Self-published local author and illustrator Marcela Brué-Lotz holds her adorable children’s books, which feature Rosy Ladybug and Charlie the Caterpillar.
By Shelley Cooke
I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Marcela Brué-Lotz, a former resident of Centennial, who has turned her creative talents towards writing and illustrating children’s books. For this local self-published author/illustrator, storytelling began at home. Inspired by her children’s love of learning and her own passion for computer graphics and animation, she set out to create books that would both entertain and educate young readers.
Since many children love bugs, Marcela decided to base her debut learning book, which was published in 2019, on a cheerful ladybug named Rosy. The series, Early Learning with Rosy Ladybug, introduces little ones to colours and numbers through bright, playful illustrations.
“Children love to learn and they absorb so quickly at such a young age,” she said. The series begins with teaching colours, then continues with a story about learning numbers alongside Charlie the caterpillar, Rosy’s cute and curious cousin.
Drawing on her experience as a computer studies teacher at a Montessori school and her observations of how kids learn, Marcela believes that “children learn best through play,” which is why she strives to make her books interactive. In The Christmas Snow Angels, for example, she includes a simple cookie recipe that ties into the story, encouraging hands-on engagement alongside reading.
Children 3 to 6 years old are Marcela’s favourite audience. She loves writing stories for that age group because “they are little sponges and love to have fun.” Marcela has also released Rosy Ladybug Activity Book designed for children ages 3 and up. The book serves as a valuable resource for preparing young learners for kindergarten or homeschooling, featuring plenty of practice pages alongside games and interactive activities that teach letter recognition and proper letter formation.
When asked about the most rewarding part of being a children’s author, Marcela’s eyes light up as she recalls the feedback from parents and grandparents. “It’s wonderful to hear how much their children or grandchildren love my books,” she said, noting that some even send photos of their little ones reading her stories. Another special moment comes when children visit her at local markets to browse her books in person. “I always bring activity books and stickers for them,” she said.
Becoming an author, no matter the genre, is a long journey that often requires a strong support network. In 2020, Marcela founded an international author group, which now includes writers from Canada, the U.S., Hong Kong, the U.K., Spain and Germany. She says that having this community is invaluable, especially since many people don’t fully understand the work involved in writing. “We learn from each other and support one another with our ideas and writing.”
Marcela offers valuable advice to aspiring writers looking to publish their own stories. She suggests starting by finding support through author groups. She also encourages authors to write what genuinely inspires them rather than trying to meet others’ expectations. “Stay true to yourself,” she said. “Not everyone will love your books, but it’s important to find your people and your readers.”
Marcela has been promoting and selling her books, along with handmade Rosy and Charlie dolls that she crochets herself, at local markets. Her most recent appearances included the West Rouge Holiday Artisan Market and the Uxbridge Holiday Market.
Marcela’s books are available in English, French, and Spanish. Born in Argentina, she is fluent in English and Spanish, and her French editions were made possible with the assistance of a skilled translator. Her books can be found on Amazon and Goodreads.