TOWN OF UNION – Pierce County local Phil Roberts is creating a series of children’s books based on the lives of his four alpacas. Geno and Vinnie are featured in his first book “Geno and Vinnie Come to America” which is inspired by two alpacas that run free on his property.

Roberts first adopted the alpacas from a friend and kept them in an enclosure in his yard. “After about six months, one day I opened up the gate and Vinnie and Geno came running out of the gate and were running and jumping around and at that moment I went ‘I have to write about this,’” he said.

The book has turned into a series that Roberts has called “The Freedom Series” and will continue to feature his four alpacas.

“They inspired me to do this so I started making up the stories and they all started falling into place,” he said.

Besides Geno and Vinnie, Roberts recently adopted two more alpacas, Sophie and Lily, who will also be featured in future books that Roberts has in the works for the series.

“I’ve worked on this project for about eight years,” Roberts said. “Life happens and gets in the way so it has taken a bit longer. Right now, my daughter’s husband is quadriplegic and our home has been made handicap accessible so that he has a space.”

A Midwest native, Roberts has lived in Pierce County for 37 years. He has always been a business owner (he and wife Mary own Grange Hall Auto on Highway 10) and has decided to take on this new adventure of author. He has a philosophy that he wants to share with his readers.

“I had been working on the concept of ‘be’ for many years and releasing negative energy, so when I say ‘be’ it tells me the world is perfect in that moment just the way it is and it clears you and focuses you,” he said.

This concept of “be” is something he wants to outline in his series and in future books and helps to allow for regrounding and moving forward.

The next book in the series is called “Geno and Vinnie Explore the 50 States” as the journey of the alpacas and their freedom continue.

“I think the coolest thing about the books is that they are real,” said Roberts.

Roberts is hoping to visit schools, teach students about his alpacas and share his series with the community.

The book is available at all major book sellers and online through Amazon. Geno and Vinnie are also on Facebook at “Geno and Vinnie” and will soon have their own website, genoandvinnie. com. The website will feature Geno and Vinnie merchandise and the series.

To learn more about the series and the story behind Geno and Vinnie, you can visit: freedombookseries. com.

Alpacas Geno, Vinnie, Sophie and Lily reside on the Roberts’ rural Plum City property. Their adventures are going to be featured in a book series by Phil Roberts. Photo by Melissa Thorud

Alpacas Geno, Vinnie and Sophie eating together at Phil and Mary Roberts’ rural Plum City property. Photo by Melissa Thorud