This simple tale of a boy and his kite reveals a profound truth for all generations —
There is always more to the story
There is always more to the story
Al Andrews lives in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife Nita and their sons Hunter and Brent. He grew up in Montreat, North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He is the director of Porter’s Call, a non-profit that comes alongside recording artists with counsel, support and encouragement.
When his boys were young, Al took them on many kite flying expeditions which were always great fun. However, they never came home with their kites, which instead ended up in trees, crumpled on the ground, or somewhere in the airspace over Guatemala. Ever hopeful, he plans to fly them one day with his grandchildren.
This is his first children’s book.
Jonathan Bouw lives in Muncie, Indiana with his wife and three children. Prior to his current home, he lived in the Republic of the Philippines, Malaysia, New York, and the state of Idaho. He studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Jonathan is a professional illustrator and is currently the Chair of the Art Department at Taylor University, in Upland, Indiana.
When he was a boy, he made and flew kites made of plastic bags and coconut tree fronds. Besides making kites, he loved to draw dinosaurs, make airplanes, create rubber band weapons, shoot bamboo canons, and climb mango trees, all of which he still enjoys, though not as frequently.
When “The Boy, the Kite, and the Wind” becomes profitable, 100% of the net profits will go to support a number of pre-selected projects around the world that help men, women and children to “take flight.”
They include education and food programs, medical care, development projects, mentoring programs, AIDS education and prevention, orphan care, clean water projects, and more.
As the projects are funded, they’ll be listed here so that you can see what you’ve been a part of with the purchase of the book. This, however, is only a beginning. Perhaps you can add on to what we’ve already started!
To learn more about the story behind this philanthropy, go to: improbablephilanthropy.com
“I’ve not thought so much or so often of a children’s book as I have since reading The Boy the Kite and the Wind.” While the moral of the story is true and grounded, there is also an underwritten subtext that believably claims life is somberly beautiful. I am grateful to have remembered the wind in my own life, and know now that the sacrifice of a thousand kites is worth the memories.”
- Donald Miller, author and speaker
“This is by far the most beautiful and moving book for children I have ever read. The elegantly simple, yet touching story and the magnificent illustrations will fill your child’s soul with wonder and make their hearts soar. Parents be warned! You will have to explain to your son or daughter why you cry every time you read it to them.”
– Ian Morgan Cron, author, Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale
“Al Andrews lifts our spirits just like the red kite he writes about in this simple, timeless story –even as he reveals the loss of innocence. The Boy, the Kite and the Wind has a deeply provocative message that we can share with every child and throughout each season of our life. With its beautiful and moving illustrations you may discover your deepest longings, dashed dreams and hope upon hope. You will reconsider the joys of living a life that’s a little bit dangerous but full of possibilities. It is worth reading again and again.”
- Chris Hilicki, Psychotherapist and Founder of Dalmatian Press, a national children’s book publisher.
“The Boy, The Kite, and the Wind is destined to be a classic that you will read over and over to your children, and then you will read it again to yourself to remind you that God uses everything to tell us the only thing — that He loves us.”
- Sharon A. Hersh, M.A., is an LPC, speaker, author of the Hand-in-Hand parenting series, and an adjunct professor who believes that everything we need to know can be learned by reading stories.
“With delightful illustrations by Jonathan Bouw, Al Andrews tells a simply profound story of a boy, his father, and a kite, and about seeing the big picture behind the obvious. This beautiful book is not only a joy to see and read, but like the story itself, will precipitate conversations between parents and children about the deeper truths and the lifelong pursuit of the cause behind the effect.
In a world in which kids are so bombarded with the material and the immediate, this treasure is a great way to encourage them to see below the surface and to invest their choices in things that cannot always be seen.” Gloria Gaither – Homecoming Magazine