Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents follows Marty and Deb Essen on a three-and-a-half-year-long adventure to some of the wildest places on all seven continents.

The American couple began crisscrossing the globe with the simple intention of searching for rare and interesting wildlife. When their travels coincided with the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the added element made them unwitting ambassadors for peace. Their experiences--from amusing to life threatening--changed their lives forever.

This is not your average travelogue. Marty Essen has written a book that entertains, informs, and poignantly reminds us that we all share a small planet.

★ Features 85 color photos.

★ The stage show version of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents, "Around the World in 90 Minutes," has been a hit on college campuses for 14 years and counting!

Locations visited include: Belize, Peru (the Amazon Rainforest), Argentina, Australia (Queensland), Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory, and Northwest Territories), Antarctica, Europe (Spain, France, Switzerland, and Andorra), Malaysia (Borneo), and Africa (Zimbabwe).

◆ Winner: 2009 Green Book Festival Award for Animals
◆ Winner: 2007 Benjamin Franklin Award for Travel/Essay
◆ Winner: National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Award for Travel/Essay
◆ Winner: Best Books 2006 Book Award for Travel/Essay
◆ Winner: Bronze 2006 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award for Travel/Essay
◆ Winner: Bronze 2007 IPPY Award for Travel/Essay