Alan J. Hesse
ALLi Author Member
Location: Ecuador
Genres: Other, Illustrated/Photography, Nature/Science, Children's fiction, Biography, Children's Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Popular Science, Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Children's general
Alan J. Hesse is an award-winning author-illustrator who merges professional expertise in nature conservation with storytelling and artistic skills. Alan’s 30-year career in conservation gives him a unique edge as an author of children's books with an environmental focus that are both engaging and educational.
Alan is the author of ten children's books, most of them graphic novels and comics that have been compared to the legendary Tintin collection. These include the growing and highly acclaimed Adventures of Captain Polo series about climate change. The Captain Polo character is the inspiration behind the Captain Polo Academy as a global brand promoting environmental and climate literacy.
Alan J. Hesse's books
The Adventures of Captain Polo (Book 1): The Climate Change Comic - The Adventures of Captain Polo 1
When a hungry polar bear is pitched into the stormy seas from a tiny piece of melting ice, he embarks on an epic journey of discovery that will change his life forever. "A fantastically accessible way to help children understand climate change. A FINALIST and highly recommended." - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. "In essence Captain Polo is the story about us and our future on Earth, presented in a knowledge-based and adventurous way, which can spark much needed conversations and action to save Humanity." - Prof. Johan Rockström, Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. At the beginning of his life-changing journey, the bear is hungry, frightened and alone, drifting further and further from an Arctic home that is changing in ways he cannot comprehend. But the bear without a name survives, and as he travels the world, meeting colourful characters both human and non-human and getting into all...
The Adventures of Captain Polo (Book 2): Polo and the Yeti - The Adventures of Captain Polo 2
After narrowly surviving an accident at sea, Captain Polo must take matters into his own paws in order to regain his freedom and continue his epic adventure. Captain Polo and the Yeti is an exciting graphic novel in the tradition of the legendary Tintin and Asterix series. If you like stories of adventure and humour with accurate geographical and cultural settings, then you'll love this fast-paced, educational and entertaining tale. Captain Polo is devastated: his precious boat is in pieces, lying at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, and he is locked in the hold of a fishing vessel, destined to be sold to a zoo in a foreign land. In Book 2 of the series, Polo faces countless dangers and obstacles on a path that will take him across China, up the mighty Himalaya mountains into the forbidden monasteries of Tibet, through the swampy delta of Bangladesh, and into...
The Adventures of Captain Polo (Book 3): Polo in East Africa - The Adventures of Captain Polo 3
After dodging the bullets of a trophy hunter in Kenya and escaping a furious crowd in Cairo, an unexpected European encounter puts Captain Polo on the path to fulfilling his true destiny. Captain Polo in East Africa uniquely combines the entertainment value of Tintin-style graphic novel adventure, humour and geographically accurate settings with insightful education on climate change and positive action. "Everyone needs to know about climate change and the adventures of Captain Polo do just that. The illustrations give clarity to the concept and give the story a good pace and movement." - Readers Favorite "The importance of conveying the climate change message to as wide a range of audiences as possible is more apparent now than ever before. This comic provides an excellent example of how this can be achieved." - Dr. Ashton Berry, Global Climate Change Programme Coordinator, BirdLife International. Traveling the world to learn about climate...
The Adventures of Captain Polo (Book 4): Pole to Pole - The Adventures of Captain Polo 4
Driven from his melting Arctic home in search of food, Captain Polo once again takes to the ocean in his trusty boat. Little does he know about a hidden stowaway with a secret agenda... "Must read. Fantastically enjoyable graphic novel with an eco-conscious theme - educational and thought-provoking for children and adults alike...[ ]..every bit as enjoyable as other contemporary and classic graphic novels." - Reedsy Discovery Picking up from the previous books in the series, Pole to Pole sees the now well-seasoned globetrotter Captain Polo back on the ocean waves falling into one adventure after another. After nearly getting flattened by an oil tanker in a melting Arctic sea, Polo explores Siberia and Scandinavia, saves the crew of a nuclear submarine and breaks into a mysterious energy plant in Iceland before getting dragged south to the coast of West Africa by powerful Atlantic Ocean currents. Along the way he...
