In mid-2021 — during the pandemic — Zig-Zag Publishing contacted Dante and Tomás to ask if they would be interested in writing a book.
After considering it for a few months, the authors of Bichología: Logbook of a Mountain Excursion accepted the challenge and began working on the book’s structure. They defined key features such as the inclusion of comics, fact sheets, and narrative elements to create a dynamic and engaging text for children.
The adventures told in the book are a co-creation of Dante and Tomás Vergara, the result of collaborative conversations aimed at enriching each chapter. Tomás took charge of crafting these ideas into written form.
For both authors, it was important that the illustrations be created by Antonia Lara, a Chilean artist known for her ability to depict “ecosystem landscapes” with movement, interaction, and dynamism (Instagram: @antonia.lara.g).
The publisher agreed, and coordination with the artist — who ultimately joined the project — required some effort due to scheduling.
In 2024, revisions resumed with the book’s editor, Camila Bralic (Zig-Zag), now with a new objective: to offer the book at the lowest possible cost without compromising material quality, considering its intended use within the educational system.
That same year, UNICEF Chile joined the project, reviewing the text and contributing comments that enhanced some sections from a child and youth-centered perspective.