Frecko the Gecko

Publishing April 21st, 2026 | Hardcover | 30 pages

Frecko was different in one special way: He longed to go places far, far away.

Frecko the gecko lived in Mexico with lots of other geckos. He ate yummy insects and scaled big walls like everyone else, but Frecko dreamed of more. His heart yearned to travel to faraway places and explore the unknown. One day, Frecko took a leap of faith and hitched a ride in a tourist’s luggage. He sat in the dark and imagined where he would go—perhaps another warm place or somewhere with snow? After climbing into a cozy coat pocket, Frecko found himself gliding across a sparkling white landscape, surrounded by towering peaks! Where would Frecko end up on his first big adventure?

In this heartwarming story, inspired by the author’s real-life experience of finding a gecko in her luggage, readers will learn that bravery and dedication can make their dreams come true.

About the Author

Lori Kaluza lives in Louisville, Colorado, a short walk from her two granddaughters. She spent sixteen years as a first-grade teacher in the Denver Public School system before transitioning into a teacher coach. After retiring from public education, she served as an adjunct professor in the education program at the University of Northern Colorado for eight years.

Frecko the Gecko was inspired by a true story. After a trip to Mexico, Lori noticed the silhouette of a gecko on her window one night. Though her family was skeptical, she maintained that the house was unusually bug-free. Over a year after the trip, she discovered the gecko again while spring cleaning. A gecko had, in fact, stowed away in her luggage. At that moment, she just knew his story needed to be told.

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