Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book

I’m over the moon to share my very first children’s book with you! Introducing—Maggie and Miss Ladybug! 🐶🐞✨

This cheerful, curiosity-filled tale is about a little dog, a bright red ladybug, and the magic of discovering new friends. It’s perfect for snuggly read-aloud moments with parents and grandparents—and wonderful for beginning readers who love nature’s tiny wonders.

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How it started…

It may seem like I just whipped this up, but that’s far from the truth. The idea began way back in 2016 when The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee made its appearance into the world. And like many sweet things in life, this story took its own sweet time.

It all started with Lucy, our first schnauzer, and her unforgettable “meeting” with a ladybug. I wrote the story, took a children’s writing class with an SMU professor, polished and re-polished it… and then did nothing with the manuscript. Turns out publishing a children’s book is a whole different species of adventure.

I tucked it away for nearly a decade.

And wow—ten years can change everything.

After launching The Third Act of Theo Gruene, Miss Ladybug started tiptoeing back into my thoughts. Maybe it was the arrival of our first grandchild, Liam. Maybe it was a nudge from the universe. Maybe both. But suddenly, this tiny story felt ready.

You know the old proverb—Where there’s a will, there’s a way. (It dates back to 1640 via a man named George Herbert.) With today’s amazing publishing tools and the ever-evolving landscape of bookmaking, I was finally able to bring this tale to life through One Mississippi Press.

More about the story

What I know to be true…

Sometimes you have to let things rest. Trust the slow magic. Let the story find its moment. And when it does—oh my goodness—the pieces click.

That’s what happened with Maggie and Miss Ladybug.

And guess what?

This heartwarming little book is here just in time for Christmas! 🎄

Can we talk about these faces?! Truly the cutest. And so sincere.

 

Maggie and Miss Ladybug is now available in paperback on Amazon, and the hardback will be here soon.

(How soon? 🤷‍♀️ Maybe by 🎅🏻… maybe by 💘… but soon!)

Order your paperback copy via Amazon
by clicking HERE. You’ll receive it super quick
(because, Amazon).

Books are also available via Grace Grits and Gardening
by clicking HERE. You probably
won’t receive it until mid-December
(because, I’m not Amazon).

Thank you—truly—for cheering on every one of my creative endeavors.

Talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Check out my cute little video!