Watertown Authors Release New Book, Donating Royalties to Make-A-Wish
- Steve Jurrens
- 3h
- 2 min read
Updated: 59m
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Local author Julianne Endres and illustrator Rebecca Hall have officially launched their new children’s book, Little Bug Earns Her Spots, a touching story about kindness, legacy, and community. The book, released today, is not only a tribute to a beloved local girl but also a mission to grant wishes to children facing critical illnesses.
The inspiration for the book traces back over two decades to the life of Emily Hult, a young Watertown girl who passed away from cancer in 2002. Emily, who was an avid lover of ladybugs, left a lasting impact on those who knew her. Endres, a longtime friend of the Hult family, felt compelled to honor Emily’s memory through a story that captured her spirit.
“Emily was a darling girl,” Endres shared during a recent interview on Northeast Radio SD. “To this day, people will see a ladybug and send her mother, Marne, a picture of it. It’s a connection that many who knew her still have.”
The story follows “Little Bug,” a ladybug born without spots, who must earn them through acts of kindness and good deeds. While the story is original, its roots are deeply personal. Endres began writing the book 15 years ago, originally as a story about a girl in a “Ladybug Club,” but eventually evolved it into a children’s book featuring the bug herself.
The project came to fruition after Endres connected with Becka Hall, a local illustrator and mother of three. The two are neighbors in Watertown and discovered a shared passion for the project through a serendipitous series of events. Hall, a self-described former “tomboy” who used to collect ladybugs in soda cans as a child, felt an immediate connection to the story.
“I’m a mom of three young kids, and I’ve read so many children’s books,” Hall said. “I wanted to create characters that draw kids back page after page. Kindness matters more than anything in the world we live in, and I hope this book is a good reminder of that for both kids and parents.”
Beyond the story’s message, the authors are committed to making a tangible difference. 100% of the royalties from the book’s sales this year will be donated to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana. The choice of charity is deeply personal, as Emily herself was a wish recipient during her illness.
“That’s the reason we wrote the book,” Endres said. “Emily received a wish, and donating these royalties is our way of paying it forward and hopefully granting another child’s wish.”
The community has already shown its support, with local bookstore DDR Books in downtown Watertown scheduled to host a book signing with both Endres and Hall on March 14th.
Little Bug Earns Her Spots is currently available for purchase on Amazon and through the author’s official Facebook page. For more updates on book readings and local events, followers are encouraged to check the authors’ social media channels.
