A happy text message warmed my heart in the early morning.
Our niece Rebecca sent us a photo of her youngest son Henry.
He was all wrapped up in Bentari and under the spell of the African forest at dawn.
This is Rebecca’s message:
"Henry just told me that Bentari’s Dad went on a hunt and he hasn't seen him for a long time and that's sad."
Henry called me later and said, “Hi, Uncle Tim! I really like your story about Bentari. It’s really cool. Are you going to write more stories about Bentari?”
“Well, I am trying, Henry,” I answered, “I’m doing my best.” I told Henry how happy I am that he likes the story, and we chatted about it for a while. After I thanked Henry for calling me and welcomed him to call again at any time, I told Rebecca that there are bits of further tales already on my website, like the one about “Bentari and the Hedgehog.”[1]
Henry is an animal lover devoted to their dog Tucker. And Henry is a climber. He is in his realm when scaling anything and everything that he can reach around or grasp or span with his arms and legs.
Animals and climbing are two of the biggest fascinations for Bentari, who happens to be the same age as my grand-nephew Henry. And, at only seven, they are both clever beyond their years.
Henry will love the adventures of Bentari, Rebecca. But keep a mother’s watch when you see him beginning to succumb to the lure of those tall and irresistible trees.
About: Henry is a “second-grader” in the elementary program at the Lewis and Clark Montessori Charter School in Gresham, Oregon. To our knowledge, Henry is our youngest reader to date. Our oldest readers are Mary Amstad and Walt Aldridge, both of whom enjoyed the excitement in their 90s![2]
Coming Soon: A look at Dakota, Henry’s big brother. He is 8-years old, and, if you want to talk about a reader, Dakota is your boy!
Buy Bentari and Climb!
[1] http://www.bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=1015 and
http://www.bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=1087
[2] http://www.bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=854