Summary:
Despite his idyllic island life, young Bob yearns for a greater sense of
fulfillment. With his guardian, Xena the hummingbird, at his side, Bob sets out
to seek guidance from the wise and happy creatures of the sea.
About the Author:
Brooks Olbrys
As a lifelong student of achievement philosophies, Brooks Olbrys was inspired by his young son to make these philosophies accessible to children. With encouragement from best-selling author and personal development coach Bob Proctor, Brooks created the children's book series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob.
As a lifelong student of achievement philosophies, Brooks Olbrys was inspired by his young son to make these philosophies accessible to children. With encouragement from best-selling author and personal development coach Bob Proctor, Brooks created the children's book series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob.
A graduate of Stanford University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
at Tufts, and the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Brooks is
the founder of Children's Success Unlimited and a managing director at
investment bank Ion Partners. He lives with his wife and son in New York City
and greatly enjoys escapes to the North and South American coastlines.
Kevin Keele (illustrator of A Journey Begins chapter book)
From a young age, Kevin Keele has enjoyed creating artwork in many forms: drawing, oil painting, digital painting, even stained glass. His work has been featured in numerous picture books, magazines, board games, and video games. Though he lives far from any coastlines, he has always been fascinated by the ocean and enjoys illustrating its various creatures.
From a young age, Kevin Keele has enjoyed creating artwork in many forms: drawing, oil painting, digital painting, even stained glass. His work has been featured in numerous picture books, magazines, board games, and video games. Though he lives far from any coastlines, he has always been fascinated by the ocean and enjoys illustrating its various creatures.
Kevin is currently an artist for Disney Interactive Studios. He lives in Utah
with his wife and two sons. They're the caretakers of one grouchy cat, three
chickens, and thousands of Italian honeybees.
Review:
The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob is a chapter book with many different lessons. It is unique because it is a chapter book developed in rhyme. The author takes the reader on a journey of self discovery through its main character, Bob.
Feeling discontent with his life, Bob decides to go off on an adventure into the world to talk with other creatures to see how they live their lives. Soon, his path becomes turbulent because he tries to figure out what his purpose is in life, which then leads to more questions and more creatures to see.
Xena, the hummingbird, helps guide his way but is also the one who fills his mind with doubt and begins to second guess his journey at every turn. She represents the doubt that we feel in our minds that prevents us from pushing ourselves to do better. Doubt can be a very powerful thins.
But Bob lingers on and his first conversation is with a dolphin. The topic is about appreciating life's every moment. Then onto a turtle named, Doc, who departs the wisdom to look inside yourself and find what motivates you, then dive in and go with that goal. In this case, it is obvious that Bob loves the sea and all of its creatures so wants to be a marine biologist.
But of course to become a marine biologist one must develop a vision and follow it through. But we all know that it's not easy to do. Each chapter is filled with a new challenge that Bob must over come to find his true course in life. The question is will he be able to do it or will he just keep making excuses of why he can't?
This story reflects everyone's life at some point. From doubting our abilities to meeting certain people who guide us in the right direction, to working hard and accomplishing our goals--this book combines it all.
Many children are going to love this 56 page chapter book with its amazing illustrations. The illustrations by Kevin Keele really make the story what it is. The reader feels as if they are right along with the character meeting the sea creatures as he does. Parents are going to love the messages this story brings.
There are a few quibbles. The rhyming is fun, but in a chapter book readers might find it distracting. Some readers will be looking for a tale with adventure and adversity, and though there is much adversity as well as many life lessons, that alone consumes the story as the boy searches for his purpose in life.
Readers will enjoy the animal characters, the amazing illustrations, and the great messages. A delightful story for anyone who loves the ocean and wants to protect all wildlife.
