An interview about Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs with P.E. Shadrick and The Children’s Book Review.
P.E. Shadrick stopped by to chat about her charming new picture book, Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs, and shared the heartwarming story behind its creation.
Shadrick discusses how she wove pieces of both her grandmothers into Lisbeth’s wise and gentle grandmother character. She shares how the magic came alive when Maya Penzlik joined the project with her dreamy illustrations that blur the lines between Lisbeth’s world and the enchanted garden where the ladybugs live. Together, Shadrick and Penzlik have created something special – a story that teaches children about kindness and patience while whisking them away on an imaginative adventure.
Dr. Jen Harrison: Tell us a little bit about the inspiration for the book. Is there a child in your life who has trouble with wild hair and forgetting to brush it?
P.E. Shadrick (PES): This story was inspired by my grandmother. She would tell a similar story when she brushed my very thick and curly hair when I was a child. As you can imagine, the detangling process took quite a while, so her stories could become rather elaborate. Her version featured mice, but I opted to make ladybugs the center of Lisbeth’s story in order to provide a different perspective and more creative license.
Lisbeth’s grandmother has the feel of a fairy godmother to her – she comes across as very special. Is she based on a real person?
PES: Lisbeth’s grandmother is a blend of both of my grandmothers. My Grandma, who inspired this story, was a soft-spoken, silver-haired lady who grew up roaming the dusty roads of South Georgia with her sister. They managed to get themselves into some rather colorful situations, providing my grandmother with a lot of material for her tales.
She is the main inspiration for Lisbeth’s grandmother, but I also wanted to capture the spirit of my other grandmother, whom I called MeMe. She was a bit more animated, not at all shy to get dirty and play in the mud with my brother and I. She also was a wonderful storyteller who shared tales of her grandfather and his Native-American heritage. To honor her, Lisbeth’s grandmother celebrates American Indian culture blended with European and North American styles. It’s this blend of cultures that defines my family’s story and possibly a few other families’ stories as well.
Why ladybugs? Was it just the alliteration with Lisbeth’s name, or was there another inspiration for the naughty insects in the story?
PES: Alliteration is certainly part of the charm of the story, but I chose ladybugs for their small but mighty presence. They are delicate little creatures who are vital to the health of gardens, which both of my grandmothers had a knack for cultivating.
Ladybugs do an amazing job of keeping our gardens healthy. I thought it would be amusing to have ladybugs, who are naturally tidy in the garden, be a bit more carefree and messy during their off hours. I like playing with different and unexpected perspectives in stories.
Why do you think it is important for readers to understand that sometimes you have to help out even if you are not responsible for the mess? Or, is the point that, just like Lisbeth’s tangles, we usually are responsible in some way?
PES: We typically form our opinions from our own unique perspective, which sometimes causes us to see the world from only our viewpoint. Yet, if we give others the benefit of the doubt and try to understand their perspective, we often arrive at a place of common ground. Sometimes, we create the mess, and other times, we don’t. But we all have a part to play in leaving the world a better place than we found it.
What I love most about Lisbeth’s story is the love and understanding between her and her grandmother. The ladybugs serve as a conduit for seeing the world through someone else’s perspective. We may not always understand that perspective and may not even agree with it, but everything in life has value. So, if a group of hardworking ladybugs fails to clean up after their grand gala, it doesn’t mean they lack value. They may just be lacking a fresh perspective.
Grandma demonstrates to Lisbeth what shared responsibility looks like as she works to detangle her hair. Through her actions, she teaches Lisbeth the value of doing one’s part, as well as selflessly offering a helping hand when one is needed. That is the inspiration Lisbeth needs to make her own contribution.
If you would like readers to change one aspect of their mindset after reading this novel, what would it be?
PES: The little things in life matter so much. We often overlook them and even sometimes take them for granted. But without genuine kindness, dedicated patience, and the willingness to roll up your sleeves and do what is necessary, our world would be a lot more messy than it is. You may not be the one who caused the issue, but you’ll certainly be affected by it nonetheless. We’re connected far more than I think we take the time to realize. So, always look for the value in life.
The artwork for the story is utterly delightful – can you tell us a bit about how you worked with the illustrator to decide on the right style and concept for the artwork?
PES: I’m thrilled to have worked with Maya Penzlik. She’s a very talented artist, and I think her style is perfect for this project.
I wanted a dream-like feel for this story. It was necessary for the illustration to convey Lisbeth’s own imagining of Grandma’s story while also combining three worlds together in one. There is Lisbeth’s world, with the warm and inviting textures of Grandma’s house, and then there are the two worlds of the ladybugs’ with their sun-kissed garden vibes and a vibrantly whimsical grand gala.
