The first time we read it to our daughter her reaction was to say “read it again”. And this went on another 5 or so times, and now the book is a bed-time staple!

Celina and Leo Lagnado – 18 August 2020

The Back Flap

A moving story about a little monster that loved nature. So much so that he wants it all for himself. But he is in for a surprise! Lovingly written and illustrated, this is the author’s original debut for all kids who are fascinated by every little rock and leaf they find.

This is a short story for toddlers and small kids about a cute monster who likes to venture out into nature and collect items in jars. Eventually he has a change of heart and discovers the importance of appreciating and respecting nature from afar.

The book is great for teaching themes like conservation, greed and materialism, yet in a lighthearted way that resonates with small kids. It is a straightforward story with a deeper message and colourful illustrations.

About the book

What is the book about?

The book is a short story for toddlers and small kids about a little monster who loves to collect items from nature and store them in jars. Eventually he learns it is best to leave nature untouched.

The book is great for teaching themes like conservation, possessiveness and materialism, yet in a simple way that resonates with small kids. It is a straightforward story with a deeper message.

When did you start writing the book?

Roughly the end of 2019

How long did it take you to write it?

​ About 7 months

Where did you get the idea from?

We find inspiration in the moments we have to ourselves: strolling through the beach, walking across a ravine, enjoying the small things in life. This resonates a lot with small kids since they seem to enjoy those little things to the fullest. If you put a small baby in a stroller under a tall tree the baby can watch the branches and leaves swaying in the wind for hours, with a smile. We lose some of that as adults, and it’s always important to bring that back.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The hardest part really is promoting the book, getting it out there. Kids are lucky to have so many quality options to choose from today, but this also means it’s a very crowded market.

What came easily?

We have a three-year-old and we read her dozens of books per week. After some time it’s easy to see some patterns in the types of stories and books that kids like, and we thought “hey, why don’t we write her a story that has all of the elements that she loves?”.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Entirely fictitious, but inspired by archetypes commonly seen in society.

Do you have a target reader?

Yes, we are aiming to please young toddlers and kids, starting anywhere from 2 or so years old or even younger. The first time we read it to our daughter her reaction was to say “read it again”. And this went on another 5 or so times, and now the book is a bed-time staple! Seeing the reaction on kids’ faces when reading a book you wrote shows you made a difference, even if in a small way. And we are glad to hear the book is resonating with other kids as well.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

​We try to have the full story built up before we start writing. So we refine the story and its messages, and try to imagine the flow. After that is done and we have it on paper we figure out how the pictures will match the text.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Not really. For picture books we find that just brainstorming and discussing the storyline together works best.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Editing is constant. Every single page has many iterations. We go back and forth many times.

Did you hire a professional editor?

We did not.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No, it helps more to focus.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No, this started as a small project that grew. So we didn’t really choose the agent path.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

This is our debut! First book ever, and going indie allowed us to learn a lot about the process and the industry as well.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

We did it ourselves as well.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

We try to follow what other indie authors recommend. We are very risk-averse since we are fully aware that this is an uncharted territory for us. So we only try what fellow authors say worked well.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Write with someone or a specific audience in mind. It will help keep you on track.

About You

Where did you grow up?

We both grew up in Brazil from Italian and Japanese families, and relocated to Canada years ago.

Where do you live now?

Toronto, Canada

What would you like readers to know about you?

We are regular people, really!, We enjoy regular people things like walking through nature, ice skating, drinking warm cups of tea and finding fun activities to do with their daughter. And also occasionally writing a book when inspiration hits.

What are you working on now?

We are now focused on promoting our book, taking in all the feedback and learning as we go. Reading some of the reviews and noticing that some folks captured some of the deeper meanings and nuances we tried to add into the story always make us smile.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Catching Fireflies from Amazon US or Amazon UK.