Guelph author publishes children’s book to address youth mental health
GUELPH – A Guelph author’s children’s book, Rudy’s Belly of Bees, has made an international debut.
Written by Shannon Schaefer, Rudy’s Belly of Bees is an illustrated children’s book designed to develop emotional awareness in youth and introduce coping mechanisms.
In the book, Schaefer compares the feeling of anxiety to that of a belly of bees – introducing a barrier-free language for children to relate to.
Since publishing in early November, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository and several other distributors have picked up the title.
The book is also available for purchase in eBook format from Google Books, Apple Books and Kobo.
“Becoming an international author feels surreal,” said Schaefer, who began writing the book at the start of the pandemic.
“I wrote Rudy’s Belly of Bees as the book I wish I had owned as a child experiencing anxiety, and now it is available to children around the world.”
Readers follow Rudy throughout her day as she navigates strange, new feelings and learns coping strategies – including mindful breathing and grounding exercises – after waking up on the day of her school’s relay race with a belly full of bees.
Published by Friesen Press, Rudy’s Belly of Bees premiered at #6 on Amazon Canada’s Hot New Releases in Children’s Books on Emotions and Feelings.
