Lucky's Mailbox News

I started writing the first Lucky the Lizard book 10 years ago and the second not too long after. Lucky is a lizard that lives in a mailbox and has many adventures.  I put the idea aside for many years and about a year and a half ago got inspired again. I got the idea about the lizard in the mailbox from a lizard that lived underneath my parent's mailbox years ago. I went out to get their mail one day and it jumped out and scared me, but the thought of a lizard in a mailbox made the perfect children's story. When I decided to send my stories out to the publishing world I needed an illustrator. I cannot draw so this was a desperate need. My husband, Darin Moon, suggested Marty Sutton. Marty's family has been friends with Darin's family since they were children. I approached Marty about illustrating my books. He jumped at the chance to show off his drawing skills and I loved the first thing he drew. Marty has captured the exact thing that I wanted Lucky to be. Lucky is fun, has great expressions and captures you when you look at him. You want to know him. Marty and I work well together and we don't take everything so seriously; so this is definitely a fun ride. Marty has said many times “Lucky's big eyes and goofy smile were meant to be shared with others as parents help teach their children to learn to read and, who knows, hopefully they will be inspired to draw as well.”

There are, at the present time, six (6) books in the Lucky series and there may be more; if the creative juices keep flowing.

I grew up in Houston , Texas and went to college at Carson- Newman College in Jefferson City , Tennessee . I have a graduate degree from Mercer University . I lived in Birmingham , Alabama and worked as a Paralegal, then decided to go to graduate school. I worked as a Project Controller and Consultant at Deloitte Consulting for four (4) years and then decided to slow my life down. I took a couple of months off to find myself again and then took a job as a paraprofessional at Simpson Elementary in Norcross. (Gwinnett County Public Schools) I helped in a mild special education classroom and loved watching and helping those children learn. I met and married a Tucker boy, Darin Moon. He and I met on a blind date and we have been together ever since. A few years later we are happily married with two wonderful children. Darin was born in Tucker, went to Tucker High School and lived in Tucker for 39 years. When Darin was in high school he worked at Matthew's Cafeteria. He has for many years, owned and operated North Georgia Landscaping Company, with its home-base in Tucker. I don't think that there are many people in and around the Tucker area who do not know him. He is probably one of the friendliest people in Tucker!

Marty Sutton grew up Tucker, went to Tucker High School and Mercer University Atlanta and still lives in Tucker. Marty has 2 brothers, Scott and Hank and one sister, Holly. Marty's parents, Mark and Sally Sutton, still live in Marty's childhood home and are members at First Baptist Church Tucker. During high school, Marty worked at Dom's Pizza on the corner of Fellowship and Lawrenceville Highway . Now that wonderful pizza establishment is Moon Shadow Tavern. Marty has always loved to draw and doodle. After high school Marty worked for 20 years in a highly technical drafting profession. Marty now works at Sangria's restaurant in Tucker and is probably their funniest waiter! As a “lefty,” being creative came naturally to Marty. During high school, Marty would draw cartoons for the school newspaper, as well as doodles for ads. He had teachers who would rather Marty design a bulletin board for extra credit than turn in regular assignments.

The “Lizard in the Mailbox” is the first of a series of books about Lucky the Lizard and his friends Lady Bird Robin and Chester the Chipmunk.  Lucky also has people friends who lived in the house behind his mailbox. Lucky is sad because they moved away.  New people move into the house.  Lucky learns about making new friends!  

The second in the Lucky the Lizard series is, “Lucky Goes to School.” Lucky comes out of his mailbox home to see his friends Amanda and Chandler getting on a big yellow school bus.  Lucky hears about school from his animal friends, Lady Bird Robin and Chester the Chipmunk.  Soon Lucky's adventure begins as he hitches a ride to school in Chandler 's backpack!

The third in the Lucky the Lizard series is, “Lucky's Special Thankgiving.” Lucky the Lizard comes out of his mailbox home and smells new and wonderful smells.  What are they? Where are they?  His animal friends, Lady Bird Robin and Chester the Chipmunk say it is the smell of Thanksgiving.  What is Thanksgiving Lucky wonders?  Lucky's people friends, Amanda and Chandler , tell him and show him! 

These books are a PeachMoon Publication. The first book, “ The Lizard in the Mailbox,” is ready for purchase. The second, “Lucky Goes to School” will be available for purchase in July. The third, “Lucky's Special Thanksgiving,” will be available for purchase in September. The Fourth, “Lucky's Surprise Valentine,” will be available in January. The Fifth, “Lucky Goes to the Dentist,” will be available in the Spring of 2008 and The Sixth, “Lucky Learns to Swim,” will be available in the Summer of 2008.

If you would like to see a preview of Book One “The Lizard in the Mailbox” and keep up with forthcoming books, please click on our webpage: luckythelizard.com

We hope that you are interested or know someone that might be interested in reading and purchasing these books.. You can contact me through my website or my email and I will mail the books directly to you.

Please e-mail me at Alice@luckythelizard.com

  In a few weeks the website will be set up to take orders and also the books will be available through Amazon.com.

Marty and I would like to thank our families and friends for being so supportive through this fast-paced whirl-wind journey. We would also like to thank our book producer, John Dorrill. His hard work makes the characters in our books come to life with color.

This has been a very exciting process for us. We hope you enjoy the finished products.
Alice Coomer Moon and Marty Sutton