You Can Personalize this Book for Your Child!

Here's another illustration for the Bumble Bear book! This book can be personalized for your child!

Take a close look at the cup of tea and basket of honey... Your child's name will be written throughout the text and into the illustrations! What a fun idea!

I also made more changes to the cover, which is below. I'll be posting the cover with the changes soon. :)

Illustration for the Personalized Book, Bumble Bear!

Here's the cover again. I made more changes. It's a draft, so I'll need to change the size and add more details. I'd like to find a fur brush. We'll see what I can come up with. :)

Illustrations for Bumble Bear, The Personalized Book for Your Child

Here's an illustration I've been working on for the personalized book, Bumble Bear. It's a draft, so the size and some of the details will change.

Bumble Bear, A Personalized Book for Your Child

Have you ever read your child a book about a character who shares his name? It's so fun to see a child's eyes light up as he listens to a story in an attempt to learn more about the character. Children love to see their own names in books.

Description of How Your Child's Name Will Look in the Book:

"Grrrbuzz!" Can you imagine a bear shrinking to the size of a bumblebee? Stealing honey was Daniel* Bear's favorite pastime until his naughty nose gets a magical sting! Daniel* Bear's heart changes, after he transforms into a bumble bear with busy wings and a striped, "grrrbuzzing" tummy. All the forest creatures soon see that becoming a bumble bear has a way of bringing the best out of a bear.

(*Your child's name will appear throughout the entire text of the book!)

Character Building Literature: Empathy, respect and good work ethic.

Ages 7 & up

Ideal for beginning chapter book readers.

Create Peace

This painting, Create Peace, appeared to me in a vision along with the words...

Dream of Peace
Pray for Peace
Forgive for Peace
Live in Peace
Create Peace

Now... Look at your own hands...

Start with you pinky finger and say, "Dream of Peace" and say each line, ending with "Create Peace" at your thumbs.

Bring your hands together, as in the painting,

and see that they are in the shape of a heart.

Look the dove in the eyes and remember...

Peace is in our hands when it is in our hearts.

This painting was created for the event, Artists for Children of the World, and 25% of the proceeds go to orphans. http://www.afcotw.com/events.php

Can You Feel My Spirit?

Carol Brooke, copyright 2008 In Loving Memory of My Little Sister

December 1, 1975 - June 6, 2001

As my eyes streamed with tears, I created this illustration in memory of my sister. It was so painful it took years to finish it.

When my little sister, Kathy, and I were kids we learned to feel spiritual energy. I remember when she told me to close my eyes, held her hand over my heart and said, "Now, feel the energy of my spirit as I get closer and further away. Do you feel it? Now, tell me when I am close?"

"You are close!" I opened my eyes to see her hand above my heart and she giggled.

God, my sister... I miss you with all of my heart. Yesterday was the anniversary of the day that you left your body. You were killed by a wreckless driver... Torn from your body against your will. I feel your spirit, but my heart aches for you, my baby sister. So many memories. I need you so much. Your children need you. I love you, Kathy.

At your funeral I realized that I was so disoriented and grief stricken that I didn't even have a rose for you. A line of people walked by, looked down at your body and gave you a rose. I looked down at your body, held my hand over my heart, took a piece of it and gave it to you. Sister, my heart is in anguish right now. After all these years it doesn't hurt any less. Yes, I know you are safe in God's loving light, but I miss you. I miss you so much. I planted a white rose bush for you. It bloomed yesterday and I clipped one of the roses, held it close to my heart and I could feel your spirit.

Childhood Dreams - Unicorn Pegasus

Illustration © Carol Brooke 2009

When I opened an old file box I came across a crumpled up piece of paper with my childhood writing on it. I had written about a Unicorn Pegasus with diamonds in her wings and pearls in her fur. Together, we were on an adventure flying high into the sky towards the heavens. And then I began to wonder... Where did that childhood spirit go? The one that dreams of flying? Many children dream of flying. When was the last time you dreamed of flying? What does flying symbolize anyway?


According to a dream dictionary I found that flying dreams symbolize power.

"...flying with ease and enjoying the scene and landscape below, then it suggests that you are on top of a situation. You have risen above something. It may also mean that you have gained a different perspective on things. Flying dreams and the ability to control your flight is representative of your own personal sense of power.Having difficulties staying in flight indicates a lack of power in controlling your own circumstances. You may be struggling to stay aloft and stay on course. Things like power lines, trees, or mountains may further obstruct your flight. These barriers represent a particular obstacle or person who is standing in your way in your waking life. You need to identify who or what is hindering you from moving forward. It may also be an indication of a lack of confidence. You need to believe in yourself and not be afraid.If you are feeling fear when you are flying or that you feel that you are flying too high, then it suggests that you are afraid of challenges and of success." http://www.dreammoods.com/cgibin/flyingdreams.pl?method=exact&header=dreamid&search=flyingintro

I challenge you to close your eyes tonight and imagine yourself flying. Be happy, free and feel God's love, light and hope shine down upon your spirit to lift you up. Create your own Unicorn Pegasus in your dream or imagine your own wings. What do they look like? How do you feel? Imagine a star as your goal and reach for it. What is a dream/goal you hold dear and wish for? Hold it in your hands and capture it in your heart. Let your star shine though your heart to the world. Follow your dreams. They are diamonds and pearls of wisdom that can help us grow and sparkle.

Text and Illustration copyright, Carol Brooke 2009