New Series Designed to Give Children a Foundation for Success Based on Traditional American Values

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - March 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Today there are so many factors in American culture influencing our children that many parents, teachers and mentors struggle to provide a strong foundation of self-esteem, character and values to set our children up for future success.  Recent headlines are ripe with information about the importance of early childhood education in shaping our children’s academic experience yet many children don’t fully grasp fundamental principles such as finding your talents, and the values of practice and hard work.  Based on his experiences as a youth wrestling coach and Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, author and businessman C. Austin Lee created the Declan Grows Up Series and founded the American Values Publishing Company (www.AmericanValuesPublishing.com).

The Declan Grows Up Series, written by C. Austin Lee and illustrated by Quinn Feeney Lee is meant for children 4-8 years old and is ideal for parents, teachers and mentors seeking a fun and interactive educational platform to teach and reinforce important fundamental lessons.  Each book in the series includes a lesson discussion guide and activity section to help facilitate a discussion on and reinforce each book’s core lesson.  

The first title, Declan Grows Up: It’s Just Not Fair, available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939097002/ref=as_li_ss_tl) and Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/declan-grows-up-c-austin-...), was recently released and illustrates that life is not always fair.  We are all born with different God-given skills, gifts and abilities.  We don't always get the skills and talents we wish we had, but the secret to life is discovering what our gifts are and learning how to use them to help ourselves and those around us.  The Little Lion Declan is frustrated that he can't dunk a basketball like Joey the giraffe but comes to realize that he has many other talents that he can grow and develop to help him throughout his life.

Author of Founders Fables, Laurie Cockerell, wrote on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939097002/ref=as_li_ss_tl):

“…It's an important message that our kids need to hear today in this society of "I want it now" and "I want it the way I want it." The mother in this story doesn't patronize her child, but instead gives him practical, common-sense advice about patience and hard work. It's refreshing to see a book that recognizes that life is not about "fairness", but instead about discovering our gifts - and that determination and effort are necessary for success.”

About American Values Publishing Company:

American Values Publishing Company, LLC (AVPC) was founded in July 2012 by businessman and author C. Austin Lee to bring products to market that reflect the traditional values Americas’ founders held dear.  AVPC produces books and other educational materials that simplify and teach lessons on topics including the values of hard work and practice, competition, problem solving, taking responsibility, finding your God-given skills and talents and creating your own success.

C. Austin Lee grew up outside Philadelphia and was fortunate to have parents that stressed the importance of being well rounded.  Growing up, he participated in many sports, was a Boy Scout earning his Eagle Scout, was active in his church and maintained a strong academic record.  He has spent the past 11 years working for Fortune 500 biotech and medical device manufacturers in positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, management, and business strategy.

Since his youth, Austin has always worked to give back to his community.  In college, he coached an inner-city youth wrestling team and in his spare time he has been a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization and a Board Member for the Westchester Children’s Association in White Plains, NY.  Austin found those experiences rewarding and saw the difference he was making in the lives of the children he worked with but wanted to make a greater impact.  He began writing the “Declan Grows Up” series to replicate the lessons he taught his wrestling team and “little brother” in a format that can impact children everywhere and founded the American Values Publishing Company.