Young readers who have ever wished for a dog, dreamed of faraway places, or wondered what life is like beyond their own neighborhood will find a warm and imaginative adventure in Nina and Ti Punch: A French Caribbean Tail by Renée Binzer.

Created for middle-grade readers, Nina and Ti Punch follows ten-year-old Nina, a curious and determined girl who longs for a puppy of her own. When a school geography project introduces her to Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean island, Nina’s world begins to expand in unexpected ways. Through a pen-pal friendship with Séverine and the presence of Séverine’s beloved dog, Ti Punch, Nina is drawn into a story filled with friendship, responsibility, imagination, and cultural discovery.

The novel combines everyday childhood emotions with magical realism, giving readers a story that feels both relatable and adventurous. Nina’s desire for a dog becomes more than a simple wish.

Inspired by her own travels and deep connection to Guadeloupe, Binzer brings authenticity and affection to the story. The book introduces young readers to Caribbean culture in a way that feels natural and engaging.

With illustrations by Jessica Llau, Nina and Ti Punch: A French Caribbean Tail offers a reading experience that is visually inviting and emotionally rich. The book is well-suited for classrooms, libraries, family reading, and book clubs, especially for discussions around friendship, empathy, global awareness, cultural curiosity, and the responsibilities that come with caring for animals.

Nina and Ti Punch: A French Caribbean Tail is available in paperback and online through major book retailers.

About the Author

Renée Binzer is a traveler, flamenco dancer, retired dance teacher, and animal lover whose experiences in Guadeloupe inspired her debut novel. After falling in love with the island and adopting a Creole dog named Ti Punch, she created a story that celebrates friendship, imagination, cultural discovery, and the emotional connections that bring people together across distance.