Bennie the Brute

by Anna David, Ila Bologni (illustrator)

Bennie the Brute is based on the real-life adventures of Benjamin James Agnew-David (aka The Bud).

A true love letter to a child written by a first-time mom, Bennie the Brute shows what motherhood is like when you marvel at every last mundane aspect of your beloved child, simply because it's your child.

Both a Cancer and a kid who loves nothing more than banging on anything that can make a lot of noise, The Bud is either the sweetest tough guy or the toughest sweet guy on the playground.

He was born on July 10, 2023, and was so gorgeous at birth that the nurse who took a picture for his files insisted on taking two so his parents could keep one.

From day one, he made his appetite known and by the time he was three months old, he’d hit the 100th percentile for height. Though he far prefers to throw food on the ground than to place it in his mouth—and would much rather munch on cords, sticks, sand or anything that could cause harm and/or sickness—he still manages to consume notable quantities of whatever is placed in front of him.

He lives in Los Angeles with his Bud-obsessed parents and cranky-looking cat, Bernie.

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2024

About the author

Anna David is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books and the founder of Legacy Launch Pad Publishing. A three-time TEDx speaker, she has appeared on Good Morning America, Today Show, The Talk and dozens of other programs.

Anna has also written for the New York Times, Time, Playboy, Vanity Fair and the Huffington Post, among many others, and been written about in such publications as Entrepreneur, Martha Stewart magazine and Forbes.

Her first novel, Party Girl, is in development as a feature film and she's the on-air book critic for KATU Portland. Her company has published over 50 books, many of which have become Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestsellers.

She lives in Hollywood with her boyfriend, filmmaker Jim Agnew, their son Benjamin and their cranky-looking cat Bernie.

Reviews

[Cecily Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning literacy is an essential life skill that starts early on. For younger kids, I always choose books that have fun rhythms and rhymes, colorful illustrations, and a cute storyline—all of which Bennie the Brute has! Honestly the title is a bit misleading because any caregiver of a young rambunctious child would be jealous of how sweet Bennie is. Sure, he bangs on things and puts whatever’s in reach in his mouth, but don’t most kids do that? Honestly, I want a part two to this book to explain more about why Bennie’s a brute! And also to see more of Ila Taylor Bologni’s adorable illustrations. Particularly liked the one with Bennie eating leaves at the park.

Overall, this is a great read for kids aged 3-6 (and for caregivers trying to manifest Bennie’s sweetness in their own sassy kids). Literacy is something we never stop learning; I actually had to look up what “aplomb” meant after I saw the word in this book! Pretty impressive.

[Christina Granados · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Bennie the Brute" is simply a love letter to Bennie, the author's son, Benjamin, the real child himself. We learn that Bennie's astrological sign in Cancer, that he loves to eat, is a healthy 100th percentile baby, and takes the reader on meandering adventures in Bennie's life. The illustrations are cute.

Though I found the story to be a mother's sweet documentation of her son, I did not find the book anchored in any cohesive narrative structure about Bennie, simply random facts strung together. The rhymes sometimes seem to prioritize sound over natural flow. I wished Bennie's experiences were written as a vehicle for broader childhood learning vs just primarily focuses on sharing facts about Bennie himself, which, while sweet, may limit its appeal and educational value for a wider audience of children.

[Melinda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked the most about this book was the adorable characters and rhyming throughout the story. It was like a well-written poem. I love poetry and rhyming so that was a lot of fun to read. I also loved the pictures which complimented the book well. There wasn't anything about the book that I didn't like. What I took away from the book was that the main character was quite a character for such a young child. I did trust the author because she did such a good job writing the book and I enjoyed it. There wasn't anything that I felt the book needed more of or that it needed less of. The book did ultimately give me what I was expecting, and anyone can read and have a good experience with this book. I recommend the book to people of all age, and I want to say that my recommendation is appropriate for a children's book.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute is a fun and endearing read for adults and children alike. The warm and colorful illustrations create a cozy and inviting story for kids to enjoy as they get to know Bennie the Brute. There was only one line about impeachment that I thought might go over a child’s head - but, as with most children’s stories, there is a level of appeal for both adults and children in the language and humor. I loved getting to know the people in Bennie’s life and seeing how he interacted with each individual. From his friend Alfie to his cat Bernie, Bennie has a support system that will encourage child readers in their own lives and relationships. Through all the love and support Bennie receives along the way, Bennie the Brute will give readers an appreciation for the big and small moments in a child’s life - no matter how much of a brute that child is!

