Adele and the Whispering Garden follows a young girl who moves to a new home where she is excited to discover all the magic and mysteries her new home holds. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

To be honest, I originally set out to write a completely different book. But this children’s story kept nudging its way to the forefront, refusing to be ignored. At first, I thought, Why not? Writing a children’s book might be an easier way to get my feet wet. But as I dove into the process, the story took on a life of its own, and I soon realized—this was the book that was meant to be written.

My inspiration comes from a mix of my gardening knowledge, my passion for growing food organically, and my deep concern for children today. I want to encourage them to step away from their screens, connect with nature, and learn how to grow their own food while caring for our planet. We need to do better for Mother Earth, and I hope this book plants a seed of change in young minds.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

One of the key educational aspects I wanted to include in Adele and the Whispering Garden was helping children understand where their food comes from and how it grows. In today’s world, many kids are disconnected from nature, and I wanted to spark their curiosity about gardening, plant life, and the environment in a fun and engaging way.

I also wanted to introduce organic gardening principles—teaching children that plants can be nurtured naturally without synthetic chemicals. Adele’s journey in the garden highlights important concepts like soil health, composting, and the role of beneficial insects in maintaining a thriving ecosystem.

Beyond gardening, the book explores themes of environmental stewardship, responsibility, and mindfulness. Adele learns that every living thing in the garden has a role to play, and by listening to nature, she can make a difference.

This book is just the beginning of Adele’s journey. Adele and the Whispering Garden is the first in a series that will expand on these themes, delving deeper into topics like pollination, biodiversity, and sustainable gardening. Future books will continue to blend magical storytelling with real-world lessons, encouraging children to step outside, connect with nature, and become caretakers of the Earth.

Is there anything about Adele that came from yourself or your life experiences?

Adele is very much inspired by my own experiences and love for gardening, but she’s also inspired by someone even closer to my heart—my daughter. Her name is Adele, and just like the character, she has a natural curiosity and a strong connection to the world around her.

Much of Adele’s journey in the book reflects my own childhood experiences—spending hours in my great aunt’s English-style garden in Chicago, helping my mother tend to her backyard garden, and discovering the wonder of growing food. Those moments shaped my love for the earth and my passion for organic gardening, and I wanted to pass that on—not just to my daughter, but to all children.

In many ways, this book is a love letter to Adele and to the lessons I hope every child can learn: that nature has so much to teach us, that we have a responsibility to care for the earth, and that magic can be found in the simplest moments—like planting a seed and watching it grow.

Will there be a follow-up novel for this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?

Yes! Adele and the Whispering Garden is just the beginning of Adele’s journey. I’m currently working on the next book in the series, Adele and the Whispering Garden: The Bee Brigade.

In this next installment, Adele notices that while her garden is full of blooming flowers, the vegetables aren’t producing fruit. Lulu, the ladybug, helps her realize that pollination has been a challenge due to a decline in bees. As Adele investigates, she discovers that her neighbors’ use of synthetic chemicals is discouraging pollinators from visiting their yards. Determined to help, she embarks on a mission to educate her community about organic gardening and create a space where bees can thrive.

This book will introduce new magical elements, including Katelyn, the Blossom Spirit, who helps Adele and her neighbors see the vital role pollinators play in our food system. Naming this character after my niece and goddaughter, Katelyn Kelly, is a special way to honor her memory. Readers will also meet some delightful bee characters—Brick, the hardworking mason bee with a tiny hard hat, Snip, the leafcutter bee with her seamstress-like precision, and Queenie, the regal honeybee.

The Adele and the Whispering Garden series blends storytelling with real-world lessons in environmental stewardship, gardening, and sustainability. Each book will explore a different challenge in nature, showing kids how they, too, can make a difference.

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