Category: Member News

NEW! Children’s book “The Most Excellent Adventures of Bang and Clang” by Hector M Rodriguez- Where mistakes become lessons, brothers become heroes, and young readers discover that growing up is the greatest adventure of all, releases July 17th, 2026.

In the heart of Whispering Woods, two raccoon brothers are learning what it means to grow up— one mistake, one adventure, and one hard-won lesson at a time. The Most Excellent Adventures of Bang and Clang is a twelve-story collection combining the timeless charm of Frog and Toad with the moral depth of classic fables. Perfect for chapter book readers ages 5-11, each story stands alone while building toward a rich narrative about community, growth, and character.

Clang, the thoughtful older brother with a silver eye patch, balances Bang’s impulsive nature (and kinked tail that matches his personality). Together, they’re the perfect comic duo and teaching team, learning through authentic mistakes in Whispering Woods—a living community where individual choices ripple outward. Recurring characters like wise Elder Badger, little Magnolia, and friend Petunia create a world children want to return to again and again. Each tale tackles one fundamental value through real dilemmas with genuine consequences:
The Cookie Jar Mystery begins with temptation and a broken promise, teaching trustworthiness when the brothers must choose between hiding the truth or facing it.

By The Winter Pantry, stakes intensify. With 116 acorns stored for winter and a starving mouse family begging for help, the brothers risk their own survival by sharing 35 acorns—sparking a community-wide movement of generosity.
In The Burning Forest, three-year-old Magnolia is trapped in her home during a wildfire. Despite Elder Badger’s warning “”Don’t try to be heroes,”” the brothers are the only ones who can save her. The breathless rescue—racing through flames, escaping in a rolling log—shows that real bravery includes being terrified the entire time.

The final story, The Ancient Oak, reveals how the massive tree providing all the forest’s water connects everything. When the brothers carelessly damage its sacred carvings, they learn that reverence—respect for what sustains us—makes every other virtue meaningful.

What make this series special is the layered storytelling: five-year-olds enjoy humor and action; ten-year-olds appreciate moral complexity; parents value character education seamlessly woven into compelling narratives. The stories reflect real consequences: When the brothers sneak out at night, they face two weeks of restrictions and must apologize to everyone. When they’re rude at the festival, they spend hours repairing what they broke—both the centerpiece and the relationships. Each story in intertwined and builds growth: Each story references previous adventures. The Helping Paws Brigade formed after a storm becomes how they serve their community throughout the series. Children see how one good choice creates opportunities for more.

Each story reflects emotional authenticity: Bang says “”being honest feels better than any cookie could taste”” only after readers watch him struggle with that choice. Fear after bravery, doubt after generosity—these brothers feel real. Children aren’t looking for perfect role models—they’re looking for characters who mess up, struggle, learn, and try again. Clang and Bang model something essential: how to make things right. As they reflect at series’ end: “”It all connects. It always did. We just had to learn to see it.””

This matters because many Families are hungry for stories that bring them together—tales that spark conversations about character and community. The Most Excellent Adventures of Bang and Clang offer something rare: stories children ask to hear again, parents feel good about reading, and teachers confidently use in character education. These stories trust young readers to understand nuance, wrestle with difficult choices, and recognize themselves in two raccoon brothers learning—just like them—how to be good.

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After marinating for 30 years my fantasy novel, The Labyrinth of Melusine, has emerged into the world. It’s a reimagining of a 15th century faery tale: the story of the guardian of a sacred well, who dares to fashion the life she most desires. She marries a human, creates a castle, and a life of abundance. But her children, unschooled in the world of faery, through fear and ignorance, imperil all she has so carefully manifested. A tale of love, betrayal, resilience and self-acceptance mined from the deep reservoirs of myth and magic demanding a labyrinthine journey through the Tarot.

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