MONROE — Families and children are invited to sing and clap along with artist, author, musician and local resident Mauro Magellan from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday for a musical story time based on his latest children’s book, Felicia & the Rat. 

“Musical Storytime with Mauro” is free and open to the public and is the first of three programs in Monroe Arts Center’s 2018-19 Family and Kids Series. 

This one-hour event recommended for families with children up to age 9, will be held in MAC’s Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.

Felicia & the Rat is a story about a lonely rat named Louie, who loves to play the drums, but doesn’t have anybody to play with him. the moon is high in the sky, the neighborhood cats come out to play music in their band. Dreaming of some day playing along with those cats in the band, Louie the Rat only plays along from his rooftop home. The cats don’t want to play with a rat. Will Louie ever have some friends to play music with? In addition to the book, there is a CD version of Felicia & the Rat, which features 12 original songs and the lyrics.

Magellan has written and illustrated books for both adults and children. He is a songwriter and drummer, and performs with bands around the world. 

He was an original member of the 1980s Atlanta band The Georgia Satellites, whose hits included “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”

For additional information contact Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or online at monroeartscenter.com.