John Raffensperger

Jennifer the Flying Alligator John Raffensperger

Jennifer, a young alligator, was smaller and different from her brothers and sisters. She did not eat frogs and small dogs, but liked spaghetti and tacos. One day a big cousin who normally lived at the deep end of the pond chased Jennifer and tried to bite her tail. Jennifer jumped into the air, flapped her front legs, and flew. She crashed into a tree and hurt her nose, but didn't quit. She continued to fly. From high in the sky, she could see where the two-legged animals had built houses and parking lots on all the places where animals once lived. Uncle Al, a wise old alligator, advised her to find the Everglades, where there were ponds, trees, other animals, and good things to eat.

She flew south but got lost, was hurt, caught in a net, and nearly crushed by cars. She finally found peaceful lakes, flocks of birds, and an Indian girl who introduced her to the animals who lived on the islands and small ponds in the Everglades. Jennifer taught her new friends to eat berries and fruit instead of each other, so they could live together in peace. Her happiness was complete when Jennifer found Oscar, another flying alligator.

About The Author:

Dr. John Raffensperger, Uncle Jack to his great-grandchildren, took care of sick kids until he retired with his wife Susan, a dog, and two cats on a small island off the coast of Florida. Bobcats, rabbits, black snakes, owls, and ospreys play in their backyard. 'Uncle Jack' wrote Jennifer the Flying Alligator so kids could learn about how animals are losing their homes and why we humans must provide safe places for our animal friends.