Meadow's Adventures®

We made sure to stay involved in each other’s lives as much as possible.
My sisters, who lived nearby in Florida, also had young children around the same age as my daughter. The cousins—Hope, Ruby, Lily, and Brogan—had a close bond but they all deeply missed their Grandma Sheila (mum, who lived in England), and she missed them too. So, to maintain a special connection with them, Mum dreamed up a little mouse character named Meadow. She would send cards and gifts, always signing them, ‘Love from Meadow.’ It was mum’s way of staying connected. The grandkids would always ask her about Meadow, whenever they spoke on the phone or saw her. Meadow brought so much joy to Mum, and the grandchildren.
Two years ago, while I was visiting my mum in England, she shared with me that she had always wished she had written a book about Meadow. I encouraged her to do so, telling her it was never too late. Sadly, shortly after our conversation, she became ill and was hospitalized. Determined to fulfill her wish, I quickly began writing a short story about Meadow. After two weeks, I finished my first draft of the manuscript and read it to my mum in the hospital, with my daughter Hope by her side. Although I’m not sure she was fully aware of all I was reading to her, it did bring a big smile to her face that I will never forget. Sadly, a few weeks later, my mum passed away.

My mum’s wish stayed with me, so I continued writing stories about Meadow. I even made my daughter, Hope, a character (Hopey Bee), along with my nieces Ruby and Lily, and my nephew Brogan (Brog Frog). It was important to include the grandchildren in the Meadow books, as I know Mum would have loved that. I also named my second book Meadow Across the Pond as a tribute to the connection between our two worlds.

Today, I’m proud to say that her beloved character Meadow is now part of a children’s book series, called Meadow’s Adventures. I’m deeply grateful to see my books reach children around the world, with many copies sold in multiple countries. It brings me so much joy to see people of all ages fall in love with Meadow.
Although I wish so much that my lovely mum was here to see it, I know she is looking down with her beautiful smile, proud of what Meadow has become. This journey has been a heartfelt reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams—or to help someone else’s dream become a reality.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

In the beginning, it wasn’t an easy journey. I had to learn about all the requirements for publishing a children’s book, including illustrations, book design, printing formats, and more, which involved a lot of research. To further educate myself, I even took an online class on children’s book requirements to understand the entire process. But the most difficult part was writing through my grief. At times, it helped me because I felt closer to my mum. It brought back beautiful memories of us talking about Meadow and the joy it brought to her and the Grandkids.   However, it also brought many tears, as every time I worked on my books, I was constantly reminded of the painful loss. Every word I wrote made me wish my mum were here to share in the process, to write them herself, or for us to work on them together, exchanging ideas and storylines. I wanted so much for her to be part of Meadow’s journey. But I pushed on because I wanted my mum to have a legacy for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to share her Meadow with kids everywhere. Now, every time our family reads a Meadow story and sees her name on the books alongside mine, we all feel so much closer to Mum, Grandma, and GG.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

The Meadow’s Adventures children’s picture book series is both entertaining and educational. The stories follow Meadow the Mouse, his friends and cousins on exciting adventures in England and America – Across the Pond – while also teaching children valuable life lessons about friendship, kindness, acceptance, and personal growth.

I’m currently focused on expanding my platforms so that children everywhere can enjoy reading about our Sweet Meadow. I’m promoting the Meadow’s Adventures book series through my website and social media channels. My books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, local stores, and at pop-up markets. Later this year, I may have the opportunity to have my books stocked in Barnes & Noble locations, and there’s also a possibility they could be featured in some Disney pavilions. It’s an exciting time, and I’m thrilled about the opportunities ahead. I hope children everywhere fall in love with Meadow, just like we did.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?

Start by joining online book groups, writing communities, or networking with others in your field. These connections can provide support, knowledge, and inspiration as you grow. Conduct research and take classes that will help you develop your passion further. Be open to advice, as it can provide valuable perspectives. And never be afraid to follow your dreams.