The Living Project

“She leaves home in pursuit of a dream…and her father.”

The Adventures of Ai is a novel written by international entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author Craig Bouchard*, who, inspired by his three precocious daughters, built an engrossing story of encouragement around an eleven-year-old Japanese explorer. It is a story spilling over with an odd combination of kindness and determination. The target audience is all children ages eight through fourteen and their tiger parents. The story has been released globally in a book and video game.

The adventure takes place in the year 1514, at the birth of the Renaissance. Aided by friends including walking trees, animal companions, a large crane which transports her through the mountains, and a young boy named Jinsei, she encounters dangers that require her to unlock her potential. In other words, be confident, strong, and intelligent in order to survive and return home to her mother.

Besides promoting the power of possibility, the story of Ai is subtly designed to prepare pre-teens for the pressures they will encounter in later years. It also encourages philanthropy from an early age and facilitates this ideal with a global video game competition, the World Charity Cup, that benefits child-related charities around the world.

The importance of this work transcends global boundaries.

World Charity Cup: Launch

Ronald McDonald House in Chicago
Over 1,000 live stream attendees

Cliff Koroll, Chicago Blackhawk legend

Chicago Blackhawk Duncan Keith

Two-time Norris Trophy winner, Olympic Gold Medal winner, Co-Captain Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk

Chicago Cubs mascot Clark

Ronald McDonald

I would highly recommend this book to all families. There are chapters and adventures in the book that I am sure anyone can relate to. I don’t want to give away too much but the book twists fiction and non-fiction and when it turns fiction you become hooked. Ai is an amazing character that you want to know everything about and can’t put the book down until you know everything about her.
Liz Hendricks, Truth Teller Mom, http://truthtellermom.com
Besides painting a beautiful tale through the use of fantasy, Craig Bouchard incorporates art, history, poetry, music, and even some math through the story.
Melissa, More Time 2 Teach, http://moretime2teach.blogspot.com
With Craig’s innovative thinking and leadership to support deserving charities around the globe, we truly look forward to seeing how the gaming world is revolutionized…
Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana

Book and App: Launch

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago

Sister Rosemary, Founder of Misericordia Hearts of Mercy; Chicago Cub and MLB All-Star Ryan Dempster; Robert Li, CEO of Manteck Services; Dr. Marleta Reynolds, Surgeon-in-Chief; Joel Quenneville, Head Coach, Chicago Blackhawks

What do all these world-famous people have in common?

They love kids, and do something about it. They give of themselves for the love of mankind.

They are philanthropists!
Kids can be philanthropists too.

“The power of hope can overwhelm the emptiness of loss. But only if you allow it.”

Group Shot, L to R: Sister Rosemary, Ryan Dempster with son Brady, Craig T. Bouchard, Robert Li, Dr. Marleta Reynolds, Joel Quenneville.

From the Book…

“Inside her, a spark turned into a flame. She realized that the beauty of the boy was not in his physical appearance, and already she missed him.”

“She walked into a circular room not at all like a cave. It was more like a reservoir of history, a room full of beautiful carvings and painted scenes faded with age. She wanted to absorb it all, though some of the art was primitive and hard to understand. She turned in a circle and her history lesson began.”

“High above, the boy lay quietly between his cranes. The man in the moon seemed so close he could almost touch him. Honmei landed on the edge of the nest and found his place. The female crane unfolded and spread a wing over the boy’s legs. On the opposite side, the male crane unfolded a larger wing and spread it over his shoulders and head. The night went dark and the boy fell asleep.”