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Bonding Across Generations
Caleb’s Adventures with Granddad follows a boy and his grandfather who share a bond built on imagination and play, as they find a way to keep their adventures alive as they grow older. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration comes from my grandchildren, especially Caleb. I’ve written stories that included one or more of them as main characters. For this story, Caleb and I talked about our relationship while on a trip we took together. He is very close to me and comes to me when he needs advice or just talk about life. As a result of our closeness, we reminisced about the times he spent with me growing up. This included making up adventures in the backyard (although perhaps not as elaborate as the ones in the book).
I loved the bond that Caleb shared with his grandfather, showing that just because we get older doesn’t mean we have to grow apart and forget the things we love. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to convey the importance a grandparent’s role in grandchildren’s lives because not many people really see that importance today, let alone explore the love between the generations. The dynamics of the nuclear family has changed so much since I was a boy when we spent time with the older relatives. It is sad because young people don’t have that strong connection like we did.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scenes that show the different imaginative adventures Granddad provides for Caleb. It shows the love between the two. Also, the end with how Caleb reciprocates with a BIG surprise for his Granddad.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This isn’t a book for a series, but with that said, I do have an idea for a story tentatively called “Granddad’s Treasures” that will include Caleb, his siblings, and his cousins. But this one will be completed within the next few years. My next book that’s coming out this fall is called “Kyle and His Pal Jake – What a Duo these Two Make!” Also, I currently have a story that’s in the editing stage. It’s called “Can We Get A Giraffe?”
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Filled with vivid illustrations and a heartwarming story for readers of all ages, Caleb’s Adventures with Granddad reminds us that no one is ever too old to go on another adventure!
Caleb’s Adventures with Granddad
Caleb’s Adventures with Granddad is a heartfelt children’s book about a boy and his grandfather who share an unshakable bond built on imagination and play. Together they fight dragons, sail the seas as pirates, and even tour the world as rock stars, all from the safety of a backyard. As Caleb grows older, the adventures fade, and Granddad is left behind, eventually moving into a nursing home after an accident. But Caleb finds a way to rekindle their shared joy, turning make-believe into reality by taking Granddad on real adventures across the globe. The story closes with them recording their memories in a book of their own, making their bond timeless.
Reading this book tugged at my heartstrings. The writing is simple yet tender, and it captures the wonder of a child’s imagination as well as the ache of growing apart from someone you love. I felt a deep nostalgia while turning the pages, remembering times when play felt endless and the people I adored seemed larger than life. At the same time, the sadness of watching Caleb drift away from his grandfather hit hard. It mirrored the truth that children grow and priorities shift, but the longing for connection never really goes away.
I especially loved the turn the story takes when Caleb chooses to bring joy back into his grandfather’s life. That moment when he finds the list of unfinished adventures and decides to make them real is powerful. It shows the kind of love that acts, not just remembers. The emotional shift from imagination to reality made me smile and tear up at the same time. The illustrations are as vibrant and filled with life as the story is. Every page contains details that bring the story to life.
I’d recommend this children’s book to families who want to share something both playful and touching with their children. It’s perfect for kids who still live in the world of pretend, and it’s equally powerful for grandparents who might see themselves in Granddad. Honestly, it’s a story that bridges generations, reminding us that adventure is never out of reach when it’s shared with love.
Pages: 46 | ASIN : B0839QC3S1
Career in Education
Can We Get a Rhinoceros? follows a young boy with an active imagination who wants to convince his mom to get him an unusual pet while she tries to be more practical. What inspired your story?
I retired from a career in education (teacher and administrator) but have substituted in retirement. While working in a long-term second-grade assignment, the kids were working on animal projects. They chose some of the more interesting animals, and one student said he told his mom he wanted an elephant.
Your characters are wonderfully emotive and relatable. Were you able to use anything from your own life to inform their character development?
Most definitely. I grew up in farm and dairy country, and we had animals (chickens, goats, cows, show Herefords). I was a precocious child and wanted a penguin (we had been reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins in class). My mom asked pretty much the same questions that the mom in this book did.
I loved the discussion between the mother and son about the pros and cons of a rhinoceros. What was your favorite scene in this story?
That’s a little difficult to answer because I had so much fun with this story. If I had to choose one, I would say the conclusion because I didn’t have an ending until I read it to my second graders, and one of the students said he had a dog that he dressed up for Halloween.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Actually, I have several stories I am working on and not sure which will be the next book in the Chris Kueng Library Collection. I have several stories in progress. When I tire of working on one story or get “stuck,” I go to work on another story. Fortunately, I have flow maps that plot out the stories. This makes it easier to overcome writer’s block. The books I have been working on are:
1. Granddad’s Treasures
2. Honey, the Sleeping Beauty Bee
3. Can We Get a Giraffe?
4. Winston and Cooper
5. The Principal Wore Polka Dots
My goal is to have a book out every one to two years.
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Where would you keep it?
Where would you keep its food? And
How would you get rid of all the poo he poops?
Then, if not a rhinoceros, how about a whale? a tiger? Or even a blue-footed booby? Mom finally makes a suggestion for a more suitable pet. What could it possibly be?
LITERARY TITAN 