Overview

Rebel and The Rooster is a heartwarming, humorous, and beautifully illustrated story about friendship, curiosity, and courage - and about finding joy in everyday adventures. When Rebel, a playful Labrador pup with a nose for mischief, meets Rooster, a colorful, clever, and slightly stubborn feathered friend, an unlikely friendship takes flight. Together, they explore their backyard world with boundless imagination, discovering lessons about loyalty, kindness, teamwork, and the power of curiosity. Whether they're solving little mysteries, lending a helping paw or wing, or simply learning to listen to one another, Rebel and Rooster prove that courage and compassion can turn even ordinary days into extraordinary adventures. Inspired by the author's real-life pets and the values he was raised with, Rebel and The Rooster captures the timeless spirit of family, friendship, and fun. Written by Lou Basenese, Jr. - the author of the acclaimed memoir Between the Sauce, Stars and Heaven - this story brings to life the same warmth and sincerity that define all of his work. Each page is filled with gentle humor, vivid imagery, and life lessons told in a way that young children can understand and families can enjoy together. Lou grew up in the small Italian-American town of Netcong, New Jersey, where faith, food, and family shaped his view of the world. The laughter and lessons from that upbringing find their way into every story he writes. Through Rebel and Rooster, he shares simple but powerful truths - that love always finds a way, that curiosity is the beginning of wisdom, and that friendship is one of life's greatest adventures. Perfect for early readers and families to share aloud, Rebel and The Rooster combines rhythmic storytelling with colorful illustrations that capture both the humor and heart of childhood. Parents and grandparents will appreciate its wholesome themes and subtle moral lessons, while children will fall in love with the joyful antics of two best friends who see the world with wonder. The book is the first in The Adventures of Rebel & The Rooster: The Adventure Series, a collection of stories designed to teach values like honesty, teamwork, empathy, and perseverance through fun, relatable adventures. The series also includes The Special Patriot Series, which introduces young readers to the heroes, history, and founding ideals of America in a way that's engaging, educational, and inspiring. Each Rebel and The Rooster book is more than just a story - it's a shared experience that brings families closer together. It encourages laughter, conversation, and reflection on the small but meaningful lessons that shape a child's heart. At its core, Rebel and The Rooster reminds readers - young and old alike - that life's greatest treasures aren't found in grand adventures or faraway places, but in the simple acts of kindness, loyalty, and love we share every day. With its blend of humor, warmth, and timeless values, this book is destined to become a family favorite, sparking smiles and conversations for generations to come.

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Author Information

Lou Basenese, Jr. is a storyteller with a heart for faith, family, and imagination. After publishing his acclaimed memoir Between the Sauce, Stars and Heaven - a heartfelt journey through generations of love, loss, and legacy - Lou turned his creative energy toward inspiring children and families through stories that celebrate courage, kindness, and curiosity. That vision came to life in Rebel and The Rooster, the first title in his new children's series under his imprint Lou Tells Tales. Inspired by his real-life pets - Rebel, a spirited Labrador retriever, and Rooster, a clever, colorful friend - the series blends gentle humor with meaningful life lessons that help young readers see the world through eyes of wonder and empathy. Each adventure invites families to read together, laugh together, and rediscover timeless values that matter now more than ever: friendship, loyalty, honesty, and love. Lou's storytelling reflects the same warmth and authenticity that shaped his own childhood. Raised in the small Italian-American town of Netcong, New Jersey, he grew up surrounded by laughter, strong faith, and the enduring lessons of community. His upbringing - steeped in tradition, storytelling, and Sunday family gatherings - continues to shape the characters and messages in every Rebel and The Rooster book. From their backyard adventures to their heartfelt discoveries, Lou's stories are grounded in the belief that life's greatest lessons often begin with simple acts of kindness. Before becoming a full-time author, Lou built a long and successful business career leading divisions of Fortune 500 companies and later co-founding On-Site Fleet Services of Florida with his wife, Laura. Together, they grew the company into a thriving, certified Women-Owned business that treats every employee like family - a reflection of their shared values of faith, hard work, and gratitude. Following a near-death experience in which Lou was clinically dead for twelve minutes, his creative calling deepened. That life-changing event - paired with his faith and the profound loss of his son Christopher to fentanyl poisoning - inspired him to write stories that uplift, heal, and remind readers, both young and old, of the beauty in everyday moments. The Rebel and The Rooster series grew out of that desire: to bring light and laughter into a world that sometimes feels too heavy. Lou believes children's books should entertain and enrich - planting seeds of compassion, courage, and curiosity that will grow for a lifetime. His stories balance fun and meaning, giving parents and grandparents something joyful to share while opening gentle conversations about life, friendship, and doing the right thing. Through Lou Tells Tales, Lou is building an imaginative world for readers of all ages. His projects include The Adventures of Rebel & The Rooster: The Adventure Series for young children; The Special Patriot Series, a companion collection that blends history and adventure to introduce young readers to America's founding ideals; Just Enough, the inspiring true story of the 1951 undefeated Netcong High School football team made up of gritty Italian-American immigrants; and The Porch of Saints and Secrets, a sweeping generational saga exploring how faith and family can both protect and haunt us. Across every project, Lou's mission remains the same: to tell stories that connect hearts and strengthen families, one page at a time. Lou lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife Laura, where together they continue to lead their family business and creative publishing ventures. Whether he's writing a memoir that stirs the soul, a novel rich in Italian-American history, or a children's story that sparks laughter and light, Lou's goal is to inspire readers to live with purpose, laugh often, and love deeply - lessons that Rebel and Rooster would wholeheartedly agree with.

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