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Ben & his Friends

by John J. Longos and Illustrated by Vanessa Knight

28 pages; Saddle stitched; illustrated; catalogue #04-2157; ISBN 1-4120-4349-2; US$15.50, C$18.00, EUR12.50, £9.00

This heart-warming children's story teaches about discrimination and friendship. A young wolf, Ben, wants to play with other animals. However, no one likes wolves. So how can Ben make friends?

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

This heart-warming children's story is full of rhymes and teaches about discrimination and friendship. It is about a young wolf, named Ben, who goes into the forest one day to make friends. But Ben has a problem - no one likes wolves. So how can Ben make friends?

Ben is actually a nice wolf, and just like any other youngster, he wants to play. However, since wolves are thought of as mean and dangerous, the other animals jeer and chase Ben away without really knowing him. Ben is left feeling sad and alone. Ultimately, Ben is faced with a challenge - either help one of the animals despite being treated poorly by him, or treat him, as he treated Ben, and get "justice" and revenge. Will Ben's actions lead to friendship?

Both children and adults will enjoy reading this story. Ben & his Friends is fun-reading, full of rhymes, awesome illustrations, and has a message of morals. It is a lesson on treating people fairly and gaining friendship and peace. Also, one learns that "getting even" (although it may seem fair) isn't always the right thing to do. For if one chooses revenge, how can one ever gain the friendship of his enemies and lead a life of happiness and peace with them?

Moreover, readers will discover Ben & his Friends can be read as an allegory, also. Ben represents a victim of discrimination. The other animals symbolize discriminators or can represent individuals who are strongly partial to their own beliefs or group and are intolerant of those who differ, e.g., perhaps harsh words, but bigots or extremists. The gnome symbolizes a wise figurehead. Unfortunately, most, if not all of us, have either felt excluded like Ben or acted like the other animals at some point in time or know others who have been involved in either situation and can relate such a story of reality to our children.

In essence, this is the author's first book (and perhaps last). It is the author's hope that readers will enjoy the story and its message and that it puts a smile on their faces and gives them a laugh or two. The author had fun with the book and hopes you do too.

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About the Author

John Longos is a resident of Edwardsville, IL. He was born and raised in Granite City, IL, where his parents still live. Although over 40 and single, he has a close Greek-American family consisting of parents, a brother, two sisters, brother-in-laws, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, and a papou.

John is an attorney who primarily practices asbestos litigation and represents individuals suffering and dying from asbestos-related diseases. Recently, he opened his own law practice, Longos Law Firm, P.C., located in Glen Carbon, Illinois. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and St. Louis University Law School.

John was a Sunday School teacher and catechist for fifteen years and currently attends St. Cecilia's Catholic Church. John enjoys being with his family, golf, sports and Disney. Ben & his Friends is his first book and hopes you enjoy it.

Also, John wishes to extend his thankfulness to Jesus Christ for His inspiration. Additionally, John thanks his illustrator, Vanessa Knight, for her illustrations and input and making the characters come to life.

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Excerpts

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Catalogue Information

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