Local TOPS Club Member Authors Her First Ever Children’s Book
Barbara Brueggemann told the story of how she created her book to the TOPS Club after presenting a free copy to the Mascoutah Public Library. (L to R Kathy Roberts, Joel Pikora and Barbara Brueggemann
By Zachary Daum
Barbara Brueggemann, a local author who originates in Freeburg and a member of the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club in Mascoutah, recently donated her children’s book, “Daisy – A True Story of a Brave Duck,” to the Mascoutah Public Library. Alongside her illustrator, Erika Borowski, Barbara presented the book, which tells the heartwarming true story of a duck she befriended and helped rescue at the Freeburg Park. The author also shared her story with members of the TOPS Club, reading from the book to the club before making the library donation.
Barbara’s inspiration for Daisy came from her daily walks in Freeburg Park. One day, she encountered a duck that appeared out of place and in need of help. “She showed up three days in a row and I just felt something was up with this duck,” Barbara recalled. Over time, she developed a bond with the duck, feeding her and earning her trust. This connection deepened when Barbara discovered the duck tangled in fishing line, which prevented her from walking properly. Despite numerous calls to various agencies, it was the local fire department that ultimately came to the rescue. Using kayaks, they managed to free the duck from the fishing line. Barbara’s heartfelt story, filled with moments of courage and compassion, forms the backbone of Daisy.
“I wanted to include messages in the book that would stick with kids,” Barbara explained. “For instance, just because someone’s different, you don’t treat them badly. I also wanted to discourage actions like throwing rocks at animals, which is sadly something I’ve seen before.”
The book’s illustrator, Erika Borowski, also hails from Freeburg. Barbara initially connected with Erika through her family, discovering her talent for art. Although Erika had never illustrated a book before, she brought Barbara’s vision to life with watercolor illustrations that captured the charm and emotion of the story.
“It was an adventure,” Erika shared about the creative process. “I had to understand Barbara’s vision and make it come to life while staying true to my own artistic style. It’s been such a fulfilling project, and I’m grateful for Barbara’s patience and intuition.”
This project marked a milestone for Erika, who had previously focused on freelance work, murals, and personal paintings. “It’s the first project with my name on it like this, and I’m so proud of what we’ve created,” she added. Erika can be reached for artistic inquiries at [email protected] or on Instagram @eriborowska.
Barbara’s passion for storytelling doesn’t stop with Daisy. She revealed that a sequel, “Daisy Meets Louis the Hedgehog,” is already in the works. While this upcoming story will be fictional, Barbara remains dedicated to incorporating meaningful messages for children.
Both Barbara and Erika expressed their hope that Daisy inspires joy and kindness in readers. As Barbara concluded, “Be kind to animals. That is the message at the heart of this story.” The book is available on Amazon, and readers can find it at the following link: https://a.co/d/cRe9CXc.