It was important to have these three worlds be distinct, in and of themselves, but also blend together within a unified style. I think Maya did an amazing job pulling it all together.
I also wanted to honor the story’s origin while simultaneously reaching out to include different perspectives. I wanted the illustration to further spark children’s imaginations while also helping them connect with different cultures through the ladybugs’ grand gala costumes. While we couldn’t include every culture, Maya created gala costumes that featured many cultural elements from around the world.
While Maya brought my vision to life, she also added her own unique style and creativity, delivering something that is not only beautiful but very special. I think the artwork captures both the spirit and the heart of the story in a way that emotionally connects readers. It’s our hope that children – and adults alike – are filled with a sense of warmth, kinship, and inspiration after experiencing this book.
Lisbeth decides she’ll brush her hair before bed … but she also decides to write the ladybugs a letter. What do you think is important about balancing moral instruction with imagination in this story?
PES: Great question. I think children learn best through creativity. It often helps them see situations through different eyes. Using playful stories provides an opportunity to teach and also encourage children to add their own perspective to the story. Imagination helps them learn the moral while also envisioning their own role in the world. This is critical to not only learning, but living, the lesson.
What advice do you have for readers who feel like they hate cleaning up other people’s messes?
PES: Try to see the benefit of the lesson while not losing sight of the value of the littering ladybugs in your life. There is always more than one viewpoint. Shared responsibility can certainly be both necessary and fun – just so long as you seek to capture the value, which sometimes may not be clearly visible at the time.
What are some other favorite moral stories that you would recommend to readers who have enjoyed Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs?
PES: One of my son’s favorite stories is Gilbert de’ la Frogponde: A Swamp Story by Jennifer Rae, ilustrated by Rose Cowles. I loved reading – and acting out – the book to my son. Being from the American South, we connected with this story in a way that left Gilbert feeling awfully Louisiana, and the chefs sounding straight-outta French culinary school. The contrast between Cajun and Parisienne accents provided the opportunity for my son to learn more about language and how people who speak the same language can sometimes sound quite different from one another. Plus, Gilbert’s determination to use his wits to get out of a tricky situation was delightfully demonstrated through his negotiating skills, which dripped with a thick and sassy, yet laid back, confidence. A constant staple where I come from.
What comes next – will we hear more stories from Lisbeth and her Grandmother?
PES: Possibly, but not before Emory the Elephant makes his debut. I just finished writing his story, which is moving to the illustration phase at the beginning of next year. I’m also in the process of writing a young adult series based on my grandmother’s tales from her childhood, albeit with an unexpected twist. I’m hoping to have the first book in that series completed by the end of next year and published sometime in 2026. Regardless of the timeline, I have quite a few stories left to tell.
About the Book
Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs
Written by P.E. Shadrick
Illustrated by Maya Penzlik
Ages: 3-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: P.E. Shadrick | ISBN: 979-8-9912340-0-9
Publisher’s Book Summary: Do you know what happens at night when you sleep? The ladybugs come out to play!
Lisbeth, a lively six-year-old, wakes up one morning to discover a tangled mess in her hair. Her grandmother tells her the story of how a group of playful ladybugs is the cause of all the knots in her hair. Through Grandma’s fanciful story of the ladybugs’ glorious grand gala, Lisbeth learns the lesson of how shared responsibility can be both necessary and fun.
Inspired by the stories of P.E. Shadrick’s own grandmother, this charming story comes to life through the vibrant watercolor illustrations of Montreal artist, Maya Penzlik.
Available in hardback and a special expanded artwork edition (11″ x 8.5″), as well as paperback (8.5″ x 8.5″), Kindle, and digital editions.
Buy the Book
About the Author
From an early age, Atlanta, Georgia-born P.E. Shadrick was surrounded by masterful storytellers. Carrying forward a shared love of boundless creativity, she pursued opportunities of artistic expression in design and writing, eventually settling into a profession in marketing & communications. Inspired by her grandmother’s stories, Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs is P.E. Shadrick’s first published book. But with a treasure trove of imaginative stories to tell, it certainly won’t be her last
For more information, visit peshadrick.com.
About the Illustrator
Maya Penzlik is a talented artist and illustrator living in Montreal, Canada. She creates beautiful, whimsical paintings featuring colorful characters and dreamy landscapes full of life and magic. Maya draws inspiration from her dreams, cherished childhood memories, and desire to explore new and exciting places. Her work is also influenced by the special moments she shares with her daughter, Eva.
This interview—An Interview with P.E. Shadrick, Author of ‘Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs’—was conducted between P.E. Shadrick and Dr. Jen Harrison.
