NORWICH - The auditorium of the Marion Cross School was transformed into the jungles of San Xavier, Central America, a fictional Mayan world, for the evening last Friday. The tour guides for the event were Jon and Pamela Voelkel, also known as J&P's Jungle Tours.

The Voelkels made their first public appearance Friday supporting their first book, "The Jaguar Stones: Book One, Middleworld," at the Marion Cross School and in thanks of the support they received from the Norwich Bookstore.

The event featured an advance sale of the book, as well as background information on the book, and a reading from the book by Jon Voelkel. An ancient Mayan king appeared at the end of the evening. The costume, Jon Voelkel said, was created by his niece, who did costuming for a circus while in college.

Jon and Pamela Voelkel moved to Norwich four and a half years ago from London, England. The two owned a marketing agency, and wanted to find some place where they could slow down and enjoy their children, now ages 14, 10 and 4. Jon said he had family in Arizona, and Pamela had family in London, so New England would be central.

The 400-page book is geared toward children ages 10 to 14, but is a "great read for adults as well," Jon Voelkel said.

The idea came when Jon Voelkel thought about writing a marketing book. Once he sat down to do the work, he realized that it would be too boring to spend the next year working. He decided to take some of the bedtime stories he used to make up for their children and turn one into a novel. He said the book became more elaborate and they incorporated a lot of factual information about the Mayan people of Central America.

Voelkel added that at the end of the book is a "very meaty glossary and appendix." He also feels that the book is a "great education piece," as well as a good place for classwork on this subject on the Mayan people and culture, to begin.

The pair will tour middle schools in the area as well as visiting the New England Independent Booksellers Association trade who in Providence, R.I., later this month.

The official release of the book will take place over Columbus Day Weekend at the Barnes and Noble store in Lincoln Center in New York City.