Ever wonder how the magical worlds and whimsical creatures of Popop’s Magic Garden come to life? Let me take you behind the scenes of my creative process, where imagination meets everyday adventures.
A lot of the characters and story ideas in Popop’s Magic Garden are born during moments shared with my granddaughter. Whether we’re walking through the woods behind my house or playing on a playground, we’re always making up stories together. One of her absolute favorites is Mr. Troll, who lives under a rickety wooden bridge that crosses a deep creek bed in the woods. Mr. Troll is always very nice to her—she’s free to cross the bridge anytime—but when it comes to me, I have to ask his permission! Sometimes, I’m only allowed to cross if my granddaughter coaxes him into letting me pass. Their friendship is so special, and it’s these little adventures we share that often inspire the stories and characters that come to life in the books.
When I first began writing Popop’s Magic Garden, my goal was simple: to create stories that are fun and magical to read aloud now, but with enough depth that they’ll still be exciting for her to read when she’s old enough to do so on her own. I wanted these stories to grow with her—and with all young readers. The characters may be whimsical, but the lessons they learn—about friendship, bravery, and being true to oneself—are timeless.
Each book starts with an idea that blends imagination with important life lessons. The playground might turn into a castle, the woods become a magical forest, and suddenly, the stories take shape. And just like in our real-life adventures, the plot often takes fun, unexpected twists. Mr. Troll hasn’t found his way into a book just yet, but you never know—he may one day make an appearance in Popop’s Magic Garden!
I hope these stories inspire the same sense of wonder and imagination in your family that they do in mine. Whether you’re reading aloud at bedtime or watching your little ones discover the magic of reading on their own, Popop’s Magic Garden is here to bring fun, adventure, and a little bit of magic into your lives.
📚✨ #BehindTheScenes #PopopsMagicGarden #Storytelling #ImaginationAtPlay