[Joan Mabansag · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cute Mommy-Son read with Lovely Illustrations

Readers can really tell how author Anna David’s sincere love for her son just drips with each page, and their dynamic amongst the pages was really the highlight of the reading experience – along with the adorable illustrations. However, I think some of the rhyming was contrived at times or some of the themes in the book are inappropriate for the pre-K to Kindergarten reading level. Words like “aplomb” and references to the zodiac and being “girl-crazy” may not be the most appropriate subject matter. It’s definitely a really cute and heartfelt read – a bonafide loveletter from a mother to her son – but I can’t imagine a child picking up a book like this on their own.

[Josiah Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book has a great charm and definitely a very cute dedication to the author’s child. The illustrations are all very colorful and keep the theme very cutesy and fun for the kids to look at while reading. My only complaint about this book would be the vocabulary. There are a few words and phrases in this children’s book that would definitely take some explaining for the children, and maybe even a google search for the parent/reader! So for a book labeled for ages 1-5 I feel the vocabulary may be a bit too high, but had this been labeled for ages 6-9 I feel it would have been a better fit. It is honestly a very cute story though and would recommend to families with younger children!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

What first drew me to "Bernie the Brute" were the bright, beautifully simplistic illustrations. Whether you read this book with your child or have them read it on their own, they're going to be drawn to how cute Bernie, his family, his cat, and everything around him is illustrated! However, the story was adorably sweet as well. It's reminiscent of my own nephew, who came to mind because he's also a very big baby. I find that these kind of stories are great for developing children who need practice with more expanded vocabulary. There were some big words in here, but like I mentioned, it's always good to practice this with your little ones. Definitely want to pick up a physical copy to gift to my nephew and his mother!

[Kathryn Huggins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flow is choppy with some difficult words and concepts for a children’s book

I would not recommend this book. There are words in the book that I personally feel are not little kid friendly, like cancer/zodiac sign, impeach, percentile, baller, aplomb. As a parent reading to a child, I don’t enjoy stopping a story to explain the meaning/concepts related to vocabulary used in a child’s book. There is some rhyming in the book however it is not consistent. The rhythm/flow of the story is choppy. The illustrations however, are adorable. This is a nice book for the author and her friends and family, but in my opinion it does not work for the general public. This book seemed very long. It was not an enjoyable read.

[Jessica Spinner]

Bennie the Brute by Anna David is a striking blend of humor and raw emotion that delves into the complexities of modern relationships. The story centers around Bennie, a character whose larger-than-life persona and charming yet flawed nature drive the narrative. David's sharp, witty writing and keen observations create a vivid portrayal of Bennie's world, full of both comic and poignant moments. While the plot occasionally feels uneven, the ultimate impact of the novel lies in its honest exploration of love, self-worth, and personal growth. David's ability to balance levity with deep emotional insight makes Bennie the Brute a memorable and engaging read.

[LadyMac Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

What I likes most about the book was its illustration and while I know it is a child’s book the juvenile rhyming was off putting. I also did not care for the use of “aplomb” which came off kind of random given the cadence. Just…no.

I think had it not been 27 pages of mind numbing rhyming it would have been nice little read. Most of the statements could have been left out. It is a story of an infant that was not worth 27 pages.

