FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced the release of its free eBook that teaches children about bugs, entomology and the pest management profession. The digital book, “The Pest Detectives,” is written by Susan Carraretto, author of the popular mom blog 5MinutesforMom, and is illustrated by Colleen Madden.
“The Pest Detectives” follows the adventures of Millie, an 8-year-old budding-entomologist, as she solves real-life pest mysteries with her father, a pest professional. Readers can join Millie as she shares stories of past pest investigations logged in her scrapbook, and as she embarks on a new case to determine the secret behind Mrs. Romero's pest problem.
“It’s important to teach children about the fascinating world of insects and the vital role pest professionals play in keeping our families and homes safe from the property and health risks posed by household pests,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. “As a mother familiar with the daily tasks associated with running a household while trying to keep the kids safe, Susan Carraretto was the perfect fit to write our main character, Millie’s, big adventure.”
For Carraretto, it was an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong wish. “I’ve always dreamed of writing a children’s book. I took courses on the subject in college, but didn’t have the chance to pursue it further as I was focused on starting a family and building 5MinutesforMom. So, when the NPMA asked me to partner with them on this project, I jumped in with both feet,” said Carraretto. “Creating this eBook with the NPMA has been a wonderful experience. I wanted to write something my kids would enjoy reading and I love how the story and visualization of Millie came to life through the illustrations.”
“Susan is an exceptionally strong writer who knows how to captivate her audience and we were really excited to work with her to share a glimpse of what a day in the life of a pest professional can entail,” Henriksen added.
The eBook is available for free on the NPMA website, PestWorld.org, in the iBookstore and the Barnes and Noble Nook store. It is also available in the Amazon Kindle Store.
About the NPMA
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.
About the Author
Susan Carraretto is a professional blogger and ecommerce store owner. She and her identical twin sister, Janice Croze, are the bloggers behind the popular website, 5MinutesforMom.com™