• Age: 5 to 10
• Grade: k to 5

This collection of short stories is based on traditional values important to us all—respect, cooperation and kindness. Robert James Challenger's illustrations and tales reveal a world of magical birds, fish and other wildlife who teach readers lessons about life and the world.

Seal shows us why we should not let fear of failing stop us from trying new things. Hummingbird helps us appreciate the beauty in our world. Kingfisher teaches us how to believe in ourselves. Coho learns the rewards of not giving up. Discover why a river's spirit stones are important to Salmon; why we should listen carefully to the message in Wolf's cry, and why Orca tries to turn rocks into grains of sand.

As appealing to parents and teachers as they are to children, Jim Challenger's stories convey beautifully the merits of watching, listening to and respecting our natural world.

Robert James (Jim) Challenger was born in Vancouver in 1953 and lives in Victoria, BC. Jim has spent his life absorbing the stories the Northwest Coast has to offer. A keen observer of the natural behaviour of wildlife, he has developed his own style of artwork that captures the essence of the many creatures that live around him.

Jim is an accomplished artist and stone carver, and has sold his beach-stone and glass carvings to collectors around the world. His highly sought form-line designs capture the shape and movement of his subjects while maintaining the simplicity of flowing lines and shapes. Through his stories and designs, Jim brings a unique perspective to how we can learn from nature’s examples in the world that surrounds us. For more information about the author, visit www.rjchallenger.com.

Robert James Challenger's profile page