Literary Las Vegas

"Oh My Gosh, Josh!" adds a tall tale twist to real-life stories about Josh Stephens, the young boy whose kindness inspired the Henderson-based Josh Stevens Foundation. Local children's author, educator Domenic Russo interviewed Josh's mother, Barbara Stevens, who shared tales of her son's good deeds. Josh died after a 2009 accident, but the foundation and now the book preserve his memory.

"He was what I wish I could have been as a young boy and everything I strive to be as a man," Russo wrote in his book's dedication.

The book explores kids' tales of Josh's gallantry transforming reality into fantasy with the 12-year-old morphing into a giant, a football-playing robot and a Pegasus-riding video game hero.

Russo plans to sign copies of the book from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit joshstevensfoundation.org.

Excerpt from "Oh My Gosh, Josh!"

The blond-headed boy with a buzz-cut who finished the final story, whom I came to know as Sam, spoke up and told me about their good friend and his brother, Joshua Stevens.

Sam told me about the park, the bench I sat on, and a beautiful monument nearby where we stood. After he finished speaking, I thanked the boys for sharing with me. I thanked them for being such positive young men themselves. I promised them I would be kind and pass on their message. So I say to you, be kind, pass it on, and keep Joshua's star burning bright.