An American Adventure in Adverbs and Adjectives represents our journey through this great country and all the incredible animals we meet along the way.
What starts out as a rabbit, “Rich” Ly, chasing a dream and losing his way but eventually learning to appreciate the life he left behind, following the rainbow in hopes of a better life without realizing how great his life already was back home with his best friend, “Devoted” Ly, he realizes very quickly that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Along his adventure to get back home, Rich not only meets the best of what the Forest has to offer, but also the worst. Luckily, his faithful friend, Devoted, is hot on his trail with her relentless pursuit to save him from the dangers and temptations of the Forest. In her quest to rescue her companion, she meets “Fearless” Ly, the baby dragon, and together they have an adventure of a lifetime. Not only do they conquer personal fears, building trust along the way with all the challenges they encounter. Will the lifelong companions be reunited before it’s too late, or is this just the beginning of the story?
VIDEO
The authors of “The Friend ‘Ly’ Forest” are excited to announce that a video retelling of their beloved book will be released in 2026, bringing the fascinating adventures and characters to life in a new and engaging format. An introductory teaser snippet is already available now on this web page, offering a special preview of the upcoming series.
The video content promises to be both fun and educational, introducing adverbs in a creative way that young children will love. Through memorable stories and lively animations, children will not only enjoy the journey through the forest but also develop a strong understanding of adverbs as they explore language alongside the endearing characters in “The Friend ‘Ly’ Forest.”
EDUCATION
Learning language from an early age is essential for children in the English-speaking world, as it builds the foundation for clear communication, reading, and writing skills that are crucial throughout life . Early exposure to language not only helps children express their thoughts and feelings confidently but also enhances their ability to learn new concepts as they grow. The English language, with its rich vocabulary and diverse forms, encourages creativity and deep thinking, empowering children to engage fully in school, social situations, and future careers.
Developing language skills early also improves a child’s listening ability, comprehension, and problem-solving skills . When children experience books, stories, and conversations, they acquire the building blocks of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation—all of which are vital for academic achievement and personal growth. As they interact with others in English, children learn to appreciate differences, ask questions, and participate actively in their communities. By fostering strong language skills in the formative years, educators and parents pave the way for lifelong success and enjoyment in the English language.
The book “The Friend ‘Ly’ Forest” draws inspiration from the classic Schoolhouse Rock lessons, reimagining their educational spirit for today’s generation of young learners . With its lively storytelling and illustrated adventures, the book updates the engaging approach of Schoolhouse Rock by blending animated characters and memorable journeys with practical language lessons, especially focusing on adverbs and descriptive language. Through relatable stories and modern themes, “The Friend ‘Ly’ Forest” offers children a fresh and accessible way to experience grammar and vocabulary, making learning both fun and meaningful in a world increasingly shaped by technology and new ideas.
Rick Ly
Born on February 21, 1975, in Vietnam and given the name Uy-Tri Ly, Rick was lucky enough to escape the fallen country along with his big brother Uy-Nhung Ly as toddlers, separated from their parents Linh Dao and Ve-Dan Ly for nearly a year. They were finally reunited with their parents in Texas in 1978 largely due to the help of their aunts who already immigrated to the USA.
After getting his citizenship, Uy-Tri formally changed his name to Richard Uy-Tri Ly, honoring his Uncle Richard, a US Marine who met his parents during his tour of duty in Vietnam and has been an influential figure in his family since. Richard prefers to be called “Rick” by all his friends and family.
Currently, he is a proud US Army Reserve Dental Officer and has honorably served our country since 1994 when he first enlisted as an army medic. In his other professional life, Rick is a general dentist practicing in Suffolk County, Long Island for Gentle Dental by Dental365.
Brandon Ly
Co-author and son, Brandon Daniel, “Fearless” Ly, was born on July 16, 2012, and changed Rick’s life forever. Not only is he the best son Rick could ever have hoped for, he is also the main inspiration behind their children’s book, along with honoring his grandparents and their great country, the United States of America.
Brandon is currently entering the sixth grade and loves sports, especially baseball and hockey, but spends most of his free time playing Roblox. More importantly, he represents the next generation of proud patriots who love their country. This book emphasizes some of the amazing people who have significant impact on their lives, including one of the featured animals in their book inspired by Adelaide “Courageous” Ewing, who also helped Brandon with a few of the illustrations in The Friend “Ly” Forest.”
