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Rusty the Ringtail
RUSTY THE A MAGICAL ARIZONA ADVENTURE — When the sun dips behind the Mingus Mountains and the streets of Jerome go quiet, a secret world awakens in the abandoned shafts of the Little Daisy Mine. Rusty the Ringtail is the "Sheriff of the Underground," a diligent night watchman dedicated to keeping the historic copper mines in pristine order. With his large eyes and long, striped tail, Rusty ensures no mischievous rodents disturb the peace of the tunnels, but everything changes one night when the air fills with static electricity and a soft blue glow appears in the gloom.
Enter Jimmy, a shimmering ghost burro who hauled ore in these very tunnels eighty years ago. Together, this unlikely pair of partners embarks on magical adventures that soar far beyond the mountain, creating an immersive "Whimsical Western" journey that spans from Cleopatra Hill to the red rocks of Sedona and the black abyss of the Grand Canyon.
This premium audio experience celebrates the rugged beauty and rich history of the Southwest through cinematic sound design—where you can hear the "clop-clop" of ghostly hooves and the "swoosh" of stardust trails—all brought to life by professional narration that captures Jimmy's "sagebrushy" wisdom and Rusty's brave personality. It is a perfect blend of Arizona history and folklore wrapped in a modern fairytale, making it an ideal choice for bedtimes, classrooms, or family road trips through the Verde Valley.
Join Rusty and Jimmy as they prove that while the world is much bigger than a mine shaft, there's no place quite like home.
Enter Jimmy, a shimmering ghost burro who hauled ore in these very tunnels eighty years ago. Together, this unlikely pair of partners embarks on magical adventures that soar far beyond the mountain, creating an immersive "Whimsical Western" journey that spans from Cleopatra Hill to the red rocks of Sedona and the black abyss of the Grand Canyon.
This premium audio experience celebrates the rugged beauty and rich history of the Southwest through cinematic sound design—where you can hear the "clop-clop" of ghostly hooves and the "swoosh" of stardust trails—all brought to life by professional narration that captures Jimmy's "sagebrushy" wisdom and Rusty's brave personality. It is a perfect blend of Arizona history and folklore wrapped in a modern fairytale, making it an ideal choice for bedtimes, classrooms, or family road trips through the Verde Valley.
Join Rusty and Jimmy as they prove that while the world is much bigger than a mine shaft, there's no place quite like home.
48 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Thomas Lopez
1 bookThomas Lopez is a multidisciplinary creator defined by a legacy of innovation and industrial precision. An Arizona native and Municipal Aquatics Contractor, Thomas has been a leading force in large-scale water infrastructure since 2005, engineering complex projects for cities and resorts while securing over twenty U.S. patents for national brands.
His creative house, HOOTLUM, is where the "gritty heritage" of the American Southwest meets modern design. As a designer, Thomas created the patented HOOTLUM art toy—a high-end collectible that distills the desert spirit into a modernist form. As an author, Thomas uses the imprint to deliver high-fidelity storytelling and historical preservation.
Inspired by his four-year restoration of a 1914 UVX Miner’s home in Jerome, his debut title, Rusty the Ringtail, marks a milestone as the first children’s book about Jerome, Arizona, and the first to feature the state’s official mammal in a historical context. Reflecting this commitment to quality, the project is currently in contention for the National Indie Excellence, Moonbeam, Purple Dragonfly, and Readers’ Favorite awards.
His creative house, HOOTLUM, is where the "gritty heritage" of the American Southwest meets modern design. As a designer, Thomas created the patented HOOTLUM art toy—a high-end collectible that distills the desert spirit into a modernist form. As an author, Thomas uses the imprint to deliver high-fidelity storytelling and historical preservation.
Inspired by his four-year restoration of a 1914 UVX Miner’s home in Jerome, his debut title, Rusty the Ringtail, marks a milestone as the first children’s book about Jerome, Arizona, and the first to feature the state’s official mammal in a historical context. Reflecting this commitment to quality, the project is currently in contention for the National Indie Excellence, Moonbeam, Purple Dragonfly, and Readers’ Favorite awards.
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