Simon was an orphan, the son of peasants. He was keen-minded and quick and soon learned the ways of the scriptorium, of the illuminated manuscripts.

In fact, he was such a fast learner, he felt ready to draw pictures of his own in his teacher's books.

But first, the monastery's father tells him, he must learn how to capture mice.

Prolific author W. Nikola-Lisa and acclaimed illustrator Bonnie Christensen combine talents to create their own illuminated story about patience, about talent, about the imagination.

From the dust jacket