Beth Stern released a children’s book titled “Coco and Stephen, Together Forever” on May 5, 2026 [1].
The book uses a true story of animal friendship to advocate for shelter adoption. By highlighting the bond between a rescue kitten and a rabbit, Stern aims to motivate people to save animals from shelters rather than purchasing pets.
Stern, who serves as the national spokesperson for North Shore Animal League America, wrote the story based on her own rescue animals. The plot follows the unlikely friendship between a kitten named Coco — also referred to as Coco Melon [2] — and a rabbit named Stephen.
This project marks Stern's third venture into children's literature, following two previous books [3]. She said she only wanted to write again if she felt truly inspired, which happened when she met the two animals.
“People have asked me to write another, but I always said I’d only do it if I felt truly inspired. Then along came a special kitten named Coco Melon and a rabbit named Stephen,” Stern said [3].
During an appearance on The Daily Show, Stern said the systemic impact of adopting from a shelter is significant. She said that the act of adoption creates a cycle of rescue that benefits multiple animals.
“If you’re looking to expand your family, go to your local shelters – you’re saving two lives, the one you adopt and the one that gets a space to be rescued,” Stern said [4].
Stern also said in a separate interview that adopting a pet not only saves that specific animal, but it opens up space for another to be rescued [1].
““If you’re looking to expand your family, go to your local shelters – you’re saving two lives.””
The release of this book leverages celebrity influence to address the ongoing capacity issues in U.S. animal shelters. By framing adoption as a way to save two lives—the animal adopted and the one who fills the vacated spot—Stern is promoting a 'multiplier effect' strategy to reduce shelter overcrowding and increase rescue rates.
