A man in a brown coat and top hat uses tongs to hold a lit firecracker inside the open mouth of a large green dragon with yellow scales. The dragon is breathing smoke and fire, and the scene is set outdoors on grass with a mountainous landscape and a castle in the background.
A man in a brown coat and top hat uses tongs to hold a lit firecracker inside the open mouth of a large green dragon with yellow scales. The dragon is breathing smoke and fire, and the scene is set outdoors on grass with a mountainous landscape and a castle in the background. 
A New Children’s Book

How the Chimney Sweep Got His Luck

A whimsical tale of dragons, fireplaces, and the surprising source of good fortune.

Coming Soon!

Illustration of a grassy field with white and yellow flowers, pine trees, and snow-capped mountains in the background.
Blue open book with sparkles and star-shaped glimmer above it, watercolor style

Magical Stories

Books that spark imaginations and cozy bedtime adventures for children of all ages.

Cute cartoon green dragon with yellow wings and belly, sitting upright.

Timeless Lessons

Heartwarming stories that teach children timeless lessons to carry with them forever.

Blue watercolor painting of a rocking chair with a heart-shaped cutout in the backrest.

For Little Readers

Beautifully illustrated books perfect for story time together with the entire family.

An illustrated open book showing a story about chimney sweeps and dragons, with a colorful drawing of a man in a top hat sleeping with a small green dragon beside a fireplace. 
Book Snippet

“Long ago, chimney sweeps very rarely worked on chimneys. They were dragon doctors. As people increased in number in the land, the dragons decreased, until over time there wasn’t enough dragon work and the sweeps took to chimney work nearly exclusively.”

A painting of a smiling older man with a beard, wearing a blue button-up shirt. The background features a fantasy scene with a castle, a young boy in a boat holding a magic wand, a dragon, and a starry sky. The photo has the name 'Bob Ferrari' written at the bottom. 
Once upon a time...

Meet the Author

I was kicked out of prep school but finished in public high school. After graduation I bummed around skiing when I could and wandering. I lived an entire year, including 5 months on Maui, on $250. Got married at 19 after knowing my girl about 5 weeks. I met her in Texas where I lived on a commune near Nacogdoches. We’ve married each other 3 times but have never been separated or divorced.

I’ve eaten bugs. Taught creative survival. I delivered my youngest child in our cabin under the eyes of a midwife. We have 3 children and nine grandchildren. One of our children and one grandchild died in the same year. I have been undone by the deepest grief and held together by profound joy. Most of my writing is informed by joy and sorrow.

I started the chimney business in 1984 with $60. My business had two locations and a hearth store when I sold it in 2020. I served on national chimney association boards and international councils providing technical training in all aspects of combustion, safety, environmental, and business expertise. In 2021 I was presented the prestigious President’s Award from the National Chimney Sweep Guild, for service to the industry.

My success has been in creating a stable, productive family all of whom freely express love to one another. I’m lucky to have the energy and health to stand on the high places.

Vocationally I am a chimney sweep. Beyond that I’m just a man.

A watercolor-style photograph of a smiling couple, Bob and Marina Ferrari, standing outdoors in front of a snow-capped mountain, possibly the Matterhorn, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background. They are dressed in outdoor hiking gear.

  • I believe in the magic of fire.

  • I dislike school, but I love learning.

  • I have climbed frozen waterfalls and been 2000’ off the ground on rock faces.

  • I get sarcastic, cynical, and make humorous (to me), cutting comments if I’m bored.

  • I spend time outside, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, skiing, and a bit of travel.

  • I have climbed in many places including Denali in Alaska, Pik Lenin in Kyrgyzstan, Mount Ararat in Turkey, Monte Rosa in the Alps, and many smaller peaks in the USA and California where I live.

  • I’m best at seeing things from odd vantage points and finding creative ways to articulate ideas.

  • I’m usually coloring outside of the lines. When a group is on unfamiliar ground that’s where I shine.

  • I’m not disorganized. However, I use organization as a platform to launch into uncharted territory rather than as an arrival point.

  • Do not ask me to manage money.

  • If I could be anything I would be a story teller who would open new perceptions for people.

Download Our Coloring Sheets

Download our free coloring sheets for kids: printable, engaging, and illustrations that spark creativity, learning, and hours of artistic fun. Stay tuned for the full coloring book!

There's something special about fire...

It’s where we gather, for food, warmth, and romance, and staring into it sparks our imagination. But like any powerful thing, it must be treated with care — just like the dragon in this story.

How the Chimney Sweep Got His Luck is a whimsical story inspired by old folktales. It reminds us that luck can come from unexpected places, and that the very best luck is the kind we share.

A boy and girl sitting on a blue armchair reading a storybook with stars, surrounded by a teddy bear, a sleeping dog, a potted plant, a bookshelf with books, and a window showing a starry night sky.

Why Families Love Rocking Tales

A watercolor-style illustration of a red heart.

Created with Care

Every book is carefully crafted with quality and heart.

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Thoughtful & Safe

Age-appropriate, inclusive, and child-friendly stories.

A large golden star with a shiny appearance and smaller star accents around it.

Timeless Tales

Beautiful books made to be loved and read again and again.

Illustration of a woman who left a review for Bob Ferrari's book

We recently had the opportunity to attend a reading of How the Chimney Sweep Got His Luck, and it was a wonderful experience. We have three boys ranging in age from 5 to 13, and I can honestly say every one of them stayed engaged from beginning to end. I even caught the elusive smile on my teenager's face—a feat worthy of its own award!

If storytelling is an art, then Bob Ferrari is truly an artist. He has a remarkable gift for weaving together whimsical adventure, clever humor, and rich vocabulary in a way that entertains younger readers while introducing them to new words and ideas. It never feels forced—it simply invites curiosity.

How the Chimney Sweep Got His Luck is the kind of story the whole family can enjoy together. It's imaginative, beautifully told, and one we'll be happy to revisit again and again.

Ashley Pietrocci, Office Administrator, The Fire Place

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