Great news arrived this morning via Film Freeway. The screenplay Bam Bam the Bunny: Hole Lot of Trouble moved forward as a nominee in the 2026 Wolf Media Festival.
According to the platform this screenplay is in the upper tier of projects since gaining a 4th selection from a festival or contest.
Bam Bam the Bunny is added to 523 reading lists on the platform after launching roughly one month ago.
One user also left a memorable review I wanted to share here on the blog.
This morning I woke up to seeing a new high for my follower count.
I am fortunate to experience continued growth on this platform. It’s one I have studied and examined a while.
It can be hard to create on social media know you don’t fit firmly in one niche and your content isn’t related to existing trends. However, there is room for more than just influencers and memes.
A big thank you 🙏🏽 to everyone who has followed and shown their support.
The softcover edition of Bam Bam the Bunny climbed from #9 into the Top 5 on the New Release Children’s Rabbit Books chart on Amazon Canada.
This marks the book’s first appearance on the Canadian charts, just in time for the Easter season. While Easter is often associated with bunnies and candy, its true meaning is about Jesus and his sacrifice. I think my family would have roasted me if I made the upcoming holiday about myself, my books, and rabbits.
The message of love and friendship to me works better for Valentines. Fun fact, I looked into creating promotional Valentines cards but I wasn’t finding anything I liked as far as printing options.
Perhaps those promotional materials can happen next year!
In U.S. news Bam Bam Bunny climbs back to #2 in New Release Children’s Rabbit Books.
Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town was named an official selection in the American Story Showcase we just got word today. Congratulations to the winner Casey Nolan and the other featured writers.
The American Story Showcase recognizes scripts, books, short stories, & stage plays in any genre that features a story that captures the American Spirit.
The latest installment in the Fuzzy Heroes series holds the top spot in New Release Children’s Rabbit books for 9 days in a row, as of February 23, 2026!
Thank you 🙏 to everyone who bought the book and left a review.
Although the piece was not selected as a finalist I did receive valuable feedback – a written review of the script.
“Good read! I think the script was well written and presented properly. I did enjoy reading this submission. This script shows a lot of promise so I’d like to encourage the author to continue writing and submitting. I would like to see more from this author in the future!”
– Missouri Film Office: Missouri Stories Scriptwriting Fellowship Judge’s Feedback.
It’s been a very active 2026 for social media activity.
My vertical video “Flower Girl” brought in over 1 Million views this year. Fans who liked the video also followed.
The result so far is over 35.24 new followers decided to support me on my TikTok journey.
What an honor!
I’m definitely going to be putting more thought into my next batch of TikTok videos.
I’ve never had this reaction to my content before and this is more followers than I’ve had on a single platform.
I don’t know what to expect but it’s definitely cool to have had this experience so far.
It’s been a busy last few weeks with the launch of Bam Bam the Bunny, a giveaway, and Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town reaching semi-finalist status at the Chanticleer Book Awards. There has also been additional excitement surrounding my vertical drawing process videos, which are gaining attention in 2026.
“Flower Girl,” which was originally released on TikTok in 2024, has reached 1 million views as of today.
On February 14, Bam Bam the Bunny debuted at #2 in both Children’s Rabbit eBooks and Children’s Cartoon eBooks on Amazon. Since its release, the book has continued to gain traction, and today it reached #1 in five categories, including several New Release lists.
These rankings signal growing visibility for the Fuzzy Heroes picture book series, positioning it among the top-performing children’s books in its genres.
In the New Releases in Children’s Rabbit Books category, Bam Bam the Bunny displacing Unsettling Salad! (Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales!) by Aaron Reynolds, published by Simon & Schuster, which had previously held the top position.
The book also ranked above well-known contemporary and classic titles in the Children’s Rabbit eBooks category, including Too Many Rabbits by Katy Hudson, as well as The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter.
Continue reading “Bam Bam the Bunny jumps to #1 on Amazon.com”
As The book reached #2 in Children’s Cartoon ebooks and Children’s Rabbit ebooks, alongside Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales.
There’s no shame in being second.
Over 20,000 new followers joined me on TikTok, and while the number is exciting, what matters most is the community forming around creativity, curiosity, and fun.
If you’re building something and progress feels slow, keep going. Sometimes momentum builds so that things can take off later.
Grateful for everyone who’s along for the ride.
Continue reading “TikTok Update”
There is renewed interest in TikTok now that a deal has been reached and it won’t be banned.
I picked up where I left off in 2024 and I’m glad I did.
So far this year the channel has grown to over 1 million views in the last 28 days.
Continue reading “Celebrating 1 Million Channel Views”
Last December, I completed a short script titled “Bam Bam the Bunny: Hole Lotta Trouble,” set within the world and characters of Bam Bam the Bunny. I am pleased to share that the project has been named an Official Selection at the 2026 International Animation Festival.
This recognition comes ahead of the upcoming release of the Bam Bam the Bunny picture book, scheduled to launch on February 14, 2026.
I’m excited to share some great news: Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town has advanced to the Semi-Finals of the 2025 Chanticleer Little Peeps Awards for Early Readers Fiction.
The Little Peeps Awards celebrate outstanding children’s and picture books, and reaching the Semi-Finalist tier means the book has now advanced through two competitive rounds of judging. With each stage, the field narrows and I’m honored that Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town continues to stand out among so many wonderful titles.
