About Jennifer Ussi

Jennifer Ussi is a multi‑award‑winning filmmaker turned children’s author whose creative journey has taken her from the bright lights of Los Angeles to the wild landscapes of Africa. Her storytelling has always been guided by one principle: to captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.

Born with a boundless curiosity and a love of stories, Jennifer began her career working on large‑budget television commercials in Los Angeles before continuing her work in Australia, Europe, and China. She graduated from the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Film from Griffith Film School in Brisbane, Australia.

In the years that followed, Jennifer worked across television, commercials, feature films, short films, and academia, where she served as Head of Film and Television in Brisbane, overseeing more than 500 productions. Her films and scripts have won over a dozen international awards and screened at more than 100 major film festivals around the world.

An adventurer at heart, Jennifer spent three years sailing the Mediterranean with her husband, during which she wrote a novel, co‑wrote a romantic comedy screenplay, and served as Executive Producer for a print campaign for a leading car manufacturer. These travels, combined with her deep respect for nature and conservation, planted the seeds for her next creative chapter.

Today, Jennifer is best known as the author of The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, a planned 10‑book children’s series that follows a curious little cat on a journey across the African continent. Through Casper’s encounters with pangolins, elephants, giraffes, baboons, lions, and many more fascinating creatures, Jennifer weaves together engaging adventures, life lessons, and gentle conservation messages for children aged 5–10.

When she isn’t writing, Jennifer continues to travel with her husband, exploring Southern Africa in search of the wildlife, cultures, and landscapes that inspire her stories. Her passion for the natural world, combined with her cinematic storytelling skills, ensures that every book she creates is not only entertaining but also a window into the wonders of our planet.

Q&A with Jennifer Ussi

Q: Jennifer, how did you go from making films to writing children’s books?

A: I’ve always been a storyteller, whether it’s through a camera lens or on the page. My career in film took me all over the world — from Los Angeles to Australia, Europe, and China — and I loved the challenge of bringing big ideas to life visually. But during my travels, especially while sailing the Mediterranean with my husband, I started jotting down little story ideas. When we later explored Southern Africa, the incredible wildlife and landscapes inspired a whole new kind of story… one for children. That’s how The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa was born.

Q: Who is Casper, and where did the idea come from?

A: Casper is a curious, brave little house cat who somehow finds herself lost in Africa. Along the way, she meets all sorts of animals — pangolins, elephants, giraffes, baboons, lions — each with their own story to tell and lesson to share. I wanted to create a character that children could fall in love with while also learning about the real animals and the importance of protecting them. Casper’s adventures are fun and a little cheeky, but they’re also sprinkled with facts and gentle conservation messages.

Q: Your background in film is impressive. How does that influence your writing?

A: Film taught me how to see the world in vivid detail — the light, the mood, the pacing of a story. When I write, I’m essentially directing on paper. I think about how a scene would “play out” visually and emotionally, and I hope that helps make the stories more immersive for children.

Q: You’ve lived and worked in so many places. How has travel shaped your stories?

A: Travel has given me a deep appreciation for how big and beautiful the world is — and how connected we all are. Seeing animals in their natural habitats in Africa is completely different from seeing them in a book or on screen. I want my readers to feel that same sense of wonder I do when I’m out there, watching a herd of elephants walk by or hearing the call of a weaver bird at sunrise.

Q: What do you hope children take away from your books?

A: I hope they have fun! That’s always the first goal. But beyond that, I want them to feel curious about the world, to ask questions, and to care about the animals and people who share our planet. If Casper’s adventures inspire a child to learn more about pangolins or help protect elephants one day, I’ll be thrilled.

Q: And finally — will Casper ever make it home?

A: Well… you’ll have to read the series to find out! But let’s just say the journey is full of surprises, and Casper is the kind of cat who turns every wrong turn into a new adventure.

Fun Facts About Jennifer

She’s been chased by… a lion, an elephant and a very determined warthog in Botswana. (She let it win.)

She’s directed over 500 productions — and yes, working with animals is harder than working with actors!

She’s sailed around the Mediterranean — three years living on a sailboat gave her plenty of time to dream up adventures for Casper.

Her first readers are often wild — many of her early drafts are “tested” while camping in Africa, surrounded by elephants, baboons, and giraffes.

She’s visited over 50 countries — but says there’s still nothing quite like the African bush at sunset.

Her real‑life inspiration for Casper? Her two cats Boola and Boo.

Secret indulgence: Chocolate. Always chocolate. Preferably while editing.