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Ladybug Girl creators come to Sparta Books

| 28 Oct 2015 | 12:11
    Illustrator David Soman puts the finishing touches of a tutu on the Ladybug character.
    Illustrator David Soman puts the finishing touches of a tutu on the Ladybug character.
    The Dennehy family gets a photo opportunity with Ladybug author Jacky Davis and illustrator David Soman.
    The Dennehy family gets a photo opportunity with Ladybug author Jacky Davis and illustrator David Soman.
    Lucy Towey of lake Mohawk recently celebrated her 4th birthday with a Ladybug party.
    Lucy Towey of lake Mohawk recently celebrated her 4th birthday with a Ladybug party.
    Many chuckles and smiles from the audience.
    Many chuckles and smiles from the audience.

BY ROSE SGARLATO
SPARTA — It was a captive audience at Sparta Books on Oct. 21 with the arrival of Ladybug Girl creators David Soman and Jacky Davis.

The husband and wife duo of Soman and Davis are New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the award-winning series Ladybug Girl.

Promoting “Ladybug Girl: The Super Fun Edition,” Davis, the author, and illustrator Soman, shared their creative process with the young audience.

The Ladybug Girl books are geared towards preschool-aged children. With a collection of eight picture books since 2003, including newly released “Ladybug Girl: and the Best Ever Playdate,” the main character is based on the couple’s now 14-year-old daughter, Lucy.

In a humorous and educational way, family experiences intertwine with everyday emotional issues to bring alive the Ladybug Girl stories.

The crowd was quiet and attentive when Davis read from “Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma.” But when Soman took the floor and gave a colorful presentation illustrating Ladybug Girl, there were roars of laughter along with many questions and comments from the children.

The crowd even got a history lesson.

“If you go to the Sistine Chapel in Rome and you look up, you will not find a tutu because even Michael Angelo, one of the greatest artists of all time, couldn’t paint a tutu,” Soman explained as he drew a tutu on Ladybug Girl.

After the presentation, Soman and David personalized books and posed for photo opportunities with their fans.

The young readers seem to relate to Ladybug Girl.

“They have exciting adventures,” said six-year-old Gabrielle Rubalacava who attended with her Daisy troop.

And reader Lucy Towey of Lake Mohawk recently celebrated her fourth birthday by hosting a Ladybug Girl party.

Sparta Books owner Donna Fell was pleased about the turnout and response.

“ I love when people see what we have to offer," she said. "These are events for the community giving kids a great experience."

After hitting Merriam Avenue School in Newton, Sparta Books was the second stop in Sussex County for the Ladybug Girl creators.

“We always enjoy visiting the schools, libraries and bookstores,” said Davis. “The kids ask a lot of great questions.”