Well, Actually... I am Not a Bee
Children have authoritative knowledge on many topics but social barriers often keep them from speaking up and sharing what they know. Well, Actually... is a book series that works to unseat the gatekeepers that have limited space for children at the proverbial table of scientific content.
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This didactic children’s book creates kid-experts on misnomers in nature by guiding them through the process of correctly identifying a variety of organisms. Well, Actually…. I Am Not a Bee begins with an ecology primer that provides the young reader with background in mimicry and biological naming systems. After the primer, a variety of plant and animal species are investigated and compared to a bee. Each spread of pages will offer information about each highlighted species. This includes, geographic range, habitat, behavior, and so much more. The two characters, Evy and Dr. Mo, are inspired by the book’s illustrator, Evyn Caiazza, and author, Dr. Maureen Drinkard. They guide the reader and their understanding of each species in a fun and inviting way by creating a small narrative, having a conversation about the species, offering fun facts, or telling kid-friendly jokes about the organism.
SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS
Some of the book content has been created in conjunction with Project Dragonfly, a Masters’s Program that targets science teachers and conservation educators enrolled at Miami University (Ohio). We are actively seeking aid with marketing and publisher outreach for this project.
If you would like to apply to work with a BRI project, please contact us through our contact page or via email at contact@burningriverinstitute.org.
BOOK AUTHORS
Maureen Drinkard, PhD
Author
Evyn Caiazza
Illustrator
This elementary school book series is created by award-winning professor and ecologist, Dr. Maureen Drinkard, and accomplished biological illustrator, Evyn Caiazza. Not only have these two brought a partnership of their passions and skills to their first book series, but this mother-daughter duo have lifetimes of experience using science to empower people. Dr. Drinkard holds a doctorate in Ecology and has spent her career empowering her students (and children) to speak up and say “Well, Actually…” when they share their knowledge of ecological misnomers. Not only has she authored Well Actually... I am Not a Bee popular and scientific publications herself, but she has also helped countless students bring their own scientific and creative work to life. The series illustrator, Evyn Caiazza, has a BFA in Biomedical Illustration and is completing her MFA in Visual Communication Design while working full time as a Scientific Illustrator. She has worked closely with animal specialists, veterinarians, botanists, and doctors to create design and illustration work focusing on scientific education. Some of her clients include the Western North Carolina Nature Center, The Cleveland Zoo, and the Cleveland Clinic.