A Gecko. A Boy. A Sustainable Solution.
When young Abdullah discovers a gecko mimicking the notes of his oud, an unexpected friendship begins. But when Chuk and his gecko friends make their way inside the family villa, Abdullah and his sister Meera have to figure out what to do — in a way that’s kind to the creatures and the world around them.
A charming, warmly illustrated story about curiosity, empathy, and finding solutions that work for everyone — including the gecko.
Written and illustrated by Daphne and Gerald Mercer
Softcover: 978-1-961905-60-3 | $12.95
E-book: 978-1-961905-61-0 | $2.99
July 2025 | 32 pages | Ages 8-12 years
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Using Chuk with young readers
This book works well beyond the page. A few ways to extend the experience:
Wildlife observation — Geckos are fascinating and often misunderstood. Invite children to research gecko behavior — how they move, what they eat, why they’re drawn to light — and compare what they learn to Abdullah’s experience.
Sustainable problem-solving — Abdullah and Meera don’t just get rid of the geckos — they look for a solution that respects the animals. Use the story to talk about how we solve problems in ways that consider other living things.
Cultural curiosity — The story is set in the Middle East and includes the oud, a traditional stringed instrument. A great starting point for exploring music, culture, and daily life in a part of the world many young readers haven’t encountered.
Fear and empathy — Lots of children are nervous about lizards and insects. Chuk is a gentle way to reframe that reaction — from fear toward curiosity and appreciation.
“I read Chuk with my 2nd graders during our unit on animals and environments. The students were fascinated by the gecko, and the DIY trap activity sparked a whole conversation about humane ways to deal with household creatures. A thoughtful story with gentle humor—and the illustrations by Gerald Mercer really captured their attention.”
— Maya Lainer, elementary school teacher, Oregon
“I appreciated how Chuk introduces children to environmental thinking without preaching. The story shows a family working together to respect animals and solve a problem sustainably. That’s the kind of early awareness we need more of in kids’ books.”
— Tariq Mansour, urban ecologist and father of two
“As someone teaching English in Abu Dhabi, I loved seeing a story set here that felt familiar and respectful. My students connected with the villa setting and loved the musical element with the oud. We even made connections to how animals adapt to human spaces. Gerald Mercer’s illustrations are a beautiful match for the story.”
— Leila Haddad., ESL teacher, United Arab Emirates
“Chuk is a beautifully illustrated story that celebrates cultural diversity. It’s an excellent choice for classroom read-alouds and would make a valuable addition to any elementary school library.”
— Susanne Barbour, educator specialist
“Chuk made my grandson laugh, then ask all sorts of questions about lizards and ‘why they blink with their tongues.’ We ended up building a little bug observation spot in the backyard. I’d say that’s a book that did its job.”
— Frank Belany, grandparent and retired mechanic
“Chuk is a fantastic children’s book, family book, educational book, biodiversity and nature book—I could go on! Delightful! Superb!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!”
— Sandra Shepherd, educator and reading specialist
