FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Willie Bean, the native canine who ran for mayor this year and garnered fame on “Late Show with David Letterman” and in media around the globe, is an international superstar of a dog.

The white T-shirt with his giant yawn — that’s what he thought about politics — has been spotted in Mexico and Alaska.

But he doesn’t have his own book — at least not yet.

That honor falls to another barefoot and well-loved local celebrity.

And though this particular rising star can’t get that kind of instant media attention when he barks, he can fly.

And he can strike one fine pose on a pier piling.

“It was shortly after Hurricane Ivan struck and we were near the beach doing some cleanup when I saw James Blevins feeding a pelican,’’ said local writer Theresa Lacey, about her first contact with the bird and man, which led to her most recent book about the story. “This amazed me — that a wild brown pelican would be tame enough to be fed by a human. I approached James and talked with him, then returned next day with my camera for some pictures I hoped would inspire me through the writing process.”

Her book, Henry the Pelican, is now available through xlibris.com and will be in local bookstores soon, Lacey said.

Bringing the book to publication has been a family affair and group project, she said.

“Although one publisher was interested in the story, they would assign an unknown illustrator to draw the pictures for my picture book,” she said. “I chose to self-publish the story so I could do it my own way.”

Her artist is sister-in-law Jan Sloan Jensen, who lives in Maryland.

“She spent approximately four months researching the life-cycle of the brown pelican, their nesting habits, etc.,” said Lacey who is a high school English teacher in Roberstdale. “She also drew on information about this area so she could include something unique to our area, such as Sand Island Lighthouse.”

Then, at the suggestion of a fellow teacher, she decided to make the book bilingual.

“Another friend of mine in Tampa, Jose David Estigarabbia, agreed to do this (and translate the book),” she said. “Now some Spanish teachers in this area are using it in their high school classes as a teaching tool, which thrills me.”

Lacey said she will be reading from her book at the Dec. 7 Mobile Baykeeper Family Fun Day at 5 Rivers on the Bayway, and recently appeared at the local Birdfest at Faulkner State Community College.

The story of James and Henry came alive for Lacey in the writing and publishing of her book, she said.

“What does the story mean?” Lacey asked. “I think it says life goes on through tragedy, and the good in people shines through in the most difficult circumstances. That’s the message that rang through loud and clear the day I saw James feed Henry the fish.”

For more information, visit Lacey’s Web site at www.tjensenlacey.com. And see other stories about James, Henry and the writing of her book at: http://baldwincountynow.com/articles/2007/12/31/local_news/doc477917f90a372236381365.txt (“Man who hand-feeds pelican inspires children’s book”); and http://baldwincountynow.com/articles/2007/12/26/local_news/doc476c5d97c70e1626532950.txt (“Unlikely friends”).

Henry the Pelican is available at www.xlibris.com for $21.99.