Lou Basenese, Jr. is a storyteller with a heart for faith, family, and imagination. After publishing his acclaimed memoir Between the Sauce, Stars and Heaven — a heartfelt journey through generations of love, loss, and legacy — Lou turned his creative energy toward inspiring children and families through stories that celebrate courage, kindness, and curiosity.
That vision came to life in Rebel and The Rooster, the first title in his new children’s series under his imprint Lou Tells Tales. Inspired by his real-life pets — Rebel, a spirited Labrador retriever, and Rooster, a clever, colorful friend — the series blends gentle humor with meaningful life lessons that help young readers see the world through eyes of wonder and empathy. Each adventure invites families to read together, laugh together, and rediscover timeless values that matter now more than ever: friendship, loyalty, honesty, and love.
Lou’s storytelling reflects the same warmth and authenticity that shaped his own childhood. Raised in the small Italian-American town of Netcong, New Jersey, he grew up surrounded by laughter, strong faith, and the enduring lessons of community. His upbringing — steeped in tradition, storytelling, and Sunday family gatherings — continues to shape the characters and messages in every Rebel and The Rooster book. From their backyard adventures to their heartfelt discoveries, Lou’s stories are grounded in the belief that life’s greatest lessons often begin with simple acts of kindness.
Before becoming a full-time author, Lou built a long and successful business career leading divisions of Fortune 500 companies and later co-founding On-Site Fleet Services of Florida with his wife, Laura. Together, they grew the company into a thriving, certified Women-Owned business that treats every employee like family — a reflection of their shared values of faith, hard work, and gratitude.
Following a near-death experience in which Lou was clinically dead for twelve minutes, his creative calling deepened. That life-changing event — paired with his faith and the profound loss of his son Christopher to fentanyl poisoning — inspired him to write stories that uplift, heal, and remind readers, both young and old, of the beauty in everyday moments. The Rebel and The Rooster series grew out of that desire: to bring light and laughter into a world that sometimes feels too heavy.
Lou believes children’s books should entertain and enrich — planting seeds of compassion, courage, and curiosity that will grow for a lifetime. His stories balance fun and meaning, giving parents and grandparents something joyful to share while opening gentle conversations about life, friendship, and doing the right thing.
Through Lou Tells Tales, Lou is building an imaginative world for readers of all ages. His projects include The Adventures of Rebel & The Rooster: The Adventure Series for young children; The Special Patriot Series, a companion collection that blends history and adventure to introduce young readers to America’s founding ideals; Just Enough, the inspiring true story of the 1951 undefeated Netcong High School football team made up of gritty Italian-American immigrants; and The Porch of Saints and Secrets, a sweeping generational saga exploring how faith and family can both protect and haunt us. Across every project, Lou’s mission remains the same: to tell stories that connect hearts and strengthen families, one page at a time.
