Magic City Books is happy to welcome local author and educator Pat Smith for a free in-store event on Monday, January 17 to celebrate her book, Mary Wilson and Her Wild and Wonderful Family.
Mary J. Wilson was the first African-American woman to become a senior zookeeper at the Baltimore Zoo. Mary’s zoo animals became her family, she even planned and tried to host a wedding for two of her gorillas, Sylvia and Hercules. Mary Wilson and her Wild and Wonderful Family is a true adventure story that children, parents, and educators will enjoy!
Mary Wilson and Her Wild and Wonderful Family was published summer of 2025, and you can purchase a copy through Magic City Books.
About the Author
Pat Smith is a national award-winning educator and researcher. Sprouting Wings, the story of James Herman Banning, first African American to successfully fly coast-to-coast from Los Angeles, CA to Valley Stream, NY in 1932 was her first research challenge. Banning’s book encouraged her to look for stories of other people who overcame great challenges to reach their special dreams, she developed the Dare to Dream series of books with Jessica Cox to inspire young children and adults.
Pat Smith is a national award-winning educator and researcher. Sprouting Wings, the story of James Herman Banning, first African American to successfully fly coast-to-coast from Los Angeles, CA to Valley Stream, NY in 1932 was her first research challenge. Banning’s book encouraged her to look for stories of other people who overcame great challenges to reach their special dreams, she developed the Dare to Dream series of books with Jessica Cox to inspire young children and adults.
