About the Characters
Meet Annabelle and her colorful friends, the CoGLo Amigos – stars of a joyful early learning program created by South Carolina author Rhonda Atkins Leonard! This vibrant series features engaging animations, teacher-friendly lesson plans, and interactive activity books, all designed to make kindergarten readiness enjoyable, hands-on, and meaningful.
Perfect for both classrooms and families, our program inspires young learners to develop essential skills while exploring stories, songs, and engaging in creative play. Join the adventure where learning comes to life, and every child is prepared to shine in kindergarten!
“My child loves his Annabelle book. Ever since we brought it home, we read it every night.”
Parent from the Pilot Study
About the Author
Rhonda was born in Spartanburg County, where she still resides with her husband, one dog, and many cats. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and graduated with the hope of one day taking watercolor lessons.
That day finally arrived in 2001, marking the beginning of her watercolor journey! Painting became a source of energy for Rhonda after discovering six photos from a friend’s African safari photo album. The animals from those photos transformed into characters: Annabelle the Giraffe, Leonard the Lion, Mingo Rose the Elephant, Rico the Cheetah, Gazzie the Gazelle, and Glory the Zebra. Together, they form the CoGLo Amigos, six great friends united by their motto: “Always Be Your Best!”
With time, creativity, and a strong support team, Rhonda has published fifteen books designed for early childhood education. The South Carolina State Department of Education has honored the CoGLo Amigos as the top recipient of the Innovation Grant program for three consecutive years. These awards have placed over 400,000 books into the hands of young readers in First Steps programs and 4K and K5 classrooms.
A recording studio is currently under construction, bringing the CoGLo Amigos to life!
