Guinea Pig Power Hits The News Across the U.S.A.

Word is out about the recent award wins and brand new contest!

Among the news features is local outlet the California Newswire, Daily Jefferson Country Union, The Daily Independent, and the Associated Press to name a few.

AP news story – Book Backgrounder – 1

Guinea Pig Power has gone nation-wide. This story has been featured in the Associated Press and picked up by over 400 news outlets across the country. It’s great to see Fuzwald and Rex, two ordinary guinea pigs who become superheroes, getting so much exposure.

Continue reading “Guinea Pig Power Hits The News Across the U.S.A.”

Back-to-school Giveaway

Celebrate going back-to-school with Guinea Pig Power

To celebrate a new season of learning and fun, as well as the book’s recent 2nd place win in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards we have 100 KDP ebooks up for grabs over at Goodreads.

Contest ends September 30th.

Enter To Win!

Cowboy Cooper: Reader’s Favorite Review Page is Live!

The editorial review for Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town is now live

“Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by Ben St. James. It follows Cooper McGee, affectionately known as Cowboy Cooper to his family and friends due to his love for the Old West. One day, Cowboy Cooper’s teacher introduces the class to an abandoned ghost town near his family’s farm. Excited about the possibility of exploring, Cowboy Cooper decides to search for treasures in the town.

Continue reading “Cowboy Cooper: Reader’s Favorite Review Page is Live!”

Guinea Pig Power – Premium Edition

Check out the new version of the book available from Lulu Press.

To mark the recent 2nd place win in the Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, a new edition of the book is now available. This Premium Edition includes updated cover art featuring all major award wins commemorating the book’s exciting journey, higher quality interior pages, and a refreshed, more vibrant design.

Available Now!

Guinea Pig Power Wins 2nd Place at the 2025 Purple Dragonfly Awards

The Purple Dragonfly Awards, run by Story Monsters LLC, recognize excellence in children’s literature across multiple categories.

Guinea Pig Power has tied for 2nd place in the Humor category at the 2025 Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.

Judges look for books that are well-written, visually appealing, and engaging for young readers.

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Cover Reveal: Bam Bam The Bunny

The next adventure in the Fuzzy Heroes series is almost here.

Meet Bam Bam the Bunny, the star of the upcoming rhyming picture book from the Fuzzy Heroes series. This sequel to the award-winning Guinea Pig Power skips the origin story and hops straight into action — with a few new faces joining the fun.

Most of this book was completed before Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town, but that release made room for a new scene and a few final touches. It’s nearly ready to go!

Stay tooned for release details!

7 Days at #1

Cowboy Cooper holds steady at the top spot for over 1 week since launching.

Cowboy Cooper held onto its top Hot New Release status in 4 categories:

Children’s Exploration (Paperbacks)

Children’s US Western Historical Fiction (eBooks)

Children’s Exploration History (eBooks)

Children’s Western American Historical Fiction (eBooks)

Here is what some readers are saying on Goodreads.

“This children’s book is a good example of an important message mixed within an interesting story. The illustrations are spot on with the story, allowing the message to shine and enhance a child’s entertainment. The only question… Will there be more stories with Cowboy Cooper to follow?”

Kelly Knapp

“Cute book with a moral message children can understand. Illustrations are sweet and not scary. My grandchildren liked this book.”

Lisa Hurst

“This was very cute and fun to read. I can’t think of a better way to reach kids about stealing and preserving history!”

EstephBooks

Goodreads Giveaway Wrap Up!

The winners have been selected for the Cowboy Cooper Book Launch Giveaway

Giveaway Page Preview

It has been a very busy week. From celebrating July 4th with friends and family, setting up an LLC, winning a new award, planning a move, lots of learning, launching the new book and more!

The Goodreads giveaway has wrapped and the winners are notified automatically.

We watched over 300 people jump onboard in the last 12 hours of the promotion.

I’m looking forward to my next giveaway!

Cowboy Cooper Debuts at #1 in 7 Categories across Amazon U.S.A.

Cowboy Cooper & the Ghost Town Launch Weekend Recap

Over the holiday weekend, Cowboy Cooper & the Ghost Town officially launched on Amazon and managed to debut at #1 in seven categories across Kindle and paperback.

Continue reading “Cowboy Cooper Debuts at #1 in 7 Categories across Amazon U.S.A.”

Happy Independence Day

Celebrating July 4th

Had a great celebrating Independence Day w/ Family & Friends, launching “Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town”.

This book is inspired by what I saw in Ghost Towns around the U.S. & what I have learned from historians about the #pioneertrails here in the city of #Independence.

Regal Summit Book Awards

The 2025 Winners List has been revealed

Award Page Preview

Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town is featured atop the winners list in the Children’s category alongside other great books by some exciting authors.

Continue reading “Regal Summit Book Awards”

Early Review by a Fellow Author

Traditionally published Children’s author Natalia Paruzel-Gibson wrote a detailed review of the soon-to-be released book “Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town”

Natalia wrote “A Picture Day to Remember”, published by Clavis Books, as well as her self-published debut “Something Lost, Something Found”. She shares special insights into the upcoming story “Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town” by Ben St. James — a book that shares ideas about preserving history and how learning can inspire creativity.

