Who does Me = in each book? Is President Barack Obama in the book?

With so many interesting people in these stories, it is difficult to see who the Me will be in each one for my kids before reading the books.  In the case of Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite, it is up to the reader to decide since the story has several different branches and we get to meet the son of Paul Bunyan.  I could tell you who I thing deserves the Me, but in most cases my opinion will not count. My daughters both came up with a different answer than my two boys.

They loved the book, especially after visiting Yosemite so many times they could feel and remember the places we visit and at one point the smells even came to their mind.  I am anxious to hear back from their friends who have never been to Yosemite to find out how they pictured the park and places we visit in the book.

I have included the visit of President Barack Obama without mentioning his actual name for legal purposes.  I don't want to worry about hiring a full-time lawyer when now, I have already invested over a year and thousands of savings into this without making a penny.

I have been in touch with people who currently work for the 44th President.  They assure me that he would be thrilled to be part of this book, but that still does not convince me to put his name in this.

The Personality of the President visiting Yosemite in my book, is the best I could do to match President Obama.  Last year I spoke to people who were there, and I have watched countless videos of people who recorded him during his visit.
The only difference in this story is that his visit surrounds the damage Babe the big blue Ox (Paul Bunyan's Bull) caused to the Hetch Hetchy dam.

Climate change is not mentioned directly since it is the outline of our next three stories as they chase Kokopelli all over the National Parks of the West.

The art and concept, I created myself with the help of a water color specialist who gave it a more professional touch with the face details and colors.

Back to the who is Me in John Henry and Me in the Grand Canyon, is still up in the air right now.  The story is in its initial stages, and it will become obvious that President Obama is a very close friend to John Henry.  That does not me I will bring him back, but I have been asked this on my website.

The basket in the picture has a big part with time that can contain Kokopelli, so Post Presidency President Barack Obama might just have a chance.  I doubt he will ever read it or even get around to approving the use of his name, but it would be fun to include.

My family is mixed both Democrat and Republican, some who are Mormon and other who are not.  I prefer to vote on issues that matter to me, and issues I understand.  I vote for people who I think I can trust, not because I know them but because it is the best I can do with the information I am given.

I was raised in foster families my entire life.  I went to school with people who shaped who I am more than the foster parents or families that said good night to me each night.

I look for an example in people.  I don't read other people’s opinions who meet the leaders I vote for.  I watch how they are with the people who are around them.
I see how they treat family, I see how they treat the people next to them.  I really wish I could see how they treat people when the cameras are off, but in most cases, we can’t.

President Barack Obama is a people person.  He plays with kids.  He rolls up his sleeves to sit in the dirt and take a picture with them.  He thinks about their feelings as he passes out gifts.  Sure, it is great if the First Lady hands it to you, but if it was first in the hands of the President (no matter what President) it is gold.  I could be a pine cone and a kid would cherish it as gold.

In the personal videos, I have seen of the President, he cares.  He knows that each child needs to see it come from him, so he goes the extra mile and gets more so that each child can have one.

No, I don't worship him, I just look for greatness in people. Like the Disney movie Monsters, the world is thriving on the fear and screams of pain. I think if we focused on the good and feeding off service and the good in people, the tables would turn.

The zombie explosion of movies is the fruit of madness and selfishness in the world.  What if a virus caused you to sprout roots and turn into a tree instead and if your heart was pure (leaning towards Mother Nature) you were left alone. If your heart pure evil, then you sprouted thorns and became a brier patch.
Enough for today.  Happy restful Sunday to any who even read this blog.

Paul Bunyan in Yosemite Available upon request

Our first book is in the final editing stages and if you would like to take part, I can email a PDF for review.  I have two ladies who do my final editing after a group of my children's friends help me find any possible plot holes.  We are waiting for a Library of Congress Number and the unedited version has been uploaded into the copyright database, and will be replaced as soon as the editing is complete. We are expecting the final edits to be complete April 1, and we will have the book available for purchase April 5.

In a world that is changing every day change is not hard to find!

