A great gift idea any time of year.

Stand Firm against Bullies

Taking a Stand

Whether kids are preparing for life on the high seas or just high school, bullying is a reality. But when your parents are Pirates, they’re not afraid of ruffling some feathers to do the right thing. After Petie is mocked for not aspiring to be a Pirate like all the other kids, his parents reach out to the school before tackling one of the bullies head-on. A final battle between Petie’s teacher and his father will change the attitudes of more than one Pirate.

Petie and his dad with parrot Demo

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Meet the Team

Jim Best, Author

Although his first career was in business, Jim Best has always had an appreciation for books and a motivation to share their value with others. He founded Best Story Alive to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Featuring lovable characters like Petie and Demo, his stories share life lessons in a way that makes education exciting and enjoyable for young people.

Jim was born in Detroit and later lived in Chicago and California. These days, he mostly writes in central Minnesota, but as a frequent traveler, Jim also brings his imagination—and his pen—with him as he visits new places. Much like Petie’s Pirate friends, Jim sails the seas in search of our world’s hidden treasures.

Emily Lynch Victory, Illustrator

Emily Lynch Victory is a painter and illustrator enthusiastic about pattern. With degrees in both mathematics and fine art, she loves combining the two. Originally from Minnesota, Emily currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and three young, energetic, book-loving boys.

What Is Best Story Alive?

At Best Story Alive, we understand that education is the foundation of creating a fulfilling life, and reading is a fundamental part of that. We make reading an enjoyable and entertaining pastime that the whole family can share together. As you read about these lovable characters, you’ll laugh, be inspired, and learn. Young readers may discover some bigger words to add to their vocabulary and strengthen their reading muscles.

Enjoy these fun stories, made for living, laughing, and learning. Most of them take place in Stillville, where “All Our Citizens Are Animals.” They cover a range of topics that everyone can relate to, including learning to be true to ourselves, finding our strengths, being comfortable in our own skin, making the most with what we have, dealing with a bully, and more of course!