Immerse yourself in Bug Harold's adventures. Contact me to start exploring today!

Bug Harold and the Snapdragon

Bug Harold - A Hero's Journey

Bug Harold was born while I was in High School in South Florida in 1987. Earlier that year, I had watched a film called “Man of La Mancha”. The film came out in 1972 and was an adaptation of the famous novel by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra. It is a funny story about a mad but kind and chivalrous elderly nobleman Don Quixote who, aided by his squire Sancho Panza, fights windmills seen as dragons to save a Dulcinea who is seen as a noblewoman. This film had a huge impact on me, and I did finally read Cervantes’ novel (translated into English) many years later. Also during that year, I was introduced to some of the writings of Lewis Carroll, the nineteenth-century English writer who penned “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass”. One of my favorite poems of all time was his “Jabberwocky”. I started writing poetry myself as part of a class assignment in AP English my senior year, and from these influences and more (“The Lord of the Rings”, for example) I started a poem about Bug Harold. I only got as far as his clash with the army ants, but already all the main characters, Beetle Baily, Lady Bug, the Snapdragon, and of course our intrepid hero Bug Harold emerged fully formed at the beginning.

Alas, I could not finish the poem. My muse had gone silent. I made a few half-hearted attempts to continue the poem over the years, both during college and after. It wasn’t until my older daughter, Maggie, was about 6 or 7 years old and was herself taking an interest in poetry that I dug out my old poem and read to hear what I had of Bug Harold and the Snapdragon. She loved it and suddenly my muse had returned! In only a matter of weeks, I completed the poem, including adding the twist at the end (no spoilers!), and received the most wholesome applause from Maggie. Over the past 8 to 10 years since completed the first draft, I’ve tinkered with the poem until it achieved its current state and I deemed it ready for publication.

My younger daughter, Helen, always loved the poem, too. Moreover, she has a passion for drawing and painting. After searching for an illustrator to illustrate Bug Harold, but not finding the right fit. My wife suggested Helen as the illustrator, and Helen jumped at the chance. In little over a year, she had every panel complete, including front and back covers!

This book is a true labor of love and a collaboration between father and daughter. It doesn’t get more rewarding than that! It was Maggie’s idea to include a glossary at the back of the book to explain the vocabulary words that a younger audience might not understand. This fits well with my professional interest in human intellectual development. There is a groundswell of research showing that play and playfulness are critical ingredients to learning. Furthermore, the academic evidence is clear – reading to a child above their current level improves their verbal fluency, one of the best markers of intelligence and success in adulthood. Even if the child doesn’t understand some of the more advanced terms the first few times they hear them, their familiarity alone will quicken language learning and development. In addition to a glossary, I’ve included a list of cultural references. If they resonate with you, let me know! It’s nostalgic to come across a cultural reference you hadn’t thought about in years.

Join Me on Social Media for Bug Harold Updates!

Connect with me to stay updated on all things Bug Harold! Let's share our love for this magical children's book together.

Connect with me about 'Bug Harold'

Have a question or feedback? Reach out using the form below!