Powermen Adventures

About the Book

Hope Inspiring Adventures For Young Ones:

Picture yourself in Tuku’s or Cooper’s shoes and think of what it would feel like if you were sent on a journey and had to rescue someone. For the rescue mission to be a satisfying success, what do you think will be needed? What can each person do to help the others? How can this relate to your personal situation?

While trying to find their way through the mysterious pyramids, Tuku and Cooper face one baffling obstacle after another. See if you can recognize what they focused on to keep a positive outlook. What could you focus on to help you in coping with your problems and painful setbacks?

What do you think will be needed to continue on life’s journey with a courageous and hopeful attitude? As you read the “Powermen Adventures,” written and illustrated by Franky Schaaf, at age 9, who also faced many challenging situations in his life as he battled against Leukemia, see if you can identify what he found to be most helpful.

A Guide for Parents, Health Care Service Providers and Supporters:

The powerful lessons of courage, hope and determination creatively woven throughout the “Powermen Adventures,” can be a refreshing source of strength even in the face of the most difficult and unpredictable circumstances. Notes from Franky’s Mom contribute to the depth of understanding of these meaningful lessons.

This fictionalized version of a child’s interpretation of his world, strongly relating to his own bewildering medical experiences, can be a powerful aid in giving insight into the thought processes and reactions of children going through life-altering medical care. Although adult therapists have endeavored to comment on the subject, this is an opportunity to view this brave battle against Leukemia from a child’s perspective of his reality.

About the Author

The “Powermen Adventures” strongly convey Franky’s own interpretation of the various major adjustments that he had to make due to his medical situation. In several areas of his life, however, Franky maintained a courageous determination to keep a positive outlook. Frank and I marvel at some of the interesting and complex, yet amazingly achievable goals that he’d set for himself. Additionally, in a loving and caring way, he’d often recruit others such as myself and Frank, or his grandparents and other family members and friends, to assist him in turning his ideas into accomplishments; then he’d immediately take steps toward their completion.

Although Franky initiated the idea about writing and illustrating his “Powermen Adventures,” he sought out advice from his Grammy Jean Marie, who has had many books published. Gathering ideas from her about what a book should look like, how many pages it should have, and so on; he eagerly worked on his Adventures. With the loving and self-giving assistance from his Grammy Jean Marie, you, along with many others, are able to benefit from the encouragement and insight contained in this valuable treasure— ”Powermen Adventures.”

After taking an interest in sewing crafts such as needle-point, Franky called upon his Grandma Connie to assist him with the supplies needed to make a quilt. With tender loving care, she promptly gathered all of the supplies needed and put them in a cute little kit for Franky. In the hospital, he would carefully draw his own pictures on each sewing cloth then patiently stitch each color by hand. Grandma Connie was diligently by his side to the grand completion of Franky’s 62-inch x 96-inch self-designed needle-point quilt.

Realizing that his Grandpa Ron had an interest in wood-working, Franky made detailed plans to construct his very own treasure chest with him. Franky and I went to the library to find just the right book to design his wooden chest. Then, with the caring help and guidance of his Grandpa Ron, they carefully chose the wood, penciled out the pattern and worked side-by-side at least a whole afternoon, sawing, sanding and assembling the perfect treasure chest for Franky.

Grandpa Charlie had an important role in helping Franky attain the confidence to drive the family golf cart all by himself. As the two tinkered around in Grandpa’s pole barn, they would spontaneously come up with a way to have fun. The next moment, they would come out of the pole barn breezing around the yard together, either on the motor-scooter with Grandpa Charlie driving, or in the golf cart with Franky driving. From the bottom of our hearts we want to say “THANK YOU GRANDPARENTS” for helping Franky to keep his vision on happy things.