As a mother of 6, with two young ones to read such a book to, I can say with confidence that I do not recommend the book to anyone unless they would like to view it for its imagery.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a love story to the (big) baby Bennie. He will love it as will his parents, but I don't see it being a children's book hit. The illustrations are cute enough, but the two Bs in the title are different fonts, and that gets my OCD going. The story has very awkward rhythmic cadence making it hard to read aloud, and there are lots of words I wouldn't expect to see in a children's book because early learners wouldn't have any idea what they mean (baller, slacker, impeach, Cancer, aplomb). This is an awesome book for Bennie and his family but, unfortunately, I would not recommend it for others.

[Lynn Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a robust child who is basically happy and well adjusted. Some children could possibly relate to some of the scenes, but at other times, some of the references wouldn’t make sense to a child of a toddler age. The book has cute pictures and are very simple and self explanatory so that a child could grasp them. Sometimes the rhymes the author comes up with seem a bit farfetched. On one of the first pages when she says “the kid is a baller” I didn’t find the term particularly endearing and I’m not sure a parent would like teaching their child that name. Cute book but I wouldn’t put it in my top 10 for children’s books.

[Tammy Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute is cute!

This is a sweet book written by the author about her own child. Bennie reminds me of our daughter (she was a chucky one too!). No spoiler alerts here, but he seems like he's got a great family and life so far. The vocabulary in this story was at times a bit higher than some children might understand, but it would help them with using context clues. The author was very creative with her rhymes, which led to her using these higher-level words. It does jump around from one event to another, but then again, so do small children!! :) I would read it to my first grade class as an example of how to use poetry to tell a story.

[Marissa Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you’re deep in the throws of parenthood, it can be easy to forget to give yourself some grace and savor every moment. This book serves as a lovely tribute from the author to her son, capturing all the small milestones our little ones reach as they embark on a world that is completely brand new. I particularly love how it highlights the various relationships in Bennie's life, from friends to family, showing the network of support that surrounds him. I will say, the vocabulary might be a bit advanced for toddlers, and at times, the rhyming felt somewhat forced. Even so, it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child and reflect on the precious memories of their early years!

[Burcu B.Calimli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book content is very fluent and cute. The book is visualized in a way that will attract the child's attention and the rhythmic words it contains help to distract the child while reading the book. However, there is a subject, whether this subject is positive or negative depends on your child. The difference in the words used is very useful for enriching the exploratory vocabulary, but it is also different enough to cause some children to lose interest. My experience has been positive. It allowed me to teach new words in a rhythmic way. This book is perfect for those who want variety and like short stories.

[Misty Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with the charming pictures, the most enjoyable part of reading this book was witnessing the interaction between the mother and kid, which is evident in the author Anna David's genuine love for her son. On the other hand, I don't think the book is suitable for a pre-K to kindergarten reading level because of some of the subjects or the forced rhymes. Perhaps it's best to steer clear of language like "aplomb" and mentions of the zodiac or being "girl-crazy"... It's a genuine love letter from a mother to her son, and it's a sweet and touching read, but I don't think a kid would read it on their own.

[Marisa Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute by Anna David is a book full of love. Written about the author’s son, we get to know all sides of Bennie. The story shares how he can be shy initially, his big appetite, and even his astrology sign. All the little details shared of Bennie make it relatable for kids and parents alike. While the story is cute, it seemed to jump about and could have flowed more smoothly. The rhyming was also fun, but some vocabulary was advanced for a children’s book. The story was still one many will enjoy!

[Alisha Drumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children’s book is a cute and humorous, true story about a unique but relatable baby. A modern, All-American tale that both kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Although on the lengthier side and with advanced words for a children’s book, the vibrant illustrations and lighthearted rhymes make it a quick read.

The many ordinary but special moments in a baby’s day and life are captured creatively. You can really gage that Bennie the Brute is not only living life to the fullest but truly loved by many.

[Melanie Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute is a beautifully illustrated children’s book filled with bright colors and references from the author’s real-life experiences with her child. The modernity of the book is undeniable, with occasional mentions of zodiac signs and celebrities; this may be a negative or positive for some. The rhyming was clearly prioritized in the creation of the book, with the author opting for larger words such as aplomb for the sake of maintaining rhyme schemes. Despite this, parents will find this to be an easy read to enjoy with their little ones.

