*Review* Bryson the Brave Bison by Nate Davenport and Luke Freshwater

 

Genre: Children's 4-8 years

Published: June 27, 2023

Pages: 32

In this world of challenges, we all need a hero … and here comes Bryson the Brave Bison! In the face of a big storm, Bryson shows his crew and the entire herd, that you can get through anything with a little bravery and self-confidence.

This original rhyming story tells the story of how one brave bison lead his herd to face a challenge and overcome it. Combined with dynamic artwork from New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey, this legend comes alive!

Bryson the Brave Bison:

• is written in lyrical rhyme perfect for read-alouds
• features unique vintage style artwork from NYT bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey
• highlights positive character traits such as bravery, courage, and trust
• is an ideal gift for any time of year 

 

From debut authors Nate Davenport and Luke Freshwater, Bryson the Brave Bison teaches children positive character traits such as bravery, honest, and perseverance and shows them that with courage they can face the storms in life. Nate and Luke are good friends, intentional fathers, and business leaders who frequently speak about bravery and courage with their children and in business. Bryson the Brave Bison was inspired by Luke’s service as a firefighter in Idaho and as an Army bomb squad leader in the war in Afghanistan.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This is a story about a young bison who is much braver than the rest of the bison in his herd. Much like my daughter, the bison are terrified of thunderstorms, but living on the prairie, they don't really have a good way to avoid them. So they usually run away from them. But Bryson thinks instead they should run through the storm to get through it faster. Which is a solid point. He tries to convince the herd to try it, but they're all far too scared, until Bryson heads into the storm. They follow and discover that he was right and running through the storm is a better option. 

The illustrations had a very old western feeling to them, making me think of the Little House on the Prairie books, which makes sense because it is a book about bison living on the prairie. They helped to show the story as it progressed. I'd probably be okay reading this book a few times before I'd desperately want to move on to something else. Overall I give this book 3.86 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Nate Davenport resides in Huntington, WV, whose city mascot is the bison! He and his wife Suzanna have two children, Crews and Lyla, and a goldendoodle named Heidi. Nate’s passion for literature and writing comes from his father Jeff, who is an author too! Nate earned a degree in youth ministry from Cedarville University, where he also played baseball. He currently works as a sales leader in the medical space, where he focuses on helping those recovering from addiction. Nate’s mission is to impact the lives of children through whimsical literature filled with positivity and truth. 

Luke Freshwater resides in the greater Columbus, OH area with his wife Megan and their five young children. Luke served as a forest firefighter in Idaho and as an Army bomb squad leader in the war in Afghanistan. He went to NC State University and Cedarville University, where he played baseball. Luke is currently a sales leader, aspiring bison farmer, and dedicated to the pursuit of intentional fatherhood while positively impacting the lives of fatherless children.

Richard Cowdrey's favorite things to draw and paint are the things that reflect the awesomeness of God and his creation. From vast landscapes to the littlest bug on a leaf, Richard marvels at the beauty in the details. Richard's bestselling children's books include Fiona the Hippo, Legend of the Candy Cane, Bad Dog, Marley and A Very Marley Christmas.