Chance the Snapper captivated the city as he eluded capture this summer until a bearded alligator hunter arrived from Florida to lure him to safety. Hearts literally swooned.
Now, Alligator Robb, aka Frank Robb, and Chance the Snapper are getting to tell “their” story their way in a new coloring and storybook, The Adventures of Chicago Chance and Frank Robb, illustrated by Chicago-area native Ben Clark and available this week.
The story is written from Chance’s point of view, tracing his journey from being hatched in Florida to Chicago’s Humboldt Park Lagoon, when he became too big for his Chicago owners and back to Florida where he and Robb become lifelong friends at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoo, according to the news release.
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to share the story of Chance with everyone in this coloring and storybook. This is a story of conservation of a species that I was raised around and truly love. I look forward to y’all reading the story of Chicago Chance,” Robb says in the news release.
Upcoming book signings:
- 7-9 p.m. Nov. 8 at Trader Todd’s, 3216 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago
- 5-8 p.m., Nov. 15 at Murray Bros. Caddyshack Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5496 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 16, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State St., Chicago.
The story is a collaborative effort, with Jen and John Brueggen of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoo, Anna Clark, the illustrator’s wife, and Betsy Shepherd, Robb’s manager and publicist, contributing to the writing with Robb.
The $16 book is available at RealAlligatorRobb.com and at various stores throughout Chicago and Florida. Proceeds benefit crocodilian conservations efforts and first responders.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.