In April 2003, Eaglemont Press launched its new Adventures of Riley children's book series at the Central Park Zoo in New York. This thrilling series, for children ages 4-8, offers an entertaining and educational look at such issues as wildlife conservation, culture preservation, and habitat restoration. Through the characters zany misadventures, children are presented with important concepts and life lessons which help them gain a better understanding of themselves and the world they live in.

The storylines chronicle nine-year-old Riley's global travels with his Uncle Max, who is a world-renowned conservation biologist. They are accompanied by Riley's Aunt Martha and Cousin Alice. It is an innovative new look for children¹s books, utilizing Eaglemont Press's award-winning format of blending whimsical illustrations with stunning photographs. Eaglemont Press has teamed up with scientists from the Smithsonian Institution, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS associated with the Bronx Zoo) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

The Riley series will focus primarily on global conservation "hotspots," which are eco-regions around the world that are at particular risk and/or contain endangered species with critically low populations. Each new book in the series will feature Riley in another exotic locale as he eagerly works alongside his Uncle Max to problem solve various conservation issues. In the process, Riley meets and learns from new friends from a variety of global cultures.

In his first adventure, Tigers in Terai, Riley travels with his Cousin Alice, Aunt Martha and Uncle Max, to the Terai Arc region of Nepal and India. While (carefully!) researching the dwindling tiger population, they come face to face with a variety of animals, befriend a local guide and his son, and experience some unexpected surprises. The story includes facts about endangered animals found in the region presented by caricatures of real-life scientists from the three endorsing conservation organizations, as well as information on the local culture. Lumry and co-author Laura Hurwitz also incorporate a lesson in honesty when Riley decides to return a valuable money pouch to its rightful owner. The whole adventure is more fun than catching a tiger by the tail!

In Riley's first book, Riley and family travel to the exotic and lush Terai Arc region of India and Nepal, where there is much concern over the dwindling Bengal Tiger population and habitat.