Local author educates kids on fitness and self-esteem

Over the past year, Sam Bromley has taken his message of fitness and self-esteem to hundreds of school-aged children across the state. In his book "Hunka Chunka Monkey Shapes Up," Bromley narrates a story of a monkey who changes from a lazy animal who loves cookies and ice cream to an active monkey who makes friends with a donkey. Runka Dunka Donkey teaches him to play basketball and through the process, he becomes fit and trim.

"Childhood obesity is one of the biggest issues in America," Bromley said. "The No. 1 killer of children is childhood diabetes. That's why I chose it as a topic."

When Bromley reads his book aloud, he makes the process an active one. He gives the students words to listen for such as "bounce," "climb" and "adventure" and has them act out the words when he reads them.

"Sam Bromley did a great job presenting his book to our students attending Decker Prairie Elementary's first author's day celebration," said Mandy Watson, librarian for Decker Prarie Elementary. "Mr. Bromley set up a large eye-catching display and involved the kids in his presentation. He inspired our students to develop their writing skills and gave them tips on how to live a healthy and happy life."

Bromley said he encourages children to write down their dreams so they do not forget them.

"I tell children, 'if you like to write stories, draw or color, stay with whatever your desire is," he said "Tenacity is the key."

Tenacity certainly played a part in Bromley's journey to bring his book from an idea born when he was working in Iraq into a book that is now in the hands of children across the state. Though it took him just an hour and a half to write the book, the process of getting his book published took nearly two years.

After going the traditional route of seeking a publisher to release his book and hitting many walls, he decided to self-publish the book.

Bromley found his illustrator, Kid Cardona, over the Internet. Though he lives in China, Cardona was recognized by the 75th state legislature as the official caricature artist of Texas. His illustrations blend computer-animated cartoon animals with hand-drawn backgrounds. Bromley said his ultimate dream is to see Hunka Chunka Monkey in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Until then, the Tomball author has plans for a whole series of books with characters who each have a flaw the other animals help them overcome.

"I've written another about Bully the Badger—which is in the editing process now—because bullying is another important issue affecting children today," Bromley said. "It should be out within four to six months."

Other characters Bromley has in the works are Baby, the lost sheep, who would teach children what to do when they get lost; Orange the Hippopotamus, who has self-esteem issues; Cheater the Cheetah; and Lire, the lying lark.

"I love the way the faces of the children light up when I share my story with them," he said. "I [also] love when a child recognizes me and shouts, 'It's Hunka Chunka," knowing that by recognizing me, my story had an impact of them."