Local author's new children's series features voice of dad from "Bluey"

Local author Wayne D. Kramer has introduced a brand-new children’s book series featuring a lovable pangolin whose adventures teach lessons about friendship, empathy, and protecting wildlife.

The six-book “Penny Pangolin” series debuted October 1 and includes Penny Pangolin and the Missing Ant Cake, Penny Pangolin Wants a Pet, Penny Pangolin and the Rock Soup, Penny Pangolin and the Baboon Bully, Penny Pangolin and the Tablet Turmoil, and Penny Pangolin and the Termite Trophy.

Each story combines heartwarming themes with educational elements about endangered animals and conservation, all brought to life with vivid illustrations by Australian artist Jade Zivanovic. The series also features professionally produced audiobooks narrated by David McCormack, the voice of Bandit from the hit children's show Bluey.

Kramer, who lives in Washington County with his wife and children, developed the series with help from his kids, often brainstorming ideas over smoothies at a coffee shop.

The Washington County Times recently caught up with Kramer to talk about his journey to publication, his creative process, and what’s next for Penny Pangolin.

WCT: You’ve said you wanted to be a published author for nearly 25 years before Penny Pangolin came to life. What finally made the timing right?

KRAMER: This goes back to the first story I wanted to publish, which was a fantasy novelization of a video game called Chrono Trigger  (a project I’d still love to complete one day). I worked on that project, constantly bouncing it off that existing fan base (including a sort of “inner circle” group of fans) throughout my high school and college years. The project sat for long periods of time, until late 2015, when I got really serious and intentional about trying to take it somewhere. By that time, I had amassed a lot of business, brands licensing, and writing experience, but ultimately the matters of copyright and IP proved a significant roadblock. I decided that I still wanted to create and build a series and brand of my own, which led to the creation of the Heroes of Time fantasy series. By the time I finally started publishing in 2021, I already had kids. They loved Heroes of Time but were eager for my illustrator and me to create children’s books. My kids had been watching shows like Wild Kratts  that featured pangolins, and I soon decided this animal would make an excellent character. Thus, Penny Pangolin was born!

You’ve traveled to nearly 40 countries. Have your travels influenced your storytelling, especially your focus on global wildlife? 

My extensive travels have absolutely influenced all of my writing, both in the fantasy and children’s series. Seeing so many different places and interacting with so many people from all over the world have shaped my personal views and understanding about the broader world around us – different cultures, landscapes, habitats, histories, traditions – and I believe exposure to such things enhances my creative work. Even though I’ve been to so many places, I think I’ve still barely scratched the surface! There’s always more to see and learn.

The audiobook features David McCormack, the voice of Bluey’s dad – how did that collaboration come about, and what does it mean to you to have him narrate your stories?

I didn’t originally intend to create audiobooks for the children’s series. However, as I considered all the content I wanted to have as part of Penny Pangolin, I decided that, if I did create audiobooks, I wanted it to be really fun and with an impactful narrator. I first met David at the Lexington Comic & Toy Expo in March 2024 during a photo opp. I later approached his autographs table and gave him a set of the books, which he seemed excited about. So, when I considered the possible Penny Pangolin audiobooks, his voice was forefront in my mind. I was able to reach his agent and ultimately work out a deal to create the audiobooks and accompanying promotional material. Creating all of this was an absolute blast. I even went to Sydney, Australia to direct the recordings live and create a video with David.

You’ve described working on the Penny Pangolin series with your kids over smoothies at your favorite coffee shop. Was this a location in Washington County? If so, that would be a fun tidbit to include for our readers. 

Primarily this was in the Coffee Crossing in Sellersburg – not Washington County but still local, and I will say that we’re also quite partial to the H&R Bakery in Salem.

What advice would you give to other local writers who may dream of publishing their own book someday?

 The first thing to understand is that it’s an extremely saturated market and VERY hard to stand out. The very first thing you need is a great book that is capable of generating a following of excited readers. Content should always be the first focus – making it the absolute best it can be.

Next, in my professional opinion, AI should have no part of it. If you feel the need for AI in any part of the creative process, then consider that this might not be the dream you thought it was. I’m serious about this. Creativity is a human-driven byproduct. That might mean taking the time to struggle through writer’s block or outlining or building the next scene, but that’s part of the process. The work needs to be wholly YOURS. The writing, illustrations, narration – any of the creative aspects – need to be human. People can tell when it’s not.

Beyond all of this, being an author can be extremely rewarding, but it’s also very hard. You hope for the best but should also be prepared not to make back any investment you put into it. If things do start to catch on for you, though, it’s the absolute BEST feeling.

Do you have any plans for local readings, school visits, or book signings here in Washington County?

 I’ve already done some readings at East Washington Elementary and would absolutely be happy to set up more in the local area. I recently appeared at the Charlestown Library (Clark County) and would similarly be happy to visit a library in Washington County. You can keep up with my appearances and events at the PennyPangolin.com website, social media, and my mailing list.

What’s next? Are there more Penny Pangolin books in the works, or are you working on anything new? 

Since I now have 6 Penny Pangolin books freshly launched, my immediate hope is to get these out into the world and in as many hands as possible. I absolutely expect to continue Penny’s adventures as well as others under the “Penny Pangolin and Friends” brand. Penny’s current adventures take place in an Asian setting. I expect we’ll visit other areas of the world in the future, perhaps Africa next. I am also coming out with new novels in the Heroes of Time series in the near future. Definitely stay tuned for more to come!