Lorena Quintana Bentz, of Magnolia, never saw herself writing children’s books, but instead she always aspired to write adult books. However, now a mother of three, she found herself trying to teach her children valuable life lessons and is now a published children’s book author.

Bentz is originally from Mexico, but has been living in Magnolia for about five years.

Her newly published book, Cowboy Bill and the Eighth Commandment, came to her after trying to teach her children about the word of God “in a fun, memorable way,” she explained.

Pictured, Bentz reading Cowboy Bill and the Eighth Commandment to a class at Rosehill Christian School.

Bentz said she feels as though children “get burnt out” listening to their parents attempt to teach them important things, so she created Cowboy Bill.

“(Cowboy Bill) is an exciting way of teaching kids something they can use,” she said.

At bedtime Bentz would tell her daughter stories about Cowboy Bill and eventually one of her children told her she should start writing her stories.

Nearly two years later a publishing company read Cowboy Bill and the Eighth Commandment and agreed to turn it into a children’s book.

In the story, Cowboy Bill is entertaining children with his cowboy tricks, such as swinging his rope around and lassoing a calf. The children ask him to tell them a story.

He agrees and tells them a story of a young man who wanted a candy bar from the store. His mother told him no, but while she wasn’t looking he put the candy bar in his boot.

The mother sees him with the candy bar once they are leaving the store and asks her son if anyone saw him. Naturally, her son says no, but the mother asks if God saw him.

Of course, the young man had not thought of that. He returns the candy bar to the store clerk. Cowboy Bill informs the children that he was the young man that stole the candy bar and he learned a valuable lesson that day.

Bentz said her goal is for Cowboy Bill to become a hero in the eyes of children. She said she believes children enjoy listening to other people.

Bentz read to Kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade students at Rosehill Christian School on Sept. 29.

After the story each student was asked what their favorite part of the story was. Most students agreed their favorite part was when Cowboy Bill realized what he had done and returned the candy bar.

“Kids really respond to this,” Bentz said.

She chose the character Cowboy Bill because she felt as though children could connect with him.

In addition, Bentz tries to inspire children to write. She asks each student if they were to write a book what it would be about.

She said she asks that question because she wants to continue to encourage children to write, whether it is their thoughts or a topic they are passionate about.

Bentz said her biggest passion is writing, so while she writes her children’s stories she is also writing a series of women’s books and returning to school.

At the beginning of each reading Bentz asks each student to sign her book.

“That’s my inspiration,” she said about the children signing the book.

She added that seeing all of the signatures in her book shows her how far she has reached with Cowboy Bill.

She said her greatest aspiration would be for Cowboy Bill to become a cartoon for children.

Bentz is working on other children’s book that will continue to include Cowboy Bill and teach valuable lessons.

For more information about Bentz or her book, visit CowboyBillBook.com.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed