Reader's Choice, Global Book, and Literary Titan Gold Award Winner!
Looking for a heartwarming read-aloud picture book about curiosity, courage, and a love of reading?
Meet Benjamin—a small worm with a big imagination.
While the other worms are happy with their everyday routines, Benjamin dreams of something more. He wants to read real books. Determined to find them, he sets off on a journey beyond what he knows—facing challenges along the way and discovering that he doesn’t have to do it alone.
With courage, curiosity, and the help of new friends, Benjamin learns that following your dreams can lead to extraordinary adventures, and that even the smallest reader can discover a big, beautiful world through books.
Perfect for ages 3–7, Books For Benjamin is an engaging bedtime story and classroom read-aloud that explores:
A love of books, libraries, and reading
Curiosity and imagination
Courage to try new things
Friendship and community
Early problem-solving and emotional growth
Ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians, this picture book fits seamlessly into:
Benjamin’s story is both playful and meaningful, encouraging young readers to follow their curiosity, embrace new experiences, and discover the joy of books.
Start the adventure that began it all.
Continue Benjamin’s journey!
If your child loves Benjamin’s first adventure, don’t miss the next book: No Books For Benjamin? where Benjamin and his friends learn how teamwork, creativity, and resilience can solve big problems.
More Benjamin and Friends adventures are on the way—perfect for growing readers who love stories about friendship, discovery, and imagination.
R.G. de Rouen is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut and writes fiction that inspires a love of reading with a pinch of humor along the way. Throughout his 25+ years as an elementary teacher throughout the world, he has also been an advocate of animal and nature protection which he brings into his nonfiction stories.Books For Benjamin, his first picture book, has been widely recognized and received several awards, including the Readers' Favorite Silver Medal. Like his fictional character Benjamin, R.G. de Rouen can't live without books! Mother To Elephants, a non-fiction picture book biography, portrays the life of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Her dedication in rescuing baby orphan elephants in Kenya, serves as a great inspiration to children and adults alike. To find out more about the author, please visit him at rgderouen.com
Uliana Barabash is an illustrator from Ukraine. She studied at the Academy of Printing and has been drawing since childhood. Her love of children and children's books is evident in the vibrant colors she portrays. Uliana is inspired by all the details that nature has to offer.
