New audiobook brings to life animal characters—and the challenges they face

Our first audiobook, A Search for Safe Passage, has joined Smokies Life’s ever-expanding list of publications. This title for middle-grade readers follows an intrepid group of animals as they try to cross a dangerous highway.

A Search for Safe Passage, written by Frances Figart and illustrated by Emma Oxford, both on staff with Smokies Life, tells the story of best friends Bear and Deer, who grew up together on the north side of a beautiful Appalachian gorge. When their grandparents were young, animals could travel freely on either side of a fast-flowing river, but now the dangerous “Human Highway” divides their home range into the north and south sides. On the night of a full moon, two strangers arrive from the south with news that will lead to tough decisions, a life-changing adventure, and new friends joining in a search for safe passage.

Rose Houk, an Arizona-based writer and editor who has authored several books published by Smokies Life, now brings this 110-page softcover book to life using her narrating talents. Houk’s audio work includes narration of the Arizona Watchable Wildlife series. She is also a frequent contributor to the Arizona Public Radio series “Earth Notes.” Her masterful narration engages listeners in the actions and emotions of distinctive characters throughout the two-hour audiobook.

“The book addresses a pressing and critical need to protect wildlife as they continue on their age-old movements and migrations, despite barriers we have placed in their way,” Houk said. “As the narrator of A Search for Safe Passage, I was challenged to voice so many of the author’s colorful animal characters—from Elk and Deer to Opossum, Owl, and Squirrel. Not since narrating The Three Billy Goats Gruff story in third grade have I had so much fun!”

In addition to Houk, former Smokies Life CEO Laurel Rematore and several staff members and friends of the team contributed voiceovers for the book’s educational epilogue sections, as well as a section titled “Meet the Real Animals,” where listeners can get to know the creatures that are threatened by dangerous highways. Author Figart reads the bobcat information as well as her closing “Influences, Allusions, and Thanks.”

“It’s thrilling not only to hear Rose bring the characters of my book to life in audio format but also to recognize the voices of so many of my friends and colleagues in the educational back matter,” Figart said. “The medley of voices adds depth and texture to the story, and it was so inspiring to collaborate with everyone on the recordings with more than a little help from our masterful audiographer Valerie Polk.”

Listeners have access to a digital, illustrated companion booklet, as well as bonus downloadable sheet music for “Safe Passage: Animals Need a Hand,” a song written by the author and featured in the audiobook, performed by Asheville-based trio The Fates along with percussionist River Guerguerian.

The book, first published in 2021, is closely connected to the mission of Safe Passage, a collaborative campaign supported by numerous organizations and agencies, including Smokies Life, that advocates for wildlife crossings in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Drawing connections between the fictional story and real-life projects like Safe Passage, the audiobook concludes with lessons about animal habitat requirements, behavior, migration patterns, and road ecology problems and solutions developed with input from international and local experts.

The audiobook is available on Audible, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Spotify. Prices vary. Also, check the public library lending app Libby. Find more information at SmokiesLife.org/a-search-for-safe-passage.