Ben's Adventures

Brennen and I received a beautiful book recently about a little boy named Ben.

Benjamin Robert Gerlach loved being outside with the sun in his face and the wind in his hair. He was a triplet, brother, son, friend, student and church-goer. He was also a young boy living with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. But this didn't define him. He loved lights, toys, movement, noises, his preschool class, his brother and sister, and his mommy and daddy.

He had many challenges in his short life but lived every day with a smile on his face. After a two-year fight with multiple respiratory illnesses, Ben lost his battle on May 2, 2016. This book is dedicated to Benjamin and shows that everyone can have an adventure. And despite medical and physical differences, all kids can play and dream.

Ben's mom, Elizabeth wrote this beautiful book in memory of her son. She was inspired to develop the Ben's Adventures series as a tribute to her son, allowing him to live on and share that even though his short life was a struggle, he was a little boy first.. with friends, dreams, and a love for his family and his life.

In spring 2017, Elizabeth launched the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation to spread Ben’s story, his smile, and to support their community through gifts and acts of service. Ben Smiles is dedicated to enhancing the playing, learning and living of special needs kids and their families by gifting toys and other important devices to children like her son Ben.

A portion of the proceeds from book sales will support Ben Smiles' mission. 

Elizabeth believes that things happen for a reason, and this was meant to be their story.

"I can't walk. I can't talk. But that's okay! I use my imagination every day."

Brennen and I love reading this book together because it is not often that we get to see characters portrayed in stories that have abilities similar to his. We love how Ben uses his imagination to take him on all sorts of fun adventures, and I like to hope that this is what Brennen does as well. While we try to do lots of fun things together as a family, I am sure that Brennen also imagines himself floating through the clouds, or running on a beach and building sandcastles. That's just what kids do! Their imaginations are limitless and getting swept up in their thoughts and dreams is possibly the best thing that can happen to a little brain.

Elizabeth, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Benjamin, and I know that nothing can take away the pain of that loss, but you are doing incredible things to keep his memory alive and you are having a lasting impact on families with children like ours. Thank you for sharing your boy with us. Thank you for showing me the power of imagination. I am both inspired and challenged to embrace this ever complex life and to encourage my own child's imagination in every way I can. 

Read more about Ben's Adventures and purchase your own copy of the book HERE!

The Wondrous World of Brennen

"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book." - Dr. Seuss

There is a special place in my heart for quality children's books, and one of our most favourite gifts this Christmas was a book that Andrew and I ordered for Brennen from Wondrous Ink.

Wondrous Ink makes the most beautifully illustrated personalized children’s books, where the letters in the child's name become part of the adventure. The company was started by Mike and Angelica Brittain, a husband and wife team with a real passion for bringing back the magic of books and engaging children through learning and reading.

The inspiring story-line uses each letter of the child's name to show them why they are so special and unique in the world. Along the way, they help a host of colourful characters in different ways, discovering something new about themselves with each interaction, until at the end they realize that those qualities actually spell out their very own name!

"One day a boy came home from school and said to his busy mother, "There are millions of people, we learned today, and each one different from the other. Out of all the boys in all of the world, not one is exactly like me. So what makes me different from everyone else?" the boy asked curiously."

You can also include a special message to your child, which is printed on the inside cover for no additional charge.

I have high standards when it comes to quality and durability in printed products, and Wonderous Ink really delivered. Each book is printed on high quality, thick paper and wrapped in bright fun packaging, perfect for gifting!

By integrating a young reader in any book, you are engaging them in a new way and igniting their imagination. Putting your child at the centre of the story creates a timeless keepsake packed full of magic! This is a book that our family will treasure for years to come.

We have a large collection of children's books downstairs for the little ones in our daycare - accessible shelves stocked with board books and hardcover picture books, sturdy enough to weather the wear and tear of their curious little fingers. This book, however, will have a special place in Brennen's room, it's words beautifully preserved on his nightstand, among the gifts and treasures and all of the other little things in his space that say "You are loved".

You can preview what your book will look like before you purchase. Try yours HERE!

To save 15% on your first Wonderous Ink order, use my referral link!