Bees tend to have a bad rap. Mention the word and everyone goes scrambling.
Today, I’m very excited to share with you a fabulous children’s story written by a very talented author, Lydia Lukidis, that explores the topic of bees, beekeeping, and how important these insects are for our world.
This story is part of the ‘Makers Make it Work’ series from Kane press, that shares easy-to-read stories focusing on problem-solving and hands-on action.
Title: THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST
Ages: 5-8
Series: Makers Make It Work
Author: Lydia Lukidis
Illustrator: Andre Ceolin
Publisher: Kane Press
Book Features: Activities, Original artwork, and Educational Sidebars
Synopsis: Arun and Keya find the perfect tree for a tree house, but it’s full of bees—and their nest is falling apart! Can Arun and Keya help the bees find a new home?
Let’s meet the talented author, Lydia Lukidis!
This is such a great story exposing children to bees and their importance in our world. How did you get involved with Kane Press’s ‘Makers Make it Work’ series and where did you come up with the idea for THE BROKEN BEE’S NEST?
I started doing work-for-hire projects for educational publishers several years ago. They typically assign writers a topic. I had previously worked with Juliana Lauletta who was an editor at Kane Press (and is now the publisher), and she invited me to write a few books for the Science Solves It series. This resulted in two educational picture books, A REAL LIVE PET! and THE SPACE ROCK MYSTERY. I became passionate about writing nonfiction, especially creative nonfiction. From there, I met Jennifer Arena, an editor at Kane Press, and she invited me to write a book for the Makers Make it Work series. I picked the topic of beekeeping and ended up falling in love with these furry little creatures after writing the book THE BROKEN BEE’S NEST.
How long did it take you to write this story?
The timeline is usually fairly tight for work-for-hire projects, so you need to have your best thinking cap on. I write and edited the story (with the help of the Kane Pres editors) in under two months. That said, there was a slew of edits and feedback going back and forth. It’s actually nice to work within this deadline, because it forces you to keep moving forward.
Is this your first book with Kane Press?
It’s my third book with Kane Press (see above). I really love working with them. Once upon a time, I studied Pure and Applied Science. While I had an aptitude for science, I soon came to the realization that I didn’t want career in it. So I chose to get my University degree in English literature and poetry instead. Years later, I discovered I loved writing about STEM topics, and all the knowledge I had gathered during the years I studied science was coming into use. You never know what incredible path life will bring you on!
I love how you’ve intertwined bee facts within the story. What kind of research did you do for this story? Did you visit an apiary? If not, would you like to?
Thank-you. I do write straight nonfiction as well, but I especially love creative nonfiction. In this case, you weave the facts and educational matter into a story. It’s fun, engaging, and accessible for children. For research, it’s usually three tiered: I always start with books from my local library. Then I check out reputable websites, and then lastly, I speak to an expert when possible. In this case, I reached out to Kelsey Ducsharm from The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association. She was kind enough to answer my questions, and fact check the book and illustrations. It was very helpful, because as I learned, there are many misconceptions about beehives.
How many revisions did you go through?
On my end, there were dozens of revisions, and then I bounced the story back and forth to the Kane Press editors about 5 or 6 times. I always get flabbergasted by how many edits are necessary, even when the story has less than 1,000 words.
What’s coming up next for you?
I usually work on several manuscripts at a time, which is fun but can feel overwhelming. So I make a to-do list for the week and choose where I’ll place my focus. Right now, I’m finishing the first draft to my new middle grade novel (very exciting, and challenging!). I’m also working on several new picture books and a chapter book. Stay tuned for details!
If any readers want to learn more about you or follow you on social media, where can they find you?
Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/
Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydialukidis/?trk=hp-identity-name
Thank you for sharing this engaging children’s story exposing children to the importance of bees, problem-solving, and the process of collecting honey.
Thank-you! It’s a pleasure to stop by your blog. Through writing this book, I learned what a critical role bees play in our ecosystem and gained a new respect for them!
You can purchase THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST: BEEKEEPING here.
Did You Know?
Lydia Lukidis is a children’s author with a multi-disciplinary background that spans the fields of literature, science and theater. So far, she has over 40 books and eBooks published, as well as a dozen educational books. Her latest STEM books, A Real Live Pet! and The Space Rock Mystery were published by Kane Press.
Lydia also does school visits and gives writing workshops for children aged 5-12. Her aim is to help children cultivate their imagination, sharpen their writing skills and develop self-confidence while improving their literacy. She is currently part of the Culture in the Schools Program organized by the Ministre de Culture et Communications Québec. For more information, please visit: http://www.lydialukidis.com
Thanks for stopping by. Happy Reading!
Katie Walsh 