Briarcliff Author Debuts New Children’s Book

As Laura Nadler was watching the seasons change last fall, she thought about what the next book she would publish would be about. She knew she wanted to incorporate TickleMe Plants, but also wanted to dedicate the book to her son and daughter, whose nicknames are “Pug” and “Bug.” So came the title, Pugbug & the Ticklish Garden.

“[Pugbug & the Ticklish Garden’] is about symbiotic relationships, caretaking and the circularity of nature and human nature,” said Nadler. “The story demonstrates the plant life cycle and how plants and insects work together.”

In the book, the character of “Pugbug” protects a magical plant, which then offers protection when she is hatching her special secret.

"This book grew from a seed planted by the TickleMe Plant company and took off from there," said Nadler. "Kids get to read about a plant that moves when you touch it and then grow their own from the included TickleMe Plant seed packet."

The children’s book is great for children ages two to 7-years-old because “the book itself has minimal words so children can fill in the blanks and follow the story in their own unique way,” said Nadler.

Nadler, who graduated from The University of Vermont in 1993 with an English degree, has always loved writing. She has worked on picture books, short stories and poetry for children and adults. Even though she has a law degree, “writing children’s books are more enticing and satisfying,” said Nadler.

Nadler discovered that she wanted to write children’s books, in particular picture books, while she was exploring other styles of writing.

“The picture book format seemed a perfect way to tell a story, layer in lessons and include a beautiful visual component,” she explained.

Nadler’s next project is launching “Random Acts of Reading” as a non-profit avenue to bring books to underprivileged communities.

“Pro bono work is an important park of what I do and I regularly conduct volunteer events for needy children,” said Nadler. “It makes a real difference for each child who receives a free book.”

Advice Nadler offers to aspiring children’s book authors is the same she gave to her 9-year-old son while he was running to first base in a baseball game—“Just go. Don’t worry about anyone else and don’t look back. Don’t think. Just go!"

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