Book Review of Rusty the Ringtail
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The Children’s Book Review
Rusty the Ringtail
Written by Thomas Lopez
Illustrated by Kurniawan Pangestu
Ages: 4-6 | 48 Pages
Publisher: HOOTLUM (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-218-89550-1
What to Expect: US history, Arizona, Mining, Wildlife, Exploration.
Steeped in the real historical heritage of the town of Jerome, this picture book takes readers on a high-fidelity journey through the abandoned mines on the mountain, the sweeping desert vistas of Sedona, the majesty of the Grand Canyon, and many more places besides.
Rusty the Ringtail looks after the abandoned Little Daisy mines every night—but it’s lonely work scaring away the rodents who might disturb the dynamite boxes or chew on the support beams. Then, one night, Rusty makes a surprising new friend—the ghost of a donkey named Jimmy! Jimmy used haul carts in the mine, and he’s seen a lot more of the amazing Arizona landscape than Rusty has.
Soon, the two are going on nightly adventures to explore the wonders that lie all around the town of Jerome. When they find a little girl trapped on a ledge, the two work as a team to make sure she gets rescued—it’s all in a night’s work for the Little Daisy watchman!
Readers will enjoy seeing the history and modern-day beauty of Arizona through the eyes of the curious and conscientious Rusty and his wise ghostly sidekick. The digital artwork is filled with carefully observed details, reflecting keen attention to the rich natural and cultural heritage of historic Arizona. Several fact pages at the end of the volume encourage readers to explore further, from learning about the cultures that inhabited the area before the miners to visiting the area to explore its unique landscape for themselves.
Perfect for curious minds of all ages, Rusty the Ringtail is a picture book sure to become a favorite in libraries and classrooms.
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About the Author
Thomas Lopez is an Arizona-born industrial designer and inventor with a professional legacy rooted in precision and infrastructure. With over 20 U.S. patents and a career defined by large-scale engineering, Lopez represents a unique bridge between technical innovation and cinematic storytelling.
The inspiration for his transition into authorship was a four-year, meticulous renovation of a 1914 UVX Miner’s house on Jerome’s Cleopatra Hill. It was during this hands-on restoration of the historic structure that Lopez developed a deep reverence for the grit and mystery of the Little Daisy Mine. This immersive process of uncovering the “mile-high city’s” architectural and cultural layers became the foundation for his creative house, HOOTLUM.
Through his debut title, Rusty the Ringtail, Lopez applies a veteran inventor’s eye for detail to the “Cinematic Heritage” of the American West. By blending high-fidelity digital art with the history discovered during his time in Jerome, he creates premium narrative experiences that honor the spirit of the Verde Valley for a global audience of collectors and curious minds alike.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Rusty the Ringtail. Learn more about getting a book review …
