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BUGLET LEARNS TO FLY
With Adrienne Liggett | September 9, 2021
Moms are great at turning lemons into lemonade, which is exactly what SMMC mom Adrienne Liggett did. When the pandemic hit, she used the extra time at home with her daughter to author a beautiful children’s book about determination and resilience. Using their imaginations, this mom-and-daughter duo created a fun, creative project and published a children’s book that is now available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crier recently got to catch up with Adrienne to learn about the project.
How long have you been an SMMC mom?
I joined SMMC in 2017 after my daughter Lenox was born. I’ve always been an active member, whether it’s working on The SMMC Crier, volunteering on the events team or serving on the board—it’s a great way to connect with other women.
How many kids do you have and where do you live in Southern Marin?
I live in Ross with my husband Eric, daughter Lenox (4.5 years) and dog Laszlo.
What was the inspiration for Buglet Learns to Fly?
Growing up, my dad nicknamed me Buglet because I was always buzzing around. Every time he called me that, I always envisioned myself as a ladybug. My Nana was also a big influence on my childhood and she is represented in the story as Nanabug.
Tell me about your relationship with the illustrator.
I met the incredibly talented Eli Petrov through our SMMC Oct-Dec 2016 playgroup when our kids were babies. We became close friends with shared creative interests—her art is so inspiring! One day I was talking with her about the story over coffee and we decided to team up and make it happen.
How was it working on this project through the pandemic?
The pandemic created a lot of down time to focus our creativity energy on Buglet. One of the great things about working with a friend who is also a mom is that there’s a common understanding that sometimes things get done quickly...and other times life gets in the way and everything has to slow down.
What did you enjoy most about working on the book?
I love having my daughter see my creative side in action. It’s been fun to read her the story as it evolved and share the editing process with her. Art and creativity are super important in our house, so it’s been great for her to watch me create this work.
What do your kid(s) think about the book?
Lenox thinks it’s cool that mom wrote Buglet Learns to Fly. She’s looking forward to having me as a mystery reader at school in the fall—not only read to her class, but read my book.
What is the most important lesson for kids reading this book?
The story of Buglet encourages kids to believe in themselves and fosters determination and perseverance to make your dream a reality. No matter how hard Buglet tries and fails she never gives up. I love that. We've used the story of Buglet again and again when teaching Lenox to ride a bike and to read.
How was the process of self-publishing? What were some of the challenges?
Self-publishing is time-consuming! Eli’s done a ton of work battling Amazon’s self-publishing tool. Promoting the book has been fun. So far the response has been great! I thought we’d have more downloads on Kindle since we're offering free downloads with Kindle Unlimited for a limited time but people are loving getting the paperback.
What are your biggest takeaways from this project?
Whatever your passion or interest—go for it. Create the space and the time to be your authentic self. No matter the outcome, the process is truly rewarding.
ENJOY THIS SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE STORY OF BUGLET:
Former 7x7 editor and Bay Area native Adrienne Liggett wrote & self-published Buglet Learns to Fly in June 2020. She wanted to bridge the gap between courage and determination in this lovable children’s book, featuring a female protagonist who never gives up. When she's not working on the Buglet series, Adrienne’s at home in Ross supporting organizations like Pixie Park, Ross Auxiliary and Ross Property Owners' Association. In addition to Buglet, her writing has also appeared in Soma, Details, Blackbook, SF Chronicle among others.
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Should I Hire a Postpartum Doula? Read >>
Top Tips for Parents Buying a Family Home Read >>
Dinner at my House Read >>
Canal Alliance: Breaking the Poverty Cycle Read >>