Ladybug returns to Sparta

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA- Sparta Books celebrated the launch of two new Ladybug books on May 23 with a special appearance by author and illustrator David Soman.
Soman, usually accompanied by his co-author and wife Jacky Davis, was making the Sussex County rounds solo. After visiting Hardyston Elementary and Revered Brown School, he dropped by Sparta Books with a very special red and black polka dotted friend, Ladybug- the main character in his stories.
“The kids are engaged in this area. The schools are awesome,” said Soman.
With a total of nine picture books for the three to six -year old audience and several board books for the even younger set, the popular series keeps growing with recently released “Ladybug Girl and Her Papa “ and “Ladybug Girl’s Day Out with Grandpa.”
Soman drew inspiration for “Ladybug Girl’s Day Out with Grandpa” from his childhood days.
“I grew up across the street from the Museum of Natural History,” said Soman. “ And I always used to spend time there with my family.”
The author and illustrator signed copes of the books and drew individual portraits of the young readers in the style of Ladybug or Bingo, the well-liked dog in the series
“Ladybug is nice and the dog is silly just like mine,” said five-year-old reader Kyla Bitondo.
And Winter Karl-Gruswitz, age 8, came from Basking Ridge to meet the celebrities.
“This bookstore has a sense of community. There is lots of excitement and many people come out to meet us-we enjoy it and keep coming back.”
The Ladybug books are available for purchase at Sparta Books, 29-Theatre Center.