In a world that is changing every day

how can we stop and stay one way?Get up and get running or you’ll be left far behind,because like it or not,

change is not hard to find!

Around the World in 80 Displays  - Derek Ryan Jensen

Native American Culture can enrich our Nation

It is the fabric that ties us together. We see it everywhere we go and in everything we do.


The BIGGEST example of Native American Culture in our Nation is the vision of the world and our connection and feelings for Mother Nature.


Could you imagine life without seeing our planet as our Mother? Giving us life, all that we need and all that we have.


This series of books I have created for my children and hopefully for others to enjoy is all surrounding a basket, made by a basket maker who inspired me long ago as a child.


Her gringo given name was Lucy Parker Telles. Her true Native American name was Pamahas, meaning "meadows" and I use this name as the main Ranger in Paul Bunyan and Me in Yosemite.


I remember the sadness I felt as I learned of the eviction of Native Americans from Yosemite. I remember the tears in my Grandmothers eyes as she told me the story of Lucy Telles pulling fish from the river to sell to the tourists.


The same tourists who would purchase baskets she and other Natives would make for pennies on the dollar. Baskets that would later sell for hundreds and thousands of dollars.


If you look closely at this amazing culture who is also our host in this beautiful country, you will realize that this basket in my story has great symbolic meaning as Kokopelli comes out after John Henry earns her confidence.

Final Art is finished for John Henry & Me in the Grand Canyon

I love the final art for John Henry & Me in the Grand Canyon.
At first I was looking for a beautiful waterfall scene, then I realized that it would only distract the kids from John Henry and Kokopelli who are the plot in this amazing story that will be available in May 2017.

I think it is going to be just as good or even better than Paul Bunyan and Me in Yosemite.

John Henry & Kokopelli at Grand Canyon

I am excited for the outcome.

John Henry & Me in the Grand Canyon Art is Beautiful

John Henry is looking handsome for our double project. He will capture Kokopelli after leaving Yosemite with Lucas and Lucy. This art is nothing like the treasure that is going to be on the cover of the second book ready in May.  

This is only a taste of what John Henry is going to look like and where the story may lead. 

Kokopelli is introduced in this story and feared at first, but the twist that comes later is beautiful and heartwarming just like the first books, Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite and The tiny Life of Lucas Fern.  They are all connected in a way. 

John Henry and Kokopelli at Havasu Falls Grand Canyon

Super fun Yosemite and more videos Subscribe today!!

We have had a blast uploading old videos to YouTube this afternoon. Come and see what we are talking about.

Tons of fun Yosemite Videos.  Take a look. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of them. 

Who is Paul Jr's Mom?

Bébinn is "a beautiful Irish giantess mother of Paul Jr. in the Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite story. She is also in many others stories to come.

She lives hidden in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and sent her new born son to Paul Bunyan for protection.   

Expecting Paul Jr. to become a Giant like she was the only person she could trust was Paul Bunyan.

Paul was retired and it was a difficult challenge to raise a normal size child. Ranger Pamahas in Yosemite (we call her Ranger Pam) was made aware of the Paul Jr. after she became friends with Paul Bunyan.

Ranger Pam became a second foster parent to Paul Jr. sending him to school with the other kids of Park Rangers in Yosemite.

Ranger Pan is the grandchild of a Yosemite Native Lucy the famous basket weaver. 

Bébinn will have her own story in one of our later books that takes place in Wicklow Mountain National Park in Ireland.  

This will not include Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates

The Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates are a very heated exchange between good people on both sides.  

The dam is damaged in "Paul Bunyan and Me in Yosemite" and almost destroyed, but it is not a move to prove how or that one side wins over the other. 

It is only to show how damaging a bull headed move can be (when babe the bull or ox rams and destroys it) after Paul tries to convince him of the danger of not thinking it through. 

Babe only remembers the beauty and his old friends who lived in the valley before, not realizing the suffering his actions may cause. 

A simple lesson that is not political, but meant to teach the kids the importance of thinking about both sides of each argument and to think before acting.  