Captain Polo and the Halloween Party: A humorous story with a positive message. Ages 6 to 8 - The Adventures of Captain Polo
Captain Polo receives a mysterious Halloween invitation to the haunted mansion on the hill. What will he find when he gets there? Captain Polo and the Halloween Party is a fun-packed picture book for kids aged 6 to 8 similar in style to popular halloween books such as Room on the Broom, The Roll Away Pumpkin and Creepy Carrots. Captain Polo and his friend Penguin are super excited: they’ve been invited to a Halloween party! For them, this is a first. And they get to wear fancy dress! But what will they go dressed up as? And what will they encounter when they make it to the party? True to the tradition of the Adventures of Captain Polo graphic novels, this is a story that entertains but also carries a message about environment and sustainability. This book will make the perfect addition to your collection of bedtime stories for kids:...
Captain Polo at the North Pole: A children's picture book about Christmas... with a very important message! For ages 6 to 9 - The Adventures of Captain Polo
What is Polo talking about with Santa? And why does Santa look so glum? Could it be because the Arctic ice is melting?! The hero of the widely acclaimed comic series 'The Adventures of Captain Polo', stars again in this funny, vividly illustrated children's book to gently introduce some of the main facts and also practical solutions to the global climate crisis in a way that children from age 6 can understand and positively engage with. The book includes a useful glossary of main technical terms designed to help young (and not so young) readers understand the essential drivers of climate change. This updated edition also features a new section containing FOUR PRACTICAL ACTIONS that everyone can start making to become leaders towards a healthier environment and a better future. With it's festive storyline and important message, this book makes a perfect Christmas present at a time when caring about...
Captain Polo's Christmas Activity Book: Educational fun for kids aged 6-12 - The Adventures of Captain Polo
Global superstar Captain Polo is back in this festive activity book full of educational fun for kids! Following in the tradition of the widely acclaimed Adventures of Captain Polo comic book series of climate change books for kids, the assorted puzzles and games in this book bring home the daunting topic of the global climate crisis in terms that even children from age 6 can begin to relate to in a positive manner. Through humour and positive, actionable messages this interactive book bursting with fun and games helps children, their parents and teachers meaningfully engage with the climate crisis affecting the planet while at the same time offering positive messages and practical, everyday actions that entire families and classrooms can truly own and implement. Help Santa place a copy of this book under as many Christmas trees this year as possible to get every family involved as true Climate Heroes!
Fables of the Amazon: Fun Lessons in Ecology
Explore the secrets of the Amazon jungle creatures in this comic book of children's fables! The funny comic strips in this book feature facts about jungle animals drawn from actual field observations made by the conservation scientist authors. Natural history and ecology are fascinating but complex subjects. What better way to discover them than through a comic that is both funny and scientifically accurate? A perfect learning resource for nature-loving kids and adults, as well as for science teachers! Fables of the Amazon. What you will discover: - Eleven comic strip short fables featuring a wide array of South American jungle animals. Each fable comes with an ecology lesson. - An intimate look at the secret lives of wild guinea pigs, rare macaws, jaguars, leaf-cutter ants, the elusive Maned Wolf, and many others. - The authors' own natural history notes from the field with photos and cartoons. Meet the quirky...
Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection: an educational graphic novel for kids ages 9+
In 1859, Charles Darwin unveiled to the world a theory so controversial that it shook the very foundations of science and theology. If you are a fan of Tintin, Maus or the popular Science Comics series you will love the award-winning Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection. "Have you been searching for a fun and understandable way to introduce natural selection and evolution in your classroom? Look no further! Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection tells the story of Darwin’s voyage to the Galapagos Islands and his theory that followed in a comic book format that is fun for all ages." - National Science Teachers Association. For most people, Darwin's ground-breaking legacy remains shrouded in controversy. The detailed mechanics of the Theory of Evolution are largely confined to Life Science academics and professionals. Yet Darwin's work is still the best explanation we have for the fabulous...
The Adventures of Captain Polo: Book 5 - Polo in Brazil - The Adventures of Captain Polo 5
Adventure. Comedy. Climate science. A race across Brazil that could change everything. When Captain Polo, the world’s most determined polar bear, continues his journey south from the mid-Atlantic finale of Pole to Pole, Antarctica is finally within reach—or so he thinks. Instead of icy seas, he finds himself drawn into the tangled green heart of Brazil when the notorious oil tycoon Tex Greedyman heads upriver to exploit the Amazon. Polo and his ever-practical sidekick Penguin are pulled into a race against destruction that sweeps them across one of the most dynamic countries on Earth—from shark-filled waters and electric-eel rivers to burning forests and blazing southern ranch lands. Along the way, guided by conservationists and community leaders, Polo witnesses firsthand how oil roads carve open rainforest, fires devour ancient trees, and Indigenous communities fight to defend their ancestral lands—while also discovering powerful, nature-based climate solutions offering hope for the future. Blending...














