Books with author Christopher Gain

The Cousins and Pets take a break at the beach, but, of course, a distant ancient supernova foils their fun. So they must crack a cryptic clue to cure a mad mob of mutant man-crabs – before Hurricane Anus hits -- and THEN escape the robot SHARKs in Area 51. Yep, it's just another Gooneybird week at the beach. -------The Cousin Chronicles is a series of books I am writing for my nine grandchildren, featuring them as characters they suggest for themselves. Each Christmas, they receive a new book as their gift from me. Their adventures vary from time travel to basketball, from escaping vampires to defeating a mythological army of paper elves, from an odyssey through Dreamland to dealing, this year, with interstellar crustaceans.Along the way, I try to gently introduce young readers to things of interest. Greek and Norse mythology. Classical literature. Science. And cultural references from Grandpa's time, way back in the 20th Century. I dare not call the Cousin Chronicles educational, but I would be pleased if, when they learn in science class heavy metals are created in supernovas, for example, they remember they read it in the Cousin Chronicles first.The stories are essentially cartoons in text. The pre-teen to young adult reading level is intended to amuse adults who are reading aloud to young children. The Cousin Chronicles are written for all age groups who enjoy light-hearted reading.Great with waffles. (Elephants find the word "waffles" hilarious. Book 1, page 88.)Chris BotkinDecember 2019

In this captivating story, six-year-old Alyssa finds it hard to cope with her emotions. In her head, they appear like scary monsters, their strength overwhelming her. In these moments, Alyssa sets off on a journey to find the power to conquer those emotions and unwind. Through mindfulness, Alyssa embraces the power she has to control her thoughts and emotions, supporting her social emotional well-being to "Unwind. Up, Up, and Away" into a great day.

"The Curious Incident of the Gooneybird" is a children's fantasy adventure, written as a Christmas present for and about nine cousins (my grandchildren), ages four months through 12 years.Through the cleverness of their pets, nine cousins discover and lay claim to the Gooneybird, a wonderful ship that can fly through the air, and is rumored to have been built by magic dwarfs for the Norse gods in the Time of Legends. The cousins catch wind of a plot to steal the Gooneybird, and proceed to consult the wisest animals and people in the world for their advice.The thief strikes at the worst possible moment, and a dangerous situation is averted by the cousins through humor and time travel.It is child-friendly, but does contain cultural references and oddball humor that will hopefully entertain parents who are reading it to their children. I make no claims that the book is educational, as I am not a child psychologist or any kind of expert in nurturing young impressionable minds. I just hope kids find the story fun.Chris Botkin

In conjunction with the Powerhouse Museum comes this comprehensive guide to Australia's most innovative inventions as well as their amazing creators.Imagine a world without wi-fi, clotheslines, lawnmowers, Vegemite, dual-flush toilets, or even mousetraps. Weird, huh? These are just a few of the many inventions that have been created by clever Australians to solve some of life's difficult problems. Find out about Australia's most ingenious inventions, their creators, and how to turn a bright idea into a useful innovation. Be inspired!

Keeping My Hope, a historical fiction graphic novel written by 14 year old Christopher Huh, talks about the life of a young teenage boy named Ari Kolodiejski, who is caught in the horrors of the Final Solution. Now as a parent and grandparent, he tells his life story to his grandchildren. After surviving the world's most deadliest camp, he hopes to pass on his life legacy to his family. Ari is a strong and courageous teen who must battle for his life throughout the second world war. Ari is forever scarred from his deep past. Despite being kept prisoner at the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp, seeing the untimely death of hundreds, and forced to endure unbearable conditions in lice infested clothing, Ari keeps his friends close and struggles to live. Throughout his stay in the camp, he meets two inmates who both stand along with him, trying to help as often as they can. Friendship and belief is all they have left, in which the Nazis and the war strip away from the trio and ultimately brings the devastating disaster that awaits. When Ari and his two friends are slowing down in a death march during a blizzard and his friend has frostbite, Ari still helps his friend despite an SS guard approaching them with a pistol. He even claims that "carrying Saul was a challenge" (page 149), but does not want to leave him in the snow, knowing the fate his friend would face. He tries to help and aid his fellow camp inmates whenever possible. During at his stay at Auschwitz III, everyone fears one Kapo guard who is known for being a sadist on the prisoners with a rubber truncheon. Ari not only stands up against the Kapo, he even goes to the point of scaring him too. The guard showed "in his eyes...he was confused, maybe even fearful. Almost as if he was the beaten victim" (page 104). No matter what consequences are to come, he always gives his best effort in order to make a situation better. Throwing himself into the line of fire while no one else would is the shocking reality that made those like Ari from ordinary people to heroes. A true friend and strong Samaritan, Ari Kolodiejski is a person who is stuck with the ability to make anyone into being a friend with him. After his liberation of six years of terror, he tries to rebuild his life to replace the one he lost a lifetime ago. With his family's history stored safely in the minds of his grandchildren, he can now preserve his memories for his great-grandchildren and their children to remember. Keeping My Hope is an excellent book, and an even better one with the character of Ari.

10-year-old Leo Wriggly lives with his mum and dad who are Professional Competition Winners.In one particularly lucky week, they win a trip for themselves and a trip for Leo to visit a brand new theme park called Friendly Island. As his parents depart, Leo's Aunt Margo arrives to babysit, but unlike his parents, she is a stickler for fine print and happily sends her nephew to Friendly Island 'where chronically misbehaving children are sent to correct their disgusting habits'. Leo arrives on the island with four other children. At first, it seems like Disneyland, there are dolphin rides and monkey safaris! But there's a catch.Each mealtime, the children are tricked into drinking a potion that transforms them. Harriet, whose habit was to chew her hair, has grown a bird's nest on her head. Felix, the boy who picked his nose, has had his brain fall out. Ricky, who kept swearing, can now only squawk like a parrot. Eden, who stole money from her mother's purse, has hands made of glue. And Leo Wriggly, whose only crime was to swallow gum, must endure blowing massive bubbles out of his butt! Can this young boy save his friends before the island's Komodo dragon eats them all for supper?

Midnight on Fireworks Island is a hilarious yet deep and compelling story of two mischievous boys sent to Rockweiler Academy for boys, the toughest school in the world since Kremlin high, in Moscow back in forty-five. Rockweiler is a jail for kids too young to be in the main prison system. Rockweiler Academy is notoriously evil. There are stories about a mysterious School Master who could read peoples' minds; they say the punishments are so severe, kids beg to be paddled. For those who not only survive Rockweiler but raise to the top and graduate with honors, there is Fireworks Island; a private Island paradise where you fire off your own personal fireworks display every night.

Ogres, Dragons and Elves...in the Old West! When Caedmon James was left at an orphanage by his father, there was only one clue about his mysterious past: Tanglebriar Gulch, the name of his hometown. Taking a rare chance, Caedmon finds his way back home with hopes of discovering who he is. What he finds instead is a magical place filled with mystery and fantastic creatures. Caedmon also uncovers a secret that threatens everything and everyone around him.