Aaron Chavez’s Brin and Melly hits No. 1 on Amazon

A children’s book born from Aaron Chavez’s chainsaw carvings in China has reached No. 1 New Release on Amazon and is launching into a larger adventure series. The project mixes Pacific Northwest wildlife, an upcoming dragon storyline and a message Chavez says centers on kindness, courage and friendship.

Why it matters: - Brin and Melly’s Amazon No. 1 New Release status gives Aaron Chavez’s children’s project momentum beyond a single book. - The title is positioned as the start of a broader family franchise, with more books already planned. - Chavez is tying the series to a simple message for young readers: kindness, courage and imagination.

What happened: - Brin and Melly recently reached No. 1 New Release in Children’s Bear Books on Amazon. - Aaron Chavez wrote the book. - Chavez is the Paterson School District superintendent and a Pacific Northwest chainsaw artist. - The story grew out of a chainsaw carving Chavez created while working for Canadian International Schools in Guangzhou and Foshan, China. - The original carving featured a grizzly bear and a tiny owl. - Chavez later turned that sculpture into the foundation for Brin and Melly.

The details: - The series follows Brin, a lonely grizzly bear, and Melly, a curious little owl, in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. - The characters discover hidden places, save friends from a forest fire, and learn that courage can mean choosing kindness even when life is hard. - Chavez also created a Chinese dragon bust while working at the Foshan campus. - That dragon carving will play a role in the expanding Brin and Melly Adventures series. - Chavez said the dragon is meant to represent wisdom, courage and purpose, not fear. - The owl character Melly was inspired by the nickname of Chavez’s first granddaughter, Melody. - Two more books are scheduled to release before the end of the year: Brin and Melly: The Secret Cave and Brin and Melly: Guardian of the Hidden Valley. - Another title, Dragon Mountain, is already in development and will feature an ancient dragon inspired by Chavez’s carving in China. - Chavez has worked as a teacher, principal, superintendent, executive director and international school leader in the United States and China. - Readers can learn more about the books, view the original carvings and follow releases through more information.

Between the lines: - The project blends personal family references, international school experience and public-school leadership into a children’s brand with a clear moral message. - The emphasis on multiple planned titles suggests Chavez is building a long-term story world, not just promoting a single release. - The Disney or Pixar comparison signals ambition, even though that outcome is speculative and far from guaranteed.

What's next: - Chavez plans to release two additional Brin and Melly books by the end of the year. - Dragon Mountain is next in the pipeline. - Chavez said he will keep writing stories that encourage children to include others and read together as a family.

The bottom line: - Brin and Melly has moved from a carved bear and owl in China to a growing children’s series with commercial traction and franchise ambitions.