The Little Jaguar
My daughter Rachel has written a children’s book called The Little Jaguar. Reviewing a book written by your own daughter presents a small credibility problem. It’s a little like sitting in the audience at your kid’s dance recital. You’re trying to appreciate the entire performance, but let’s be honest: you only really care when your kid walks on stage.
So yes, I’m biased. But that doesn’t diminish how fun this book is.
The story follows a young girl named Lily exploring the rainforest of Belize who meets a playful jaguar cub. Yes, if you haven’t already figured it out, the name Lily has a special in the hearts of all of the Goble family!
All of this happens at Jaguar Creek, a place where our family has a long history. It’s the kind of place where you wake up to howler monkeys arguing in the distance. And yes, jaguars really do live there. They’re rarely seen, which only makes the idea of one appearing in a children’s story feel even more magical.
The jaguar cub she befriends is named Carlos. That name has a backstory. Carlos is the manager of Jaguar Creek. The real Carlos is a steady, capable, deeply respected leader. The fictional Carlos, fortunately for everyone, is a small jaguar cub and considerably less likely to reorganize the reservations schedule.
The story itself is simple, which is exactly why it works. Kids don’t need complicated plots. What they love is discovery: frogs to catch, butterflies to watch, streams to splash in. Rachel captures that sense of curiosity well.
The illustrations help too. They’re bright, colorful, and full of life. Kids will be immediately drawn to them.
Good children’s books do something subtle. They entertain kids in the moment but quietly encourage curiosity about animals, a sense that the natural world is full of wonder, maybe even a desire to explore places beyond their own backyard.
The Little Jaguar does exactly that.
If a few kids read it and suddenly start asking questions about rainforests, wildlife, or even where Belize is on a map, then this book has done its job. And if the author happens to be my daughter … well, I suppose that makes the whole adventure even better.
I highly recommend it for the little ones in your life!