[Kendra Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through witty descriptions and heartfelt moments, the story captures the essence of early childhood in all its chaotic glory.

Bennie the Brute is a delightful read that will resonate with parents, especially those who have experienced the whirlwind of raising a young child. The book’s humor, warmth, and vivid characterizations make it a heartwarming tribute to the joys and challenges of parenthood. It’s a celebration of life’s messy, noisy, and ultimately beautiful moments, all centered around a child who is as tough as he is sweet.

[Lori A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a different style of children’s book. It showcases a mother’s love for her son by documenting his reactions and experiences. And though it doesn’t contain a traditional plot, every mother reading will relate to and perhaps recall these moments with their own children. The illustrations are colorful and complement the text which is sometimes advanced and will have some readers reaching for a dictionary. 😉

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern Day Kids Story

Move over Jack and the Beanstalk because Bennie the Brute! is coming in hot. Modern day twist on a fun kids story. Witty wording is woven into this story that captures and celebrates the differences of younger children. Throughout the story, there are little seeds planted that demonstrate the author's drive toward a more relatable children's tale that incorporates modern day parents and a slight hint of pop culture. Fun read!

[Darrah Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bennie the Brute" has fun characters (especially Bennie, of course) and the illustrations are wonderful, very beautifully drawn. What I like most about this book is that it reads like the writer wrote a biography of her own child, which I think is an adorable idea. It makes me want to do the same for my own children once I become a mom, so I can read my children's baby stories to my grandkids if I ever have any.

[Tiara Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute is a light-hearted book good for younger kids still learning to read. That said, if you're looking for something more thematic or plot-centered, it may not be the right fit. The illustrations were vibrant and engaging, but some of the lines felt a bit hard to understand and out of place for a children's novel. But if you're simply looking for a colorful new addition to build your child's habit of reading, this could be a good start!

[Erynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute is a sweet book. You can tell his mom, the author, loves every little thing about him. It seems she mentions all of her favorite things about Bennie throughout the book. Which may feel like jumping around in the story. The illustrations are adorable and I found it very sweet how other loved ones were included in the book. The book has great rhythm which makes it fun to read to children. Overall it is a very cute book, especially for Bennie.

[Danielle Mathison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bennie is adorable, story not so much

The story is okay. It is not engaging enough, and doesn’t flow. The book is set to little rhymes that give an explanation about why Bennie is a brute. The rhyming at times seems forced, and some of the rhymes aren't the best. There are some words that are not geared towards children and would require an explanation for a young child. On the other hand, the illustrations were bright and appealing.

[Scott Shirey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute is a cute children’s story about a large but loveable baby boy. While there is some good vocabulary, sometimes the need to rhyme feels more forced than natural. The illustrations are more captivating than the text as the colors and shapes are bold and vibrant. I don’t see Bennie the Brute catching on like Goodnight Moon, Peppa Pig, Pete the Cat, or other beloved childhood favorites. However, it would be a nice book in the nursery for some bedtime rhyming and reading.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both full-hearted and relatable. The author charmingly illustrates her perspective of her young son’s blossoming personality and growth through the eyes of unconditional love. Anyone, especially those of us with children of our own, will certainly empathize with the “brute” power that our little ones have in invading and capturing our hearts!

[Shawna Driggers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennie the Brute was an adorable book that really showed a glimpse into this sweet babies life! My kids enjoyed reading about how his mom is a total Swiftie and could really relate to a lot of his everyday life!
My 6 year old can read it all by himself and it’s so cute listening to him laughing as he read certain parts!

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the book. The pictures were cute. Some of the vocabulary used wasn’t working for a children’s book. I also thought the rhyming was a stretch and didn’t flow at times. I think the idea is sweet. One of my kids was a Bennie, sweet & cute but above the 99th Percentile so it is definitely relatable.