STAY HAPPY CHILDREN’S STORIES

About the Book

All these stories are based on real life adventures and, perhaps the most heartfelt; these are among the thousands of stories that the author shared with his daughter Lois (to whom all these book series are dedicated) every night from the time she was around 2 years old to around 7 years of age. Every night without fail, before going to sleep, the author would read children’s’ Bible stories, pray with her and narrate to her a true life story about his very adventurous childhood years growing up in Kenya. Having been born in the United States and having a great deal of intellectual curiosity and adventure, she found the stories unbelievably exciting. Amazingly she still does even as a young adult. Over and above the stories, the books provide fun activities, word search, plus coloring and spot the difference activities that are sure to keep families at home and while traveling really engaged and having fun. These fun activities also have a learning component where the children learn a few important facts and principles about every topic covered in each story, but in a fun, non-traditional-class way. The author owns the copyright to all the graphics. The names of characters and places have been changed to protect identities. Barnabas Gikonyo, Ph.D.

About the Author

Barnabas Gikonyo’s true life stories and an infectious ‘stay happy’ attitude continue to inspire many across the globe to a point where many have encouraged him to publish something to keep inspiring many yearning hearts for generations to come. Having grown up in the farming communities in Kenya, he learned most of his foundational principles from his everyday activities and, being a very adventurous kid he generated a repertoire of true life adventure stories that have left many, irrespective of age, craving to hear more. Perhaps the greater paradox is his educational and research experiences; in sciences. He truly stands out as a graceful talent in multiple fields. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois (2007) with a Ph.D. in organic and materials chemistry after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biochemistry at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. As a full time lecturer and SUNY Geneseo, NY, he has taught organic and general chemistry classes plus corresponding laboratories, and oversees the running of general chemistry labs. His research interests range from application of various polymeric materials as "biomaterial bridging surfaces" for the repair of spinal cord injuries to the use of osteoconductive cements for the repair of critical sized bone defects/fractures to pretreatment of hemp and fiber quality analysis to development of alternative/non-food biofuels. He has published a number of books on renewable energy with Apple Academic publishing company; 1) “Efficacy and sustainability in biofuel production, environmental and land use research; 2) Sugarcane as biofuel feedstock, Advances toward a sustainable energy solution; 3) “Fuel production from non-food biomass; corn stover, 4) Advances in Biofuel Production: Algae and Aquatic Plants. He is involved in STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) initiatives at the university aimed at helping increase enrollment and retention of students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields. He, in collaboration with local teachers and instructors has helped develop mentorship programs that continue to positively impact, inspire and encourage students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Notwithstanding being an instructor, faculty mentor, award winning motivational speaker, (he previously gave a TEDx talk titled “The 7 Steps Towards Achieving Seemingly Impossible Dreams' through SUNY Geneseo TEDx), Barnabas is an avid golfer and poet. He is probably known best for his uplifting and original phrase, “Stay happy, you have incredible value.” These series of “Stay Happy” children’s books are not only based on his true life experiences, but they are also a selection from thousands of bed time stories he shared with his own daughter every night from the ages of about 2 to 7 years. Stay happy, you have incredible value. Barnabas Gikonyo Ph.D.