Eco-Adventures

Eco-Fantasy: The Genre That Can Inspire Your Child to Save the Planet

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in eco-fantasy and eco-fiction among readers of all ages. These genres combine the elements of fantasy and science fiction with a focus on environmental issues, sustainability, and the impact of human actions on the planet. In this blog post, we will explore what eco-fantasy and eco-fiction are and why you should encourage your children to read them. What is Eco-Fantasy? Eco-fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy that [...]

2023-06-23T18:58:01+00:000 Comments
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The Power of Possibility: How Reading Fantasy and Science Fiction Can Help Your Child Grow

Fantasy and science fiction are more than just genres of entertainment. They can also be a valuable tool for education, as they can help middle-grade children learn about different worlds, ideas, and people. In addition, these genres can also encourage children to use their imaginations and think creatively. In this 3-part series, I explore 10 ways reading fantasy and science fiction will help your middle-grade children grow into happy and well-balanced adults. I have often said [...]

2023-02-17T17:32:38+00:000 Comments
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The Benefits of Reading Fantasy for Young Readers

Fantasy is one of the most widely-read genres of literature, and for good reason. Fantasy offers readers the chance to escape into new and exciting worlds, where anything is possible. For young readers, this can be especially beneficial. Fantasy can help young readers develop their imaginations, increase their empathy, and teach them important life lessons. Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative and supernatural concepts such as dragons, wizards, magic, and [...]

2022-12-10T16:56:38+00:000 Comments
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Research and Resources for Saving Our Rainforests

I recently shared this on my Facebook page: "As I've shared before as an author, sometimes the research proves to be one of the most difficult and even emotionally disturbing parts of the job. This is true even when I'm researching a middle-grade book as I'm doing as I work on Rainforest Shaman, book 5 of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure series. Take for example this report on the massive destruction taking place in the Ecuadorian rainforests [...]

2022-12-29T22:51:59+00:000 Comments
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Rainforest Shaman – My Work in Progress (Book 5 of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure series)

Shortly after returning from my research and personal healing journey from the rainforest of Ecuador, I began my next novel, book 5 of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure series with the working title of Rainforest Shaman. Here are now two scenes showcasing one of the main new characters, Iya. (If you've already read the first scene, just scroll down to the new one, and remember, they are both rough drafts. Still, I would enjoy your feedback on [...]

2022-07-22T23:40:47+00:000 Comments
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Meet the Members of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure Team

@bradonpurposeKids, Join Zak, Ra-Kit the Magic Cat, and Sampson the Flying Dog on their Eco-adventures##kidsread ##kidsfantasy ##lifelongreader ##kidsactivites ##benfife♬ original sound - user4869067526413 Kids and parents, join the Zak Bates Eco-adventure team & receive your free audiobook and ebook of Dominion Over All, book one of the series, by going to my HOME PAGE. Find a complete list of online bookstores where you can pick up the full series by going HERE, or at my personal [...]

2021-08-24T18:58:13+00:000 Comments
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And the Research Fun Continues with Cat Island

Shortly after discovering that my “clan of cats” that will appear in my upcoming novel, Junkyard Dogs, reside in the abandoned Renwick Smallpox Hospital on Kennedy Island, I shared this research with my wife, Ann, who’s always ready to share her own ideas, many of which appear in my stories as well. As I finished sharing my research with her, she added, “And the cats that now live on Kennedy Island migrated from the Island of [...]

2020-12-04T18:30:15+00:000 Comments
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Researching Stories is Fun…Sometimes

I would have to say that as a fiction author I have a love/hate relationship to research or at least a like/dislike one. One thing I dislike about research is that it can be a nearly bottomless pit into which I can lose myself spending far more hours than I want when what I most want to do is just start writing. On the other hand, I very much like it when in the process of [...]

2020-12-04T18:24:51+00:000 Comments
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Call Out for Beta Readers for Ghost Elephant: Book 3 of the Zak Bates Eco-Adventure Series

Let me start by sharing what led me to start the Zak Bates Eco-Adventure Series so you'll understand why this series has such a special place in my heart. My love for reading science fiction and fantasy started the summer before I entered the fourth grade shortly after my widowed mother moved us to Raleigh, North Carolina. It didn't take long before our new neighbor took pity on my harried mom who I was driving crazy [...]

2019-06-01T21:53:49+00:001 Comment
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Ghost Elephant Sample

Falling through the Rabbit Hole Nia Gaines and her parents had been shopping for hours which felt like days to Nia. And to think how excited she’d been when her dad, Edwardo Gaines, had invited her to come with them on what he’d described as a combination family vacation and business trip. When does the vacation part start, Nia, wondered? So far, she’d been dragged along from one antique store to another. Beijing China has sounded [...]

2020-08-28T16:23:22+00:000 Comments
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