Maureen Lawry is a lifelong educator, puppeteer, and nature lover who has spent decades learning about the prairie grasslands in the West.. Based in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, Maureen brings her Montessori training, Fulbright Puppetry experience in Hungary, and years of storytelling to her work.. Saving Petey: A Prairie Dog’s Journey grew out of her passion for the prairie ecosystem and her work with scientists, students, and conservationists to protect prairie dog colonies.

When she’s not painting or carving Petey’s paw print for book signings, Maureen can be found hiking, gardening, quilting or sipping coffee while watching the bears and bobcats in her backyard. This book combines science, art, and heart—while teaching young readers to question and learn about the world around them.