Monique's Musings

I had the privilege of reading a new Christmas book: Lucius and the Christmas Star. 

It is a collaboration piece written by: Jim Long and illustrated by: Mikey Brooks.

I must say I was happy to discover it in my mailbox as Mikey sent it as a gift for my five-year-old son. My nine year-old daughter joined us as we read "Lucius and the Christmas Star". 

My daughter LOVED the pictures. She thought the drawings in the book were beautiful and eye-catching. (I agreed. I especially liked the pictures of the sunrises and sunsets--incredibly vibrant and colorful.)

My five year-old son thought Lucius the camel looked "cool." My seven year-old son thought the story was "interesting" and "pretty good." He liked the one and two-humped camels in particular and gave the book a "thumbs up."

I liked the fact that the story was historically correct. The wise men followed the Christmas Star to find a toddler Jesus rather than an infant one. I also liked that Lucius felt the kind, sweet spirit of young Jesus and sensed that he would one day be a great man. 

I want to commend Mikey on his beautiful illustrations. I thought they were so lovely that I may send him the one short story I've ever written and see if he thinks it might work as a children's picture book. :) 

For now, I plan to pull out Lucius and the Christmas Star for future Christmases as well as this one. We've already read it four times. Thanks Jim and Mikey for the gentle reminder of the "true reason for the season."

You can find Lucius on Amazon.com here

Or on Create-a-space here

About Mikey:

Mikey Brooks is an author/illustrator with a BS in Creative Writing from Utah State University. Illustration has always been a love of Mikey’s. His art has been seen in many forms from picture books to murals for community art productions. He creates full-room murals and loves to doodle on almost anything. He also manages a bakery where he also is a cake artist and decorator. He authored/illustrated Bean’s Dragons, ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures, and Trouble with Bernie. He also illustrated Bongo Flo and Ocelot Scott, both by Carolyn Quist, and Lucius and the Christmas Star, by Jim Long. He’s had poetry and personal essays published in university sponsored literary magazines 2007-2009, and was awarded 3rd place for his personal essay, Waiting for the Morning Sun to Rise, in the Utah Arts 23rd Annual Writing Competition, 2011. He has a wonderful wife and two amazing daughters.
You can find more about Mikey Brooks and his works at:www.insidemikeysworld.com. Or on his blog at:www.writtenbymikey.blogspot.com. 

You can find Mikey on Good Reads at:http://www.goodreads.com/InSideMikeysWorld on Twitter: @writtenbymikey 

Or on Pinterest at:http://pinterest.com/writtenbymikey/ and on Facebook: as Mikey Brooks, or email him at: insidemikeysworld(at)gmail.com

About Mikey's Books:

Bean’s Dragons.
Have you ever had a dragon in your house? How about a dozen? Bean is a little girl with an imagination that is creating quite a mess. Although Bean loves each of her dragons, she forgets how untidy they can be when having so much fun. When Bean's parents discover what's happened in their short absence, Bean finds herself the blame of the dragons' giant mess.
You can find more about Bean’s Dragons at:http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/beans-dragons/

ABS Adventures: Magical Creatures.
This is the first installment in a series of ABC adventures featuring Professor Vontriponmybottom, a heroic explorer determined to share with children the alphabet through exciting and fantastical means. In Magical Creatures you will find all sorts of enchanting beings such as: B is for Bigfoot, M is for Mermaid, and O is for Ogre. The professor shares fun facts about each creature he encounters and never shies away from getting a picture with them. This book is sure to educate and entertain young readers and their parents.
You can find more about ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures at: http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/abc-adventures-magical-creatures/