Three-year-old Evan in the book Evan and the Skygoats was inspired by Vanessa’s son, Evan Delphinus. The story is based on the family’s true experiences living on a farm in New Mexico and adopting goats. Now ten years old, the real Evan is a sweet and brilliant child who continues to bring much joy into Vanessa’s life after the passing of her daughter, Sky.

Evan especially loves all things science but also enjoys reading, inventing, biking, hiking, playing his cello, composing music and dreaming of travels to National Parks. Evan is a Jr. Ranger, a member of the Sky Velvet Vassar Music Foundation Youth Board and a crew member of the The Children's Hour Radio and Podcast—where you can hear him reviewing books, telling his own jokes and joining in interviewing amazing people like Representative Deb Haaland, singer Ziggy Marley and immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci.  

Evan loves animals and is particularly interested in dolphins, wolves, reptiles and ducks. He enjoys caring for his turtles (when they're not hibernating) and, once upon an earlier time, delighted in playing with the real farm goats, Evening, Ebony and Electra.