The Adventures of Archibald and Jockabeb - In the Forest: 1 - Softcover

The first book in the series begins when Archibald and Jockabeb sneak out of their house at midnight to hunt for a secret cave that was marked on an old map they’d found earlier in the day. The two brothers, who are twelve and eleven, end up finding and entering the secluded cave hidden deep within an eerie forest. After the boys descend a stone staircase, they discover a subterranean lake where an underwater dragon lives. The underwater dragon is actually a young Indian brave, Haktu, who many years before was transformed into the dragon by four evil warriors of the Black Raven Tribe. After Archibald repeats the magic words, “Nito, Vito, Samu,” Haktu is returned to his natural body. The three young boys then run for their lives when they are chased by flying wolf-crows that are part snarling wolf and part giant black crow. This initial encounter begins Archibald’s and Jockabeb’s first amazing adventure—an incredible adventure that spans the next year. During that time, the two brothers become reacquainted with Haktu after they along with their younger sister, Tess, find his lost pony, Uno. Still pursued by the deadly wolf-crows, the boys learn more about Haktu’s family, including the details of how he was captured by the Black Raven warriors. When Haktu finally says good-bye, he gives Archibald a magic blue feather. The blue feather plays an important role in subsequent books as Archibald and Jockabeb find themselves in one life-threatening predicament after another. While the settings change from book to book, the two brothers always meet fascinating characters—some good, and some evil; some human, and some anything but; some from this world, and some otherworldly beyond belief. As the boys grow older and travel across the United States, and to faraway places like the Amazon, the Caribbean, the Arctic, and the Orient, they learn the true meaning of friendship. The reader also learns interesting facts about the various places Archibald and Jockabeb visit, while witnessing the classic battle between the forces of good and evil play out in different ways.

After retiring as a high successful chairman and CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Art Collins didn’t write the book on leadership that many had expected he would. Instead, he authored a series of books for older children and teenagers. The Adventures of Archibald and Jockabeb series chronicles two young brothers as they grow from twelve and eleven into their mid-teens, together with the harrowing adventures they experience along the way. In addition to serving to the boards of directors of four large corporations, Mr. Collins currently advises a private equity firm, serves on the boards of two academic institutions, and is involved in several charitable organizations. Over the years, he has testified before Congress, interacted with numerous governmental bodies inside and outside the United States, chaired his industry association group, and been recognized for his leadership in commercial and civic activities. An avid outdoorsman, he currently splits his time between Chicago and the Vail Valley in Colorado.