The Story Behind Tully the Tadpole: Celebrating What Makes Us Different
Remember Goliath? That giant tadpole who captured hearts across the internet a few years back when he refused to follow nature’s playbook. While most tadpoles transform into frogs or toads, Goliath just kept growing, staying true to his tadpole self in all his oversized glory.
It turns out Goliath’s tale sparked something in author Ashley Ruggirello, who saw in that stubborn little (well, not so little) tadpole the perfect inspiration for a children’s book. The result? “Tully the Tadpole (Who Never Became a Toad)”, a story that celebrates staying true to yourself, even when everyone around you is changing.
The Story Behind the Story
“After I had my first child, when Twitter was still Twitter, someone posted about Goliath, the tadpole who never evolved and just continued to grow,” Ashley explains. “Being in the new mom headspace, and only having time to read rhyming picture book after rhyming picture book, my mind immediately jumped to: there’s a kid’s book somewhere in this tadpole’s story.”
Image credit: Ashley Ruggirello
That spark of inspiration hit fast. “Within the day I had a rough first draft, that I continued to fine-tune over the year. Not long after, I recruited my artist sister to paint the illustrations in watercolor.”
Ashley’s story follows Tully, a tiny tadpole who’s “a bit terrified to leave their pond home and become a toad.” The message is simple: “It showcases how our differences make us special, and we don’t have to change just because those around us are changing. There’s no better person to be than YOU.”
Ashley’s Writing Journey
Ashley isn’t new to the writing world. She’s been crafting stories since fifth grade, when she attempted her first young adult novel inspired by Lois Lowry’s “The Giver” (which she says is still a favorite). Before Tully came along, she’d already written three full-length young adult novels and published what she calls a “coffee table cookbook” titled “From Dill to Dracula: A Food + Folklore Cookbook.”
Image credit: Ashley Ruggirello
“So it’s no surprise to me, or any of my family and friends, that I had a kid’s picture book written and ready for publication,” she says.
The Joys of School Visits
One of the most delightful aspects of being a children’s book author? The unpredictability of young readers. “Kids really do say the darndest things!” Ashley shares. “I’ve had the most random, unrelated questions asked of me at school readings, things I definitely didn’t prepare for, and had to stumble through a response for.”
Anyone who’s spent time with kids knows exactly what she means. They have zero filter and infinite curiosity, a combination that keeps authors on their toes and conversations wonderfully unpredictable.
Literary Influences and Family Favorites
Ashley’s childhood reading shaped her as both a reader and writer. Beyond “The Giver,” she cites Louis Sachar’s “Holes” as particularly influential: “I still remember being a magical experience to read through.”
As for current family favorites, Ashley admits that choosing is “TOUGH” since her boys “devour books.” The constant rotation in their house includes “Dino Racing” by Wheeler, “Buffalo Fluffalo” by Kalb, and “Diggersaurs” by Whaite. Any parent of book-loving kids knows the challenge of picking favorites when your shelves are overflowing with beloved stories.
More Than Just a Story
“Tully the Tadpole” incorporates educational elements that parents and teachers will appreciate. The book features “Tadpole Tidbits” throughout, offering fascinating facts about the tadpole life cycle and habitat. There are also reading comprehension questions at the end for older readers, making it a versatile choice for various ages and learning levels.
The learning doesn’t stop with the book itself. Ashley’s website, TullyTheTadpole.com, offers printable activities including iSpy games, mazes, and coloring pages, plus even more educational Tadpole Tidbits.
Image credit: Ashley Ruggirello
A Message That Resonates
When I asked Ashley what she hopes young readers will take away from Tully’s story, her answer was straightforward: “To stay true to themselves, no matter what comes their way!”
In a world where kids face constant pressure to fit in, change, or become something they’re not, Tully’s message feels both timely and timeless. Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply be yourself, whether you’re a tadpole who never becomes a toad or a kid who marches to their own beat.
Dream Big (and Wild)
I asked Ashley about her dream magical ability from children’s literature. Her answer? The morphing powers from the Animorphs series. “I’ve always loved animals, and the ability to morph into one (or many) would be too cool to pass up. Imagine soaring the skies as a hawk, or racing through the savanna as a cheetah! Wild!”
It’s exactly the kind of answer that shows why Ashley connects so well with young readers. She still has that sense of wonder and adventure that makes childhood magical.
Where to Find Ashley and Tully
You can follow Ashley’s journey on Instagram @ashleyrugg, visit her author website at amruggirello.com, or explore Tully’s world at TullyTheTadpole.com.
“Tully the Tadpole (Who Never Became a Toad)” is recommended for readers ages 0-10, making it perfect for family reading time, classroom discussions about being different, or any moment when a child needs reminding that being themselves is more than enough.
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