Ms. Heatherann Rose, Las Vegas Children’s Author & Gardener
Meet Ms. HeatherAnn Rose
Heatherann Rose is an independent and creative supermom who adeptly juggles various roles. As a mother of three incredible girls, she takes on the responsibilities of parenthood with dedication. As a 'gardenpreneur' and garden teacher, Heatherann is deeply involved in cultivating her passion for gardening. She is also a self-published author and extends her warmth as a friend to anyone she encounters on her journey.
Originally hailing from a small town just outside Napa, CA, Heatherann was privileged to be surrounded by stunning landscapes during her upbringing. In 2003, she made her way to Las Vegas, where she pursued her education at UNLV and earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. The subsequent blossoming of her life took a significant turn when she became a mother to her beautiful daughters, Audrey and Poppy.
Amidst the challenges brought about by the Covid era, Heatherann embraced gardening fervently, growing a diverse range of plants. Her garden became not only a personal haven but also a space where she shared her love for gardening with her daughters and expressed a desire to extend that passion to others.
What is La Vie En Rose?
“La Vie En Rose has been a staple phrase that has blossomed in all avenues of my life, including changing my last name to match my three daughter’s middle names. In every opportunity I will always choose roses. The literal French translation means “Life in Pink.” Its metaphor means to look at life with rose colored glasses, and to view the world with a positive and beautiful perspective. My garden is an ecosystem supported by many different gardens, and it gives to all the surrounding life that enters. With a bachelor's in elementary education, I have found my place of education in the garden. While my love for gardening has progressed over the years, I found a new opportunity in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. Through obsessive research and practice, I transformed my backyard fully into a life-giving ecosystem. I eventually ran out of space, but not passion, and began helping my neighbors plan their gardens. I began to plant seeds by starting a movement via social media by educating and encouraging others that gardening can be possible – even in the desert environment of the Las Vegas valley! This is where I discovered the massive need for garden guidance, and thus began this business. For even in a desert, a garden can flourish and yield a bountiful harvest.
Through my gardening adventures, I began to see my daughters interact in the garden and was inspired to write children’s books. Together we fell in love with experiencing the flow and life living together right in our backyard and we wanted to continue to share that excitement with others in book form. Thus, the birth of La Vie En Rose Gardens as a publisher and The Rose Sisters Garden Series.
“All the ways to spend time in the garden are my favorite ways to spend time in the
garden. Being in the garden allows me to witness the growth and survival of a beautiful space, observe
life in various forms, and build connections with our pollinator friends. It’s truly magical and
ever-evolving.”
These books teach children that every garden space is more than just plants; it’s a thriving and living ecosystem that can be self-sustaining. The stories are narrated through the young eyes of my daughters, Audrey and Poppy, as they share their gardening experiences, from planting and harvesting to various activities and sharing. Rather than traditional storytelling, I’ve crafted these books with engaging rhymes and inquiry-based learning to captivate young readers. I have self-published 3 books, and I have many more in the works. The first book in the series I encourage familles to grow what they love, we love Growing Rosees. The second, we encourage families to grow what they love to eat, we love strawberries. The third, we encourage families to grow to support the pollinators, The Pollinator ABCs. Currently, I have the privilege of serving as a garden teacher at Foothills Montessori School. Here, I provide a hands-on learning experience for students, guiding them through the entire process - from sprouting seeds to sowing, composting, and welcoming pollinators. This role combines my background in education with my passion for gardening, allowing me to nurture young minds and foster a love for the natural world.
Chatting with Ms. Heatherann Rose
What drove you to start writing your children’s books?
Childhood goes by so fast, and I found that being in the garden slowed things down for a moment. It’s where I took my girls to bend down and taught them to stop and smell the flowers and observe what’s living and growing in the garden. I wanted them to see the garden as a living ecosystem, just like our planet, and I couldn’t find books that captured this essence. So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and write them myself.
What has your journey in self-publishing been like?
Self-publishing has been quite the journey, and I have learned more than I expected. Being a self-publisher, you’re more than an author. You’re a writer, an editor, a formator, a visionary artist, a marketer, an event manager, and a whole lot more than I can think of at this moment. Being a self-published author has allowed me to maintain creative control and bring my vision to life. You can frequently find me at local book fairs, farmers’ markets, author visits at schools, and community events, where I engage with families who share my passion for gardening and learning. If you want to request an author visit, check out my website heatheranrose.com.
What are your favorite Las Vegas Gardens?
I am pretty biased, and have to say my favorite gardens are my own. However, I also have a soft spot for the rose gardens along Paseo Verde near Discovery Park and any gardens associated with Garden Farms, I admire what they’re doing in our community.
What advice would you give to somebody starting their own children’s book business?
Know what you want and be prepared for the journey. I chose the path of self-publishing, which can be challenging but extremely rewarding. It’s super important to understand the each step of the process and be patient with yourself with all that needs to be learned along the way. Remember that self-publishing is not about creating stories; it’s also about marketing and building relationships.
What do you envision for yourself within the next five years?
In five years, I envision my one-acre property flourishing with life, from thriving plants to buzzing pollinators and an engaged community. I aspire to create a community garden in my own backyard, providing experiences for anyone that comes. I hope to continue experimenting in the garden and finding new inspirations for my series, enriching the lives of young readers and gardeners.
