The Amazing Raja (Book 1)
Transform your kids life with this endearing baby elephant's tale of love, kindness and inclusivity. Stories for all ages.
About The Amazing Raja
The Amazing Raja is a book for children and their parents and for people of all ages. This is a story of a baby elephant being nurtured by a father and mother (elephant) in a small village and how the lessons taught by their parents are carried forward with joy and grace by their sweet baby elephant Raja. This book is rich with kindness, love, compassion, and service. The inspiration and close bond between parents and their children come alive in this book and demonstrate how kindness of the parent to the child and the child back to the parent become the invisible thread that unite the family and the qualities of kindness, compassion and service get passed on to the next generation and the community. These unique lessons from the heart of the parents get magically and subconsciously transmitted with their inherent love and kindness. In this moving story of the Amazing Raja, the reader is taken back to their own experiences of fantasy, deep caring, and joy of belonging.
This mythical elephant transfers onto the reader simple yet powerful lessons that our purpose here on this planet is to co-exist in peace, to embrace all, because in the last analysis we are all equal wherever we come from, and simply to lead lives of service in this magnificent human race. The illustrations by the twelve-year-old Anees Aldairy lift the reader and places them at the scene where this poignant story unfolds. These are life lessons that Raja got from his parents and which he brought onto the entire village where elephants and humans co-existed in perfect harmony.
Authors note and Acknowledgements
This book is for Abby and Gracie and Gracie and Abby. Our two little girls aged four and two, at that time and their fascination for bedtime stories about the India of my youth. Their curiosity and enthusiasm and sheer love for stories inspired me to dig deep and uncover the days of my youth when life was simple and pure joy.
This book is also for Lauren and Jake who captured their imagination and fantasy in their artwork, and to the newest member of our family, baby Brooks Deevy. Our kids made stories and imagination come alive for all of us. And for Katie who supported, encouraged, and contributed immensely to make art very much part of our family.
My parents Norbert and Sybil whose love and guidance I carry in my heart every day of my life and my Grandmother Josephine whose steadfast faith and commitment was the foundation of our family. Our sweet aunt Mercy who smiled at the stories and often nodded off.
I started on this book so many times and stopped, until I went far back into my youth to remember and to uncover what I felt then as a little boy and what I feel today, as I live quietly in Amman- Jordan pursuing a dream to build a medical Sanctuary for the people. This story about the mythical Raja took me back in time to the fantasy of my youth where story telling was a daily ritual for my older siblings Aloysius, whose genuine kindness and love was so unique for that time and all time and Francis the visionary of our family and, Marie whose commitment to all of us was unmatched. The others followed along: Stan, Greg, Loretta, Dudley, Hilton, Pius, and Ron. We were so often joined by our neighbor’s Angus and Clifford and my uncle Sonno. The stories started out about soccer and field hockey and cricket games won and lost. Everyone had a story and mostly their version, part true and part fantasy but all told with immense joy and tamasha (simply fun). The story time was anytime morning, afternoon and at night. I joined the group to give them my latest fantasy about lions, tigers, and elephants and wandering through the forests of my dreams. I owe a debt of gratitude to all my siblings, neighbors, and friends whose love, support, and encouragement I hold in my heart. This story as told to my two children were from my imagination and from my heart and are not reflective of reality. Some names and events reflect the time of my youth and my siblings who have passed on. Each one of them inspired me and carried me on their shoulders, loved me and encouraged storytelling to bring to life my imagination.
Along this unchartered journey I met the mysterious Professor Noor in Jordan who fell in love with Raja-and offered guidance so that Raja lives on in the hearts and minds of Abby and Gracie and all little girls and boys.
The illustrations and pure art were brought to life by the vivid imagination, intuition, and sheer talent of the gentle and kind Anees Aldiary the twelve-year-old budding artist, whose creative talents and inspiring art will live on in each child that loves the spirit of Raja.
My friend Karl Hofmeier who brings a can-do spirit to every project.
Lastly my dear friend Harry Kraemer who encouraged and supported me unconditionally.
My niece Alison (Allie), whose illness as a baby sent me to doctors in the early hours of the morning during monsoon rains and windstorms was the genesis of my imaginary friend the Mythical Raja who was always there to guide me and carry me over many a storm to awaken a sleeping doctor. Alison you were the best, we all love you and miss you. Somehow it always felt my imaginary friend was with me always to protect me when the high winds blew away roofs and the whole village was in darkness. The Raja of my dreams and the Raja who belong to the hearts and minds of our kids. I thank you for being a source of strength, guidance, and inspiration. Today, as I did then, I know we are all here to love and to serve, always remembering that we are brothers and sisters on the same journey.
These were the best of times for me in our little old L shaped home that we called “Rose Cottage” and now renamed “Elevens Ville” the home of my ancestors for many, many generations.
Readers Thoughts
Absolutely loved the messages in the story and the design art work. My prayer for this story is may it be in every house hold to be V read c again and again no matter if children are in the home. Every living human being has an Inner Child c waiting b to be comforted with kindness and respect. I am holding prayer c intention for Auth I r Berk Fernandez be honored for c the timeless living message of kindness, consideration and respect fir another is truly a gift we humans need a daily dose of. My heart is HAPPY!!
Rev Betty Anna Casinelli *****
This is such a simple and wonderful story for kids... and adults. It teaches kindness and love and always being inclusive is the best way to exist. Kids who learn these messages at a young age become the teenagers and adults in the world that make a difference. They find ways to help each other and people in general. 100% read. The baby elephant Raja is so endearing and I cant wait to read more of the stories about him and his family. Natalie *****
About the Author and Illustrator
Author
Berk Fernandez is an entrepreneur who has travelled extensively and worked in over 75 countries around the world. He now lives in Amman-Jordan pursuing a dream to build a medical sanctuary for the people in the region. The Amazing Raja is a throwback to his youth in India, a story about his childhood and family and fascination for how people can coexist irrespective of who they are or where they come from. Berk believes we are all passing through this beautiful planet and all of creation are here to love and to serve each other for our brief time here on earth. This philosophy is embodied in the spirit of the Amazing Raja.
Contact: Berk.Fernandez@unaworldwide.com
Illustrator
Anees Aldiary a budding twelve-year-old artist who is in school every day learning Math, Science, English, history and other subjects. This budding artist was identified and mentored by the creative genius of Professor Noor who has a unique ability to identify, encourage and develop talent in the region. Anees Aldiary along with his aunt worked quietly to understand the uniqueness of Raja and captured the spirit of Raja in all the illustrations for this book. This young artist will emerge as a creative genius in the days to come.