Inspiring Kids Through Literature: Sara Stem Saves the Bees

Written by Denise Deby.

A children’s book with a strong female character who faces an environmental challenge and takes charge with a science-based solution—that’s Sara Stem Saves the Bees.

Local author Julia Cieslukowska created the story of Sara Stem, a girl who realizes something is happening with the bees. Sara uses her knowledge and the resources around her to find and carry out a solution. The book, written for two- to six-year-olds, illustrates that individual actions can make a difference for the environment.

I had the chance to meet Julia Cieslukowska at her book launch on November 16. Julia, who’s also doing a masters’ degree in international affairs at Carleton, wanted to write a book to empower kids, particularly those who don’t see themselves often represented in literature. You can read more about Julia’s motivation for writing the book here.

Julia has set up a Kickstarter campaign where people can purchase the book as well as make copies available to kids in Ottawa who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford the book. She needs to raise $3500 by November 29, 2014—the campaign is getting close to that goal, but if you’d like to check out the book or help out with the campaign you can check it out here.

(To find out what you can do to protect bees and other pollinators, check out the David Suzuki Foundation’s suggestions here.)