Rhonda Lucas Donald, formerly of Washington, has just finished her newest children’s book, “Deep in the Desert.”

The picture book is a sing-along animal adventure that includes vibrant images and scenes.

“I love writing about different habitats and the plants and animals living in them,” Donald said. “Living nowhere near the desert, I find these arid ecosystems exotic and fascinating.”

Donald, who wrote the narrative for Washington’s Ghost Walk tour, is no stranger to writing. She’s written several books such as “Animal Rights: How You Can Make a Difference” and “Life on Other Planets.”

“Deep in the Desert” features catchy desert twists on traditional children’s songs and poems that will have children chiming in about cacti, camels, and more as they learn about the desert habitat and its flora and fauna, said Ashlee Rowe, Sylvan Dell Publishing’s public relations specialist.

“They can travel the world’s deserts to dig with meerkats, fly with bats and hiss with Gila monsters,” Rowe said of the book. “Whether sung or read aloud, ‘Deep in the Desert’ makes learning about deserts anything but dry.”

“And Rhonda’s is a really fun book,” she said. “I know she came up with the idea to write the book when she lived in Washington. And as far as I know, she also wrote the book while living there as well.”

Donald said South Carolina resident Sherry Neidigh designed the book’s cover and illustrated the book.

“She’s done a wonderful job and created a vibrant, colorful world of desert denizens such as camels, fennec foxes and ostriches,” Donald said. “I’m very pleased with it.”

Donald, originally from Staunton, Va., recently moved to Petersburg, Va., after living in Washington, where she wrote the book, for several years. She’s won awards for her articles and stories appearing in magazines like Ranger Rick and Your Big Backyard.

For more information about “Deep in the Desert,” visit Donald’s website at www.browntabby.com.