A Pacific Northwest picture book series
Sometimes the bravest hearts come in the most unlikely pair. Written and carved into being by author, educator, and chainsaw artist Aaron Chavez.
Deep in the Pacific Northwest, a strong but lonely grizzly bear named Brin meets a tiny, talkative owl named Melly, and his whole world changes.
The Brin & Melly Adventures
A growing picture book series about friendship, courage, and finding your way, set deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Sometimes, the bravest hearts come in the most unlikely pair. Deep in the Pacific Northwest, a strong but lonely grizzly bear named Brin meets a tiny, talkative owl named Melly, who changes his world forever.
Together, they explore the forest, share laughter, and help their animal friends when a wildfire threatens everything they love.
Buy on Amazon ↗Release date: October 29, 2026
A Story About Friendship, Courage, and Finding Your WayBrin and Melly are back, and this time, they’re not alone. Joined by a sharp eyed raven named Ari, the three friends find a hidden cave behind a waterfall.
What waits inside will test their courage and their friendship in ways the forest never has before.
Buy on Amazon ↗Release date: December 1, 2026
A Story About Friendship, Courage, and Finding Your WayThe Hidden Valley holds a secret. Dragon Mountain holds a legend.
Brin, Melly, and Ari continue their adventure as friendship, courage, and an ancient guardian lead them deeper into the mysteries of the Pacific Northwest.
Buy on Amazon ↗From the back cover“Sometimes, the bravest hearts come in the most unlikely pair.”The story that started it all, inspired by the original Brin and Melly sculpture Aaron carved in Guangzhou, China.
About the author
Aaron Chavez with the original Brin and Melly carving.
Aaron Chavez has spent more than twenty five years serving students, families, and communities as a teacher, principal, superintendent, executive director, and international school leader. Throughout his career, one belief has guided his work: people often become what they believe they can become.
Long before Aaron became an educator, he worked as a cement mason and learned the value of hard work, craftsmanship, and seeing potential where others might not. Those lessons would later shape both his leadership and his art.
After his family purchased forty acres of timber near Newport, Washington, Aaron took up chainsaw carving as a way to improve his wellness and create balance in a busy life. What began as a personal outlet soon grew into a passion and a second career. Today, he owns and operates CarvingRetreat.com, where he teaches others the art of chainsaw carving.
Years later, while working in Guangzhou, China, Aaron carved a grizzly bear with an owl where his heart would be. The bear was strong but lonely. The owl was small, curious, and fearless. What started as a carving quickly became something more.
That sculpture became Brin and Melly.
Inspired by the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the series follows two unlikely friends as they explore hidden places, face challenges together, and discover that courage, kindness, and friendship can change everything.
Aaron now lives in Washington State, where he continues to lead schools, create chainsaw sculptures, teach carving retreats, and write stories inspired by characters first imagined in a piece of wood thousands of miles from home.
Because great carvings tell stories, and sometimes those stories become books.
Twenty five years, three chapters
Twenty five plus years leading schools and districts across Washington State and abroad, learning that every child, like every stump, has a story worth uncovering.
Chainsaw in hand, Aaron began transforming raw timber into bears, owls, and dragons, a craft of patience, precision, and knowing when to stop carving.
A single carving in Guangzhou became Brin and Melly, now a growing picture book series about friendship, courage, and finding your way home.
“Melly is named after my granddaughter, Melody. Every story I carve, I carve for her.”Aaron Chavez
The chainsaw artist
Every Brin and Melly character begins as raw timber. This is the original sculpture that inspired the friendship at the heart of the series.
A grizzly bear and a curious little owl, carved together before their story ever reached the page.
From wood to story
Before they became books, Brin, Melly, and the dragon were pieces of timber, shaped by hand and shared with students.
Amazon reader review
“View Brin and Melly on Amazon ↗I loved this book with its positive message of friendship and courage! It’s an ageless message. There’s so much that could be talked about when reading this book.
Teresa L. SandVerified Purchase · Amazon.com
Teachers and schools
Virtual author visitInvite Aaron Chavez for a motivational virtual book talk that connects storytelling, art, and learning.
Aaron shares how a chainsaw carving in China became Brin and Melly, then walks students through the process of developing the characters and turning an idea into a book series. The conversation encourages students to set meaningful goals, keep learning new skills, and understand that big accomplishments begin with a first step.
ChavezCarving@icloud.com
Get in touch
School visits, speaking engagements, carving commissions, press inquiries, or just a note from a fellow forest dweller, Aaron would love to hear from you.
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