Washington educator announces second Brin and Melly book after Amazon No. 1 debut

Washington educator and chainsaw artist Aaron Daniel Chavez is releasing Brin and Melly: The Secret Cave, the second book in his children’s adventure series, after the first title hit No. 1 New Release in Amazon’s Children’s Bear Books category. The new book goes up for Kindle preorder now, with the eBook due Oct. 29, 2026, and paperback on Nov. 18, 2026.

Why it matters: - Aaron Daniel Chavez is extending a children’s book series built from his real-world carvings, family references, and education career. - The new title follows a first-book Amazon No. 1 New Release result in the Children’s Bear Books category, giving the series added momentum. - The book is written for children ages 3 to 8 and is designed to spark conversations about friendship, teamwork, perseverance and individual strengths.

What happened: - Chavez announced Brin and Melly: The Secret Cave, the second book in his illustrated children’s adventure series. - The Kindle eBook is set for release on Oct. 29, 2026. - The paperback is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2026. - The book is available for preorder now. - The series follows Brin and Melly, characters inspired by Chavez’s chainsaw carvings and personal relationships.

The details: - Chavez is a Washington educator, author and chainsaw artist with more than 25 years of educational leadership experience in the United States and internationally. - The original Brin and Melly began in Guangzhou, China, while Chavez was serving as an international school leader. - Chavez created a chainsaw carving featuring a grizzly bear and an owl for Canadian international schools, and that carving helped shape the character of Brin. - Melly is a curious little owl named after Chavez’s granddaughter, Melody. - Chavez said Brin was imagined as a powerful but lonely bear who is feared by the other forest animals. - Chavez said the series is rooted in the idea that meaningful friendships often come from unexpected places. - The Secret Cave introduces Ari, a clever raven who collects shiny treasures, solves puzzles and carries stories passed down by his grandmother. - Ari was inspired by a carving Chavez made for Commander Erik Dippold and the U.S. Navy’s World Famous Black Ravens, Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ 135), based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. - Ari’s name was also borrowed from a member of Chavez’s family. - In the new story, Brin and Melly discover a hidden cave behind a waterfall in the Pacific Northwest. - Their search for a missing key leads them to Ari and an ancient mystery. - Brin brings courage, Melly brings curiosity and Ari brings wisdom. - Chavez said the third book in the series will be The Guardian of the Hidden Valley. - Chavez’s website is BrinandMelly.com. - Chavez also shared social links for Instagram and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The series turns Chavez’s carvings into a longer storytelling platform, linking his art practice to his work as an educator. - The emphasis on animals with distinct traits suggests a classroom-friendly format built around character strengths and social-emotional learning. - The repeated use of family and service references gives the books a personal origin story that may help them stand out in a crowded children’s market.

What’s next: - Readers can preorder the book now ahead of the Kindle launch on Oct. 29, 2026. - The paperback follows on Nov. 18, 2026. - Chavez says the story will continue in a third book, The Guardian of the Hidden Valley.

The bottom line: - Chavez is turning a chainsaw carving tradition into a growing children’s franchise with a clear focus on friendship, family and the value of unexpected connections.