During an interview Tuesday at the Los Alamos Daily Post, Evan Reynolds-Laemmle, 6, shows off the book he co-authored with his father Michael Laemmle. Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Six-year-old Los Alamos resident Evan Reynolds-Laemmle loves telling stories. His mother, Amber Reynolds, said he can go on and on telling tales in a stream of consciousness.

“They are extremely detailed,” she said.

His father, Michael Laemmle added that his son’s stories are not just the product of a young boy’s run-away imagination, but they have been invaluable.

Laemmle jokingly recalled the time when he was pulled over for speeding and his son entertained the police officer with a tale about a butt monster. The officer was so entertained that Laemmle did not receive a ticket.

Laemmle himself has an interest in writing as well as a background in art: he was a director for an art gallery in Santa Fe.

As a result, father and son decided to combine their interests and write a children’s book. The self-published book is titled Portals and Dreamscapes and is available to purchase on Amazon.

The book, which is like an encyclopedia of different fantastic monsters and other creatures, features Reynolds-Laemmle’s drawings as well as clever rhymes about each creature.

Reynolds-Laemmle said his personal favorite monster is a spider-like creature that was partially inspired by vampires.

Laemmle said basically the book picks up his son’s ideas and adds some layers to them.

Creating the book, he added, was a chance to “really get inside Evan’s mind … bounce ideas off him … it was a unique bonding experience for both of us.”

Work on the book started a year ago and it was officially published in May.

Laemmle said writing the first book was a real learning experience not only in crafting the story but also learning Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher and well as the tools Amazon provides for self-published authors.

He added that the ability to self-publish through Amazon is a great feature; especially for young authors such as Reynolds-Laemmle.

“I think it is a great opportunity for these young kids … to have (their books) out in the world,” Laemmle said.

The experience also helped prepare them for their next book, which Laemmle said should be produced quicker.

What did Reynolds-Laemmle learn from his debut book?

“Imagination is good,” he explained.

As for his father, “just to put in the time and plow through it and learn the things you don’t know,” Laemmle said. “It’s just about putting your nose to the grindstone.”

Reynolds-Laemmle, who attends Mountain Elementary School, and will enter first grade next school year, said he did take Portals and Dreamscapes to show and tell, which earned him accolades from his teacher and friends.

His next work, which he said has a character made out of goo named  “Annihilist”, will surely continue to win praise from readers and critics.