in the story is a young Black woman, which Kuhnlein said offers a role model for Black girls who love animals. - Kuhnlein said teachers can use the book in early-elementary science and social-emotional learning lessons. - Kuhnlein said she wants children to come away with “an enhanced feeling of compassion, love, and respect for wildlife and our natural world.” - Kuhnlein also said she wants children and adults to be more prepared if they find an injured or abandoned creature and to know who to contact. - Kuhnlein said reviews have noted the story’s emotional depth and its staying power after the final page. - The book was published in hardcover in August 2025 for $27.99 with ISBN 979-8990747807. - Paperback followed in April 2026 for $14.99. - The Kindle ebook also arrived in April 2026 for $5.99 and is free with Kindle Unlimited. - The book is sold online and can be ordered through independent bookstores. - Kuhnlein is also encouraging readers to shop at a local indie bookstore or through Bookshop.org, or to ask a library to add the book. - More information is available at the author’s website.

Between the lines: - The book lands as children are growing up amid constant news about climate change and biodiversity loss. - Kuhnlein is positioning empathy as an early habit that may shape how children treat the planet later. - The choice to center a Black female rehabilitator broadens representation in a niche that often lacks it. - Kuhnlein’s own health story adds personal weight to the release and to the book’s focus on resilience. - In 2022, open-heart surgery to repair a leaky mitral valve led to complications, and Kuhnlein spent nearly three weeks on life support in an induced coma. - Kuhnlein survived, relearned how to walk and says she has been living on “bonus time” ever since. - Kuhnlein now volunteers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, inspired by the month her younger son spent in a NICU as a newborn. - Kuhnlein previously volunteered at the Bird Center of Michigan, caring for injured and abandoned birds. - Kuhnlein said writing picture books combines her love of children and her respect for them.

What’s next: - Kuhnlein’s next picture book, Bunchy Socks, is in development for 2027 and will focus on highly sensitive children. - Readers can support the book through independent bookstores, Bookshop.org or library requests. - Kuhnlein is directing attention to Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 as another chance to buy locally.

The bottom line: - Into the Thicket uses one child’s encounter with an injured rabbit to teach empathy, preparedness and respect for wildlife, while channeling sales toward wildlife rehabilitation.