Peter Locke's Mikee the Martian series are charmingly illustrated children's picture books that blend extraterrestrial adventures with invaluable and universal life lessons, providing young readers with entertaining and educational reading experiences. With these, parents and their kids can have ideal opportunities to bond over bedtime stories about the titular Martian and his two earthling companions Billy and Jilly, who show them how things on Earth work.
The Mikkee the Martian series is aimed at younger audiences who enjoy science fiction. Mikkee comes to Earth for research and relaxation, befriending the twins Billy and Jilly Watson, who join him on his exciting adventures. In the fifth installment, "Mikkee the Martian: Book Five a Visit to the TV Studios," Mikkee's human friend wins a competition and gets the chance to visit a TV studio where an episode of Space Quest is being filmed. Billy gets to pilot a spaceship, Jilly meets her heartthrob, and the three get a chance to see how showbiz works. At the same time, hijinks ensue, and readers will see how Mikkee saves the day with his awesome alien powers.
With this picture book, young readers will see how films and television shows are created. At the same time, Locke plays with genre conventions by having his titular alien go behind the scenes in the production of a science fiction show. The story is informed by Locke's own experiences as a producer, studio director, and cameraman - an entertainment industry career that spanned 50 years.
Billy and Jilly act as audience or reader surrogates, showing how young people would act when getting a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing their favorite shows being made and meeting their favorite stars. Mikkee gets to flex his extraterrestrial abilities, showing them what an actual Martian is capable of doing. In a way, readers will see that real adventure is not on television but stems from the friendships people make.
The series is entertaining and educational, full of good humor as well as unexpected twists. They are recommended for young readers between the ages of 6 and 12 and even older siblings and relatives who might find themselves chuckling along as they read the tale to the little ones.
About the Author
Peter Locke is retired after 50 years as a television producer, director, and studio cameraman. Since he was young, he was always an avid storyteller, a passion that continued into his adult years, leading him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.