Skinny Legs and Fat Cheeks

Skinny Legs and Fat Cheeks is about two animals with unique characteristics that are first perceived as having bad attributes of their bodies but they end up as being lifesavers. Zuri, the giraffe, has a very long neck and skinny legs which are quite unique, however, considered by Kubwa, the hippopotamus, to be funny looking when compared to his huge and stubby fat body. By calling each other names based upon these characteristics, these magnificent creatures point out these differences and clearly state they would never consider each other as friends. However, they both soon find out how those qualities actually are blessings because they save each other from losing their lives during a horrific wildfire. This terrible experience could have been devastating, but instead, a bonding one where the giraffe and hippopotamus become true friends despite their body differences. This book is to highlight how people can quickly judge others instead of celebrating their differences; and those unique qualities could even be lifesaving.

Skinny Legs and Fat Cheeks is Joseph's third children's book. His two other books, Squire With Fire - A Happy Dragon Tale and Squire With Fire - When Sparks Fly are both award-winning. Joseph wrote them for his daughter, Mallory, after making a promise when she was two years old that he would write a book based on dragons and knights. When Mallory informed Joseph that he would be a grandfather, he immediately wrote the Squire With Fire book series for his granddaughter, Isla. He has enjoyed writing other stories to highlight life lessons and values while entertaining the young readers with imaginative adventures. His writing also includes writing screenplays which have been optioned in Hollywood as well as upcoming young adult novels. Joseph lives with his wife, Joyce, and their Labrador Retriever, Carmella in Johnston, Iowa.