YOUR child is sure to be buzzing with newfound information once they have read Cathy Stephen’s Bee Happy Bailee visually impactful children’s book about bees.
Graphic designer by trade, she has helped compile and design numerous fictional stories for other authors and, at 60 years old, she decided there was no better time than the present to create her own.
Alongside an easy-to-follow fictitious tale about Bailee, a worker bee, is a book that is bursting with golden information about the importance of bees in the world and why they are needed in nature.
“My son is an apiarist, he rehomes bees, rescues them, builds and maintains beehives and also sells honey. The idea behind this book was that I felt there was a need for children, especially those who love nature, to learn what bees are about. So many children think that bees are out there to sting you, but they are really there to help plants and trees grow,” she said.
Bailee’s journey begins on Dylan’s fictional farm in KwaZulu-Natal and the reader follows her journey from the hive, from pollen to nectar, the ins and outs of the hive, the collection of honey to when it is eventually sold at the market.
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“Meet all of the other bees in the hive and the different jobs they have,” smiled Stephen.
The book is aimed at children from nine to 12 years old as well as children who are inquisitive about nature.
Bailee’s story can be found on each right hand page while the left had side is filled with interesting facts about bees.
Each page is in glorious colour and is a mix of cartoon pieces (the main characters) and real life stills, many of which were taken by Stephen’s 25-year-old son, Dylan.
Stephen’s started compiling the book in March and sent it off for print in September.
“It feels like an accomplishment and I didn’t think I could do it and am very proud of myself,” she beamed.
The book is available for purchase for R165 per copy and can be purchased at Books 2 You at the Stonehouse Nursery in Botha’s Hill and will soon be available to purchase online at books2books.
Alternatively, contact 083 795 8599 or email cathy@thumbprint.co.za.
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