According to Chanticleer, only one more tier—the Finalists—remains before winners are announced, fingers crossed!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day and the release of Bam Bam the Bunny, the second book in the Fuzzy Heroes picture book series.
Bam Bam is a hero who spreads love and understanding. Although he has many super abilities, like jumping over buildings, his real superpower is listening and problem-solving. This story shows children that taking the time to listen and find out what’s wrong is the first step toward solving problems. Along the way, Bam Bam makes lots of new friends.
This will be my last Goodreads eBook giveaway. I’m going to focus on other types of giveaways—possibly still with Goodreads, but definitely on other platforms.
Bam Bam the Bunny trading cards are here. They will be available through promotional partners and at events.
These new additions to the Fuzzy Heroes universe arrived ahead of the book which is scheduled to launch February 14, 2026.
Collectors beware! They are limited edition and this is a singular print run.
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Story books, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books, and Educational Books. These books have advanced to the Long List for the CIBAs.
Continue reading “Chanticleer Shortlisted”A special New Year 2-day promo took place January 5-6 to start 2026 off with a bang!💥
The book also appeared back on the chart at home in the U.S.
A big thank you 🙏 to everyone who welcomed this story into their home during this promo.
Check out this feature as well as some other great articles in ITSE magazine.
https://issuu.com/inthespiritentertainmentmagazine/docs/itse_magazine_winter_2025?ff
Both Guinea Pig Power and Cowboy Cooper are running promos right now!
Guinea Pig Power is free and available on Kindle Unlimited.
Cowboy Cooper is part of a Kindle Countdown Deal and is currently priced at just 99¢.
Update: Thank you to everyone who took advantage of these deals!
Cowboy Cooper made it into the Top 6 in two of its categories, and Guinea Pig Power hit the Top 5 in two categories as well.
Grateful to be invited to Three Trails Elementary, where Principal Jillian Brownell and the staff created a wonderful celebration for the 67th day of school. I read to 400 students, answered questions, and shared my journey as an author and illustrator—both with publishers and independently.
Continue reading “Three Trails Elementary Reading Event”
My guest post for ReaderViews Magazine is now live! I want to give a big thank you to Sheri and Susan for inviting me and for the support they give to many authors through guest posts, reviews, interviews, and their esteemed award program. It was a nice shift from my usual work in news and marketing, and it gave me a chance to talk more directly about writing itself.
In the post, I look at a few reasons animal characters work well in children’s books. I discuss their familiar appeal, the sense of comfort they offer young readers, and how they can help kids follow and remember a story.
Thanks again to ReaderViews Magazine for having me. I hope the post offers something useful to anyone creating stories for children.
A big thank you goes out to friend and educator Katy Alexander for sending in this picture.
I’ve received my first selection on FilmFreeway. My vertical animated short Cupid School (which hasn’t been released on any of my personal socials yet) is an Official Selection at the Vertical Shorts Festival in Los Angeles California 2026.
Vertical Shorts Festival is a global celebration of short-form films created specifically for vertical screens. Our mission is to elevate mobile-first storytelling and redefine how cinema is experienced in the 21st century.
Bam Bam the Bunny: Fuzzy Heroes is a heartwarming children’s picture book written and illustrated by Ben St. James. It follows the adventures of Bam Bam the bunny, who lives in a bustling town and loves to jump from one place to another. He is heroic and always ready to spring into action when someone needs help. When a woman screams for assistance because she is stuck on top of a tall building with an ape, Bam Bam teams up with the police to resolve the situation. However, he soon realizes that not everything is as it seems, and rushing to judge a problem can lead to confusion. By the end of the day, he resolves a misunderstanding and brings together unlikely friends in an unexpected circumstance.
Bam Bam the Bunny: Fuzzy Heroes is both a fun and meaningful story that teaches children about facing their fears and the importance of not making quick judgments. Through Bam Bam, they learn to be there for others in need, show understanding, and help resolve conflicts. His cheerful and energetic nature makes it a joy to read about his adventures. Ben St. James’ narrative is rhythmic, featuring rhyming words and conveying vital messages that both children and adults can appreciate. The artwork is the most striking part because it is colorful and eye-catching. Anyone who has watched classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry or Bugs Bunny will feel nostalgia over the illustrations, as they evoke fond memories of that animation era. Overall, the story emphasizes that differences should be celebrated and that compassion can turn strangers into friends. I highly recommend sharing this book with your children to teach them these valuable lessons while enjoying an entertaining story.
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favorite
I’m happy to celebrate two incredible authors, Sara Uren and Sasha Milena Filipovich, for their wins at the 2025 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards — one of the most respected programs recognizing excellence in children’s literature since 2006.
Continue reading “Two of my Authors win big at the Moonbeam Award”Great news came in about Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town. It is officially out of the slush pile and a contender in this year’s Chanticleer Little Peeps Picture and Children’s Books competition.
The book made the long list, along with a host of books from various authors and publishers.
There are multiple rounds of judging which take place over the next few months into 2026.
Big thanks to everyone who entered. As of right now My books are on over 1700 reading lists on GoodReads.
Guinea Pig Power also jumped to the #2 and #4 spots on two Amazon charts as the giveaway wrapped up.
Ben St. James