New Children's Book
Alden and the Light That Blinked Back
By Dr. Brandon Croud
A little boy. A mysterious blinking light. An extraordinary friendship.
When Alden notices a tiny light blinking in the night sky, he never imagines it will lead him to Lumi, a gentle visitor from the stars.
Together, they discover that friendship, kindness, and connection can shine brighter than the things that make us different.
A beautifully illustrated bedtime adventure for children ages 3–7.
Paperback | $17.99 | Available on Amazon
Meet Alden & Lumi
Every night, Alden and his dad share a special tradition: looking up at the moon and stars.
But one evening, a mysterious light blinks back.
What begins as a moment of curiosity turns into an extraordinary friendship when Alden meets Lumi, a gentle visitor from the stars.
Although they look completely different, Alden soon discovers they have more in common than he ever imagined.
Through their unlikely friendship, Alden learns that being different doesn't have to mean being afraid, and that some of life's most wonderful discoveries begin with a little curiosity.
A heartwarming adventure about friendship, kindness, individuality, and seeing beyond our differences.
What Families Are Saying
Alden and Lumi are already finding their way into bedtime routines and family story times. Here's what readers are saying about their adventure.
"This is one of my daughter's favorite bedtime stories! It's so sweet and gentle you and your little one won't be disappointed!"
— Verified Amazon reader review
"My grandchildren love it. The message in the book resonated with them and me and it's quickly become a bedtime favourite. We need more of them it would make a lovely series of books that will stay relevant over the years."
— Amazon reader review
"I can't wait to read it to them and the next time I have a baby shower to go to and they say bring a book instead of a card I'm buying this book."
— Amazon reader review
Why I Wrote the Book
This book really started with my son, Alden.
From a very young age, he's been fascinated by the moon. And I mean fascinated. If we're outside and he spots it in the sky, you'd think he'd just discovered it for the first time.
Doesn't matter if he saw it yesterday. Or the day before. Every single time, it's like the greatest thing he's ever seen.
And honestly? Watching him experience that kind of wonder has been one of the greatest gifts of being his dad.
As I've gone through my own spiritual journey, I've started looking at the world a little differently. And somewhere along the way, I realized something about Alden.
He doesn't need anyone to teach him how to be curious. He doesn't need someone to tell him there's more to the world than what we can see.
He already approaches life that way.
And I started wondering when the hell so many of us adults stopped doing the same thing.
That's where this story came from.
I wanted to create something inspired by those little moments we've shared looking at the sky. Something that celebrates curiosity, friendship, and the idea that being different doesn't have to mean being afraid.
But I also wanted to write a story that parents could enjoy reading with their kids. One that might spark a conversation, a question, or maybe just another reason to look up at the stars together.
I don't want to tell children what they should believe. I want them to know it's okay to wonder, to ask questions, and to discover the world for themselves.
And while I'm incredibly proud of this book, the truth is that Alden deserves most of the credit.
He's the little boy who reminded his dad how incredible it is to see the world with fresh eyes.
Turns out, sometimes our greatest teachers are the ones we're supposed to be teaching.
About the Author
Dr. Brandon Croud is an author, father, spiritual guide, and lifelong believer that there's more to life than what we can see.
With a doctorate in Metaphysical Science from the University of Sedona, Brandon has spent years exploring consciousness, intuition, and the questions that make life so fascinating.
But some of his greatest lessons haven't come from books, classrooms, or spiritual experiences.
They've come from being a dad.
Inspired by his son Alden's endless curiosity and fascination with the moon, Brandon wrote Alden and the Light That Blinked Back to celebrate imagination, friendship, individuality, and the wonder children seem to find so effortlessly.
It's his first children's book and, he hopes, the beginning of many adventures with Alden and Lumi.
Bring a Little Wonder Home
Sometimes the most meaningful stories begin with a simple question, a little curiosity, and someone willing to look up at the stars.
Join Alden and Lumi on a heartwarming adventure about friendship, kindness, and discovering that our differences don't have to keep us apart.
A beautifully illustrated bedtime story for children ages 3–7.
Paperback | $17.99 | Available on Amazon