Adults can also see an opportunity to teach children their own point of view no matter what side they lean towards.  Hopefully this clears up any confusion about my intentions in the book.  

Kids everywhere are going to love it. We look through the eyes or lives of trees, and animals who live in Yosemite.  

How Climate changes our world, or how they feel about our trash and we work out ways to understand the dangers of speeding and many other issues I notice over the many years visiting the National Parks.  You hardly notice. Not preachy.

Not a boring tree hugging book that will put your kids to sleep, as much as it is a fun for kids + education looking through other point of views, while trying to hold on to for dear life as Paul Bunyan jumps hundreds of feet below after placing you in his shirt pocket.

Leading into a battle in book two with Kokopelli who is causing havoc and is angry with people.

Kokopelli art is coming

We discover a way to contain him with a basket weaved by a famous Yosemite basket weaver.

Lucy Telles

It will be a fun filled book loaded with a punch in the right direction for this new generation who needs to understand how our planet works. 

We need no encourage them to get out of the house and feel the world around them. 

It is great to see it on TV, but even better to get out and sleep in it, breath it, taste the springs water and swim in the lakes. 

It is hard to love a world from a still or moving picture.  Just as it is hard to love a food you never tasted. 

  

I look forward to feedback once the book has been read, and we will include any important ideas in our future Series.  I am leaving editing open for "John Henry in the Grand Canyon" until I can have a little feedback from "Paul Bunyan in Yosemite."  

 

Final art is finished Paul Bunyan & Me inYosemite

This video posted in Kickstarter will show the full picture in a cheesy slideshow.  Enjoy. Don't laugh too hard.  It was a very low budget film. We added the Yosemite Chapel in the art as you can see below. Click on any picture.

Yosemite Chapel

Paul Bunyan & Me Chapel

We have set a big goal, but with Paul Bunyan on our side. Who knows!! 

Innovative children's books. 

Paul Bunyan in The Jr Ranger Adventures

The Jr Ranger Adventures books are my way of motivating families to go camping and read more, ending with fun facts and puzzles.

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite T-Shirt Campaign

Here is my Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite T-Shirt Campaign.  Shirts available in many colors. It is a fun way to promote the book and have a great souvenir to match.  

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite T-Shirt Back Side

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite T-Shirt Front Side

New store for The tiny Life of Lucas Fern

After the initial release of The tiny Life of Lucas Fern, we had some great feedback from friends about the editing and a few minor missing details.  In's and Out's of self publishing. We have them all updated now and it is back for sale in almost every online store in the USA, England and Europe. My personal store is attached to the picture.  Just click on the picture ans it will take you to my online store where Amazon will fulfill your order.  Thank you for your support.  It is a very new and educational story and the very beginning story that leads to Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite.

The tiny Life of Lucas Fern

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite in Color

Still not done with the art or the cover, but we will finish tonight. Adding the Chapel and a lighter sky so it does not feel like night swimming. 

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite

The 16th is coming faster and faster. We are excited.  I would have loved a book like this when I went camping as a kid.  

New artwork for the Jr Ranger Adventures

I am excited about our new artwork created for The Jr Ranger Adventures. 

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite has two covers now.  

One is still with Lucy petting Elmer the baby bear I will use.  My next one is a special edition I am going to use on t-shirts and other promotional goods.  

It is awesome as you can see.  I am making one change to the drawing that will make Paul Bunyan a little more modest by closing his legs.  I still love these two concepts shown below.

I will use the top one to modify and use for my main cover. It will be ready tomorrow. 

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite  by Derek Ryan Jensen 

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite  by Derek Ryan Jensen

Keep in touch for the next update. 

The Author Derek Ryan Jensen and this Blog was prepared or accomplished by approval of Derek Ryan Jensen in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in these articles are the author's own and do not reflect the view of the National Park Service, The Jr Ranger Program or any other Department in the United States government. Neither do they reflect any resemblance to work done by any other major Corporation including Publishers and The Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks, or any other related Corporation who may have created similar works about folk heroes and or National Parks.