Jed's story begins the Summer of 1967, when he lives at his Grandparents' Dairy Farm during the confusion of War in Vietnam. Through that darkness, there emerged a vision of hope for non-violence and equality. Impressed by Dr. King's message, Jed takes giant strides, protecting vulnerable wildlife and neighbors. Coco, his Chocolate Lab is by his side, and Jed's twin friends, Nate and Effie help train Red Pony, Meggie Goat, and Hideaway Kate, born in a thicket. "Jed remembers the day he searched for the calf. Soon Jed set off for the marshy area where he was not allowed to go. Summer sun beat down, but still he sank up to his knees in tangled weeds. The boy stood dwarfed beside massive, thorn bushes towering in his path; he took a deep breath and covered his eyes with his arms. Bleeding, Jed plunged onto a patch of raised swamp grass. His heart raced in the darkened cave; it felt moist and soft through canvas sneakers. He spied a tiny calf still wet from her cow's licking. Jed froze; the cow looked up startled. Seeing the boy, the calf wobbled toward him, shivered and toppled over. Jed wasted no time lifting her. He hoped his arms would not give out, and the cow would not gore his back. Frantic bellowing brought the neighbor's plow horses racing to the fence to watch the barnyard commotion." Missing his parents, Jed finds humorous ritual in Nature's surprises. Wise and witty Grandad reinforces the boy's sense of belonging. Jed's view from jagged Granite Ledge, high above the farm, brings the wounded boy calm confidence through Summer of 1968.

The author, Carol Hartley Bellows shook her head and laughed, "Thirty years of teaching, ministry and farming brought me to canyons, fields and mountains. All along I have lived with the image of Benjamin on my shoulder. The story of Benjamin Monkey is fiction based on truth. When Benjamin first grinned and raised his eyebrows our family's days of loving care for a little Capuchin monkey began. This ten year adventure brought mischief, fun, curiosity and tears, embodied in Benjamin's unusual exploits beyond our wildest dreams." Benjamin excelled at tearing around. He was driven by his bond with Jamie, who had younger siblings, cats and dogs at their home in a small hill-town. After he had riled up the Medical School Research Lab, Benjamin was sad and longed for a friend until he found Jamie. Soon they traveled miles on her 10-speed over dirt roads to secret places. Her Benji held on tight and hid under Jamie's hair to avoid crisis from circling predators, bullies, wild dogs, scary cows, icy wind and lightening storms. Jamie shared Benji's excitement, and encouraged her friends, Josie, David and Mike to enjoy him with kindness. One night while blaring the car radio to hear Joan Baez's "Forever Young," Jamie drove with "Benji" bouncing up and down on her shoulder to show him Big City lights. Loudly singing with Josie, Jamie cruised past a befuddled cop, who just scratched his head and stared. Through a decade of Benji's unusual moments, his Grey Logs family told his stories. When tired from hours of mischief, the small Capuchin loved to curl in Jamie's lap and rock beside hot coals in the fieldstone fireplace. Sturdy 1910 log rafters, tall Maple trees and a special "Benji's Bush" had become the gentle monkey's favorite habitat forevermore.

"Day after day, Icabog scrambled to the top of tall trees to search for his new home in the North Woods." Alone in the forest, the young bear must find food and shelter before winter. He tried to be brave. Full of questions, Icabog wondered how he found Crystal and her bears. How could Icabog free the bears to help sad children? "When Icabog climbed the highest hill to search the trail ahead, he stopped and licked his aching paws, cracked from jagged rocks." Icabog expected a beast of fire and fury was over the hill. His head swirled and tummy flip-flopped. Far off he saw the oldest part of Spruce Forest, and hoped that someday he would find it. Alas, he had to be brave. "Through the years, Icabog loved to explore with Sasha and their cubs. They found good hiding places and high cliffs above the lake. Often the cubs begged to hear about Icabog's dream." And so began the legend of Icabog Bear.