Continue reading “Early Review by a Fellow Author”

Cowboy Cooper Goodreads Giveaway

Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town launches July 4th! Enter to win a copy.

ENTER HERE!

Celebrate July 4th with a spirited Wild West adventure! Enter to win this Royal Dragonfly Award-winning picture book about preserving history!

Related Stories

Cowboy Cooper Coloring Page!

Cowboy Cooper Review by Historian Travis Boley

The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards recognizes Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town

More Fuzzy Heroes Fun is on the way in a New Book

The follow up to Guinea Pig Power has a name!

Unlike the first book which includes an origin story, this one hops right into action.

A new Fuzzy Heroes book is on the way. The follow-up to Guinea Pig Power will introduce Bam Bam the Bunny in an all-new rhyming adventure.

Unlike the first book which includes an origin story, this one hops right into action. Readers can also look forward to meeting new characters along the way.

Written, illustrated, and edited by Ben St. James. Stay tooned for the upcoming cover reveal.

“This time, there’s no origin story — just pure adventure.”

More updates to follow.

Festival Of Books 2025

Visited the L.A. Festival of Books this weekend and finally met one of the authors I’ve worked with online in person. The festival felt bigger than ever — packed. Maybe audiences are turning back to books.

Cowboy Cooper launches Worldwide on Amazon July 4, 2025

Find out how to pre-order the ebook!

Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town is officially set to launch July 4, 2025 on Amazon.com

The ebook is now available for pre-order.

The On-Demand print edition will be released on the same day, however, paperbacks are not currently available for pre-order on Amazon.

Click here to view on Amazon!

SCBWI April Drawing Prompt: Astronomy

Check out this month’s #drawthis

I’m going to try to keep up with the monthly prompts, especially if I am in writing mode, like I am this year.

This one was fun and it was completed in time for tonights astrological event the spring Pink Super Moon.

American Songwriter

A quick update! A song I co-wrote for a secret project got recognized as a semi-finalist in the American Songwriter contest.

I don’t get to do music much so this was a fun happening and it is an honor to be recognized.

Guinea Pig Power Ebook Free This Weekend

Share Literacy – get a Free Book!

To celebrate my live author reading at Everest Value School as part of their Literacy Workshop, I am giving away my debut book “Guinea Pig Power” this weekend. Its free on Amazon KDP.

Click the link below.

https://a.co/d/2IEGmjM

Update: Guinea Pig Power flew to #1 and #2 in the Free Ebook charts on Amazon.com and reached #1 on Amazon.ca
Continue reading “Guinea Pig Power Ebook Free This Weekend”

Guinea Pig Power Named a Finalist in the Feathered Quill Book Awards!

The Adventure Continues for Fuzwald & Rex!

Exciting news for Guinea Pig Power! My debut children’s book has been named a Finalist in the Feathered Quill Book Awards in the Animal – Children’s and YA category!

It’s been an incredible journey bringing Fuzwald and Rex’s adventure to life, and I’m beyond thrilled that their story is resonating with readers and award committees alike. The Feathered Quill Book Awards recognize literary excellence, and it’s an honor to see Guinea Pig Power recognized alongside other outstanding books.

Continue reading “Guinea Pig Power Named a Finalist in the Feathered Quill Book Awards!”

Cowboy Cooper Review by Historian Travis Boley

Find out what he thought about Cowboy Cooper

Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town was such a fun read! What better way to educate children about the importance of historic preservation than having Cowboy Cooper learn the hard way the negative ramifications of taking historic artifacts for his personal collection rather than leaving them in place for all to enjoy and to learn about the past. Ben St. James is to be lauded for finding a relatable way for children to engage with historic preservation! This book should be required reading for all of the children and grandchildren of the members of my association. I look forward to being able to provide this book to many of the elementary school teachers that I know.

Continue reading “Cowboy Cooper Review by Historian Travis Boley”

Readers’ Favorite Review Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town

Adventure Meets History: Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town Inspires Young Explorers to Protect the Past.

I admire Cowboy Cooper for his passion, determination, and adventurous spirit—qualities that can inspire other children to take an interest in history and explore their surroundings with curiosity and respect.

Luwi Nyakansaila Readers’ Favorite

Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by Ben St. James. It follows Cooper McGee, affectionately known as Cowboy Cooper to his family and friends due to his love for the Old West. One day, Cowboy Cooper’s teacher introduces the class to an abandoned ghost town near his family’s farm. Excited about the possibility of exploring, Cowboy Cooper decides to search for treasures in the town. Although his classmates try to discourage him by saying it would be wrong to take historical artifacts, he remains determined. After school, Cowboy Cooper rides out to the ghost town, hoping to find some cool treasures. However, he soon discovers that the town is not only rich in history but also offers valuable life lessons.

Continue reading “Readers’ Favorite Review Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town”

The 2024 Little Peeps Awards Short List for Early Readers and Children’s Books

It’s time to cheer on Guinea Pig Power and the rest of the books on the list!

Guinea Pig Power and these other titles have made the short list and are in the running for the SEMI-FINALISTS of the 2024 Little Peeps Book Awards competition for Children’s Fiction!

Continue reading “The 2024 Little Peeps Awards Short List for Early Readers and Children’s Books”
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