Review: Lucy and Chester's Amazing Adventures by G. Brian Benson

LUCY AND CHESTER'S AMAZING ADVENTURES!

by G. Brian Benson

Illustrated by Paul Hernandez

Picture Book

38 pages

ages 4 and up

Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure around the world and into the stars? Readers of all ages will be enchanted as they find themselves swept away with Lucy and her very best friend Chester on their exciting adventures! Open your wings, become inspired and let your creativity soar on this fun rhyming journey that teaches young readers the importance of imagination.

 MY TIDBITS

This is a picture book for those young adventurers out there, who are ready to shoot off to the farthest lands and explore the most amazing places.

Lucy with a great imagination, who's ready for adventure. With her best friend, her stuffed bunny Chester, in tow, she rides on fantasy's wings and heads off to explore the world (and even farther).

This is a book full of fun, power and curiosity, which allows young listeners to go anywhere there dreams will take them while exploring several wondrous corners of the world and beyond. With the words "Be yourself, be free" in the beginning of the book, the atmosphere is set. This is a book to empower and encourage young listeners/readers to dream and explore.

Lucy is cute and her drive to head out into the world is contagious. Chester, her trusty bunny, adds just the right amount of sweetness to make both simply fun to follow. The text is done in rhymes, which flow fairly nicely, and are easy for young listeners to follow. Different parts of the world introduced—Paris, China, Egypt as well as jungles and much more—letting the diversity of Earth shine. Each visit is very short but just enough to leave an impression before flying off to the next. It's a tempo which keeps the excitement high.

The illustrations are bright and let the energy radiate from every page. Lucy and Chester are having the time of their lives, and this shows on every page. It's hard not to get caught up in their adventurous fever and wish to be able to go with them on their amazing travels.


And here he is. . .

G. Brian Benson, founder of Reawaken Media, is an award-winning author, actor, filmmaker, and inspirational speaker. His mission is to wake up the world with conscious, thought-provoking media that inspires. As a 4x Ironman triathlete, Brian knows the value of hard work and never giving up on his dreams, a message he shares with audiences through each of his creative talents. A parent himself, he understands the importance of creating positive, fun, and empowering literature for children to thrive. Brian lives in Los Angeles, CA where he keeps his gaze skyward.  To discover more please go to www.gbrianbenson.com

Website - 

www.gbrianbenson.com

TEDx Talk-

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=lOXbY8vfaGA

Review: Steve the Alien by G. Brian Benson

STEVE THE ALIEN

by G. Brian Benson

Illustrated by Paul Hernandez

Picture Book

ages 4+

In this fun and empowering rhyming children's book, Zeke encounters more than he bargains for while walking to school when a lovable space alien named Steve unexpectedly visits him on Earth while on a grand scavenger hunt through outer space! Young readers will enjoy this fun rhyming journey that teaches them the importance of sharing and to be accepting of new friends.

MY TIDBITS

Imagination takes flight in this colorful picture book for kids ages three and up.

Zeke, a young boy, has quite the adventure while trudging through deep snow. What he believes to be a rock shooting through the sky turns out to be a spaceship. Inside, is a perky little alien named Steve. And this alien has a strange request.

The title and cover on this one really grabbed my interest and that of my son. An alien named Steve?-The idea demands a smile.

Four lines of rhymed text accompany a large illustration, creating a reader friendly layout, especially when used as  a read aloud. The wording is fitting to the age group and is peppered with little bits of humorous banter along the way. The rhyming flows well, although it overpowered the story at times and might have been better without. Still, it's fun to read with quirky moments which left my son giggling. The ending had us both wishing to shoot off into the stars with the cute alien but left behind a little emptiness as if a last bit of the adventure was still missing instead. Perhaps, that's not the end of Steve, though.

The illustrations go nicely with the story, bringing the whole thing to life. They are simple but still hold enough hold enough detail to invite young readers to flip through them again and again. Epecially Steve comes across nicely and is an alien to hug.

There are several messages hidden in the story, but they never come across forced or preachy. Rather, they flow with the plot as a gentle whisper.

Summed up, this is a cute picture book with a fun alien and is sure to make a good read aloud to float away to star-filled dreams.




Here he is. . .

G. Brian Benson, founder of Reawaken Media, is an award-winning author, actor, filmmaker, and inspirational speaker. His mission is to wake up the world with conscious, thought-provoking media that inspires. As a 4x Ironman triathlete, Brian knows the value of hard work and never giving up on his dreams, a message he shares with audiences through each of his creative talents. A parent himself, he understands the importance of creating positive, fun, and empowering literature for children to thrive. Brian lives in Los Angeles, CA where he keeps his gaze skyward.  To discover more please go to www.gbrianbenson.com

Other Links

Website - 

www.gbrianbenson.com

TEDx Talk-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOXbY8vfaGA