About - Robert Andrew Provan

About the Author

After graduating from high school, Bob enlisted in the US Navy to follow his love of the sea. Bob logged many a mile through journeys to distant tropical oceans.

Today, Bob lives in Florida, still drawn to the ocean and frequents the Florida Keys as much as possible.

A Love for the Deep Blue

Childhood in Vermont: A Natural Connection

From a tender age, Robert was captivated by the lush landscapes of Vermont. Raised amidst the verdant mountains, his childhood was a tapestry of sparkling streams, tranquil rivers, and serene lakes.

A Fateful Journey Across the Atlantic

At just five years old, a voyage to England with his family expanded his horizons—quite literally—to include the ocean. It was on this journey that young Robert made a resounding declaration: he was destined for the Navy and, curiously enough, a parrot tattoo.

Adventures in the Navy: A Global Exploration

As years rolled by, the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau fueled his fascination with ocean life. Eventually, Robert made good on his childhood promise by enlisting in the United States Navy. Stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, he explored the wonders of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, delving into marine biology and gaining a profound understanding of the necessity to protect our blue planet.

A Return to Civilian Life: Always an Environmentalist

Upon leaving the Navy—now sporting the prophesied parrot tattoo from Hawaii—Robert resettled in Vermont, embarking on a career in construction. Yet, the call of the sea remained irresistible. Family vacations often revolved around eco-adventures in destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the Florida Keys.

Inspiration from the Next Generation: Ronnie the Raindrop

The inquisitive mind of his young daughter, asking, “Where does water come from?”, sparked the inception of Ronnie the Raindrop. Initially a cherished family bedtime story, it eventually morphed into a book series aimed at instilling a sense of environmental stewardship in younger generations.

Reviews

"My son (7yrs old) liked listening to me read him the story of Ronnie the Raindrop. It was a fun informative story about the life cycle of water that he was able to engage with and enjoy!"

"Ronnie the Raindrop does an excellent job explaining the water cycle from beginning to end while being age appropriate for elementary school children. I could see this being used as a multi-lesson unit for introducing this water cycle. My son (7yrs) loved it!"

"This is a cute story about friendship while also engaging the reader about the water cycle and the many different bodies of water. My daughter loved the beautiful illustrations throughout the book."

"Elementary-level readers will find that this survey of coral reefs offers a different, more intimate perspective about undersea life and human influences on its quality and nature. Provan injects ecological impact concerns seamlessly into the fish world, so the impact of plastic bags in the ocean (for one example) hits home harder than it would in a typically nonfictional survey of ocean life and ecology. By personalizing the coral reef world and presenting it through the eyes of a pair of fishy adventurers, Provan creates a compelling world that comes to life in a more personal way than most undersea natural histories allow. Libraries and educators will thus find that Sammy & Scarlett's Coral Reef Adventure embraces many themes of ecology and ocean preservation that will prove key to better understanding, couched in the form of an adventure tale that will widely appeal to young audiences."

"Sammy & Scarlett's Coral Reef Adventure" is a wonderful children’s book that combines entertainment and education to convey important messages about friendship, environmental awareness, and the impact of human actions on the natural world. The opening line sets a vivid scene, introducing readers to the setting and inviting them into Sammy and Scarlett’s world.

Sammy & Scarlett's Coral Reef Adventure is beautifully illustrated by the talented artist, Mary Wentzel. The vivid and colorful pictures were a wonderful addition to the book and helped contribute to the story. Such a perfect way for the youngest of readers to stay focused as to what is going on each page. Sammy & Scarlett's Coral Reef Adventure will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who are between the ages of three and eight. I would love to see it on public children’s library shelves and / or in elementary classrooms. I would love to see more Sammy and Scarlett adventures to come.

I love the magnificent illustrations created by Mary Wentael in Sammy & Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure by Robert Andrew Provan. Detailed and colorful that lead us, step by step, through the story. I was eager to get my hands on it, and wasted no time diving in. I love anything to do with oceans, seas, lakes, ponds…and all of their inhabitants. I am fascinated with water and find it soothing, hypnotizing.....I loved it. I loved it. I loved it.