Meet the Characters

 Kayla from Kayla and Eli Discover Jazz, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: December 3rd

Where: Miami, FL

Interests: Music and dancing!  Kayla loves to sing and dance, especially tap dance!  She also loves dogs and is currently trying to convince her mom to get her a small puppy.

Get to know more about Kayla in the following books: Kayla & Eli Discover Jazz and Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo.

 Eli from Kayla and Eli Discover Jazz, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: August 5th

Where: Miami, FL

Interests: Eli loves music and wants to learn to play an instrument.  He's especially interested in the trumpet.  Eli also likes to play outside and explore nature.

Get to know more about Eli in the following books: Kayla & Eli Discover Jazz and Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo.

 Jazz Cat from Kayla and Eli Discover Jazz, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: April 15th

Where: New Orleans, LA

Interests: Jazz Cat plays the harmonica.  When he's not eating a homemade bowl of New Orleans style Gumbo, he loves teaching others about music history.  Jazz Cat's birthday is during the month of April which is Jazz Appreciation Month.

Get to know more about Jazz Cat in the following book: Kayla & Eli Discover Jazz

 Tupi from Tupi Finds His Tune, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: May 26th

Where: Limón, Costa Rica

Interests: Tupi likes to sing and dance!  He also enjoys spending time with his parents and flying around the rainforest with his friends.

Get to know more about Tupi in the following book: Tupi Finds His Tune

 Scarlet from Tupi Finds His Tune, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: October 28th

Where: Limón, Costa Rica

Interests: Scarlet enjoys peaceful time at home working on her arts and crafts.  Each year she creates lots of carnival costumes for her friends.

Get to know more about Scarlet in the following book: Tupi Finds His Tune

 Red Eye from Tupi Finds His Tune, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: March 1st

Where: Limón, Costa Rica

Interests: Red Eye enjoys track and field sports.  He's a four-time winner of the Limón Lilypad Triathlon which includes: swimming, Lily pad jumping and fly catching.

Get to know more about Red Eye in the following book: Tupi Finds His Tune

 Toco from Tupi Finds His Tune, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: December 19th

Where: Limón, Costa Rica

Interests: Toco loves to read and is known throughout the rainforest as a worldly scholar.  He loves his role as rainforest chief and spends lots of time helping to keep the rain forests clean.

Get to know more about Toco in the following book: Tupi Finds His Tune

 Cricketty from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: December 26th

Where: New York, NY

Interests: Cricketty is a natural leader.  He was invited to Florida by the zoo inhabitants to help create the best zoo band in the world.  When Cricketty isn't leading the band, he's reading books to sharpen his musical knowledge.  Cricketty also enjoys Yoga.

Get to know more about Cricketty in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 Attila from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: January 4th

Where: Congo Rainforest

Interests: Attila is a percussion expert who loves to drum.  He's traveled across Africa with several rhythm bands beating his chest like a bass drum and providing a solid downbeat.  He moved to Miami a few years ago with his friend Millie to play with the zoo band.

Get to know more about Attila in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 Millie from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: August 23rd

Where:  Congo Rainforest

Interests: Millie is a part-time percussionist who likes to have fun chasing birds off of trees when he's not playing music.  He enjoys playing a trash can top like a snare drum and is known for having magically fast hands.

Get to know more about Millie in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 Sissy from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: July 19th

Where: Everglades, FL

Interests: Sissy likes to have fun climbing trees, playing in the grass and playing music with her friends at the zoo.  When Sissy hisses, she sounds like a cymbal instrument.  She helps to add sizzling accents to the zoo band music.

Get to know more about Sissy in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 Shake from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: July 19th

Where: Everglades, FL

Interests: Just like his twin sister Sissy, Shake likes to have fun climbing trees, playing in the grass and playing music with his friends at the zoo.  When Shake rattles his tail, he sounds just like a shaker instrument.  He uses his rattle to help the band keep time with the music.

Get to know more about Shake in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 Bimini from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: February 3rd

Where: Yellowstone National Park

Interests: Bimini is a natural wonder.  He was discovered in Yellowstone National Park where he was known as Bimini the Singing Bear.  He's got a low voice that sounds like a tuba instrument.

Get to know more about Bimini in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 Ernie and Tootie from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born:  January 10th & May 15th

Where: Miami, FL

Interests: Both Ernie and Tootie where born at the Miami zoo and have been friends for a long time.  They both enjoy spending time watching the zoo visitors and laughing at the funny things visitors do.  But their favorite pass-time is playing with the zoo band.  When Ernie blows his trunk, he sounds just like a trumpet instrument.  Tootie's singing sounds just like a flute.

Get to know more about Ernie & Tootie in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo

 CeCe from Kayla and Eli Hear Music at the Zoo, a book written by Author Stephan Earl.

Born: February 2nd

Where:  New Guinea

Interests: CeCe is a classically trained vocalist who enjoys singing and acting.  She's often called a diva by her friends, because she's a natural star.  When she's not on stage dazzling audiences, CeCe volunteers as a singing and acting coach for kids.  

Get to know more about CeCe in the following book: Kayla & Eli Hear Music at the Zoo