Erica AndrewsErica grew up in North Carolina, where she had a great love for the wild outdoors and its diverse wildlife. She always had a hobby interest in learning more about the animals that surrounded her while she was outside. One day, while visiting a swimmig hole in Boone, NC, she saw a creature she had never seen before, a giant salamander. At first, Erica was alarmed, but she went on to research these creatures, which are known as hellbenders. She became fascinated with their unique appearance and everything they could teach us about the health of the ecosystems they live in. Erica hopes that her book will raise awareness about the importance of leaving the homes of the wildlife we play around both untouched and clean, especially since Western North Carolina's rivers and streams are more popular than ever. Read More Read Less