While traveling to the zoo on the animal bus, Kebo, a panther cub, ventured away from his animal friends to go exploring. On his adventure, Kebo learned many valuable lessons. 

This is the plot for Damon Pickett’s latest children’s book, “Kebo in the Animal Bus.” Pickett, a Selma native, tapped into his creative writing skills after losing a son several hours after birth. Writing the book, Pickett said, was a way he felt he could channel his hurt in a positive way.

“Since I didn’t have the chance to raise him, God gave me the idea to write children’s books,” Pickett said. “That’s when I created Kebo in the Animal Bus, and it’s been real popular.”

The 21-page book is geared toward children in pre-K through first grade, Pickett said. It is available on www.lulu.com and costs $12.

“The message of the story is to stay close with your parents when they take you somewhere,” Pickett said, adding that when Kebo leaves the bus, he encounters some “not so friendly animals.”

After reading the story, however, Pickett said people have drawn different messages, which have all been positive.

“At the end of the story, Kebo ends up finding the animal bus and he’s just so happy to be back on the bus again with all of his animal friends,” Pickett said. “It teaches children to mind their parents and do what they tell you to do.”

And because his children’s books have been such a success, Pickett said he plans to write more.

“It sends a positive message,” Pickett said of his books. “There are also coloring pages and crosswords in the book so children can interact with the story.”

For more information on Pickett’s stories, visit www.facebook.com/damonpickett.childrenstories.