Lima and Ina

by Mason Nassah

Parents: This is a very short educational book (approx. 25 pages) that teaches children about bees. It also shows them how to overcome anything they're scared of. It does that through the story of Lima and Ina, two sisters aged six and ten. Ten-year-old Ina is terrified of bees, and as a result, she wants to rid the world of them. When she gets stung by a bee, her fear worsens, and she runs and hides from her fear. But through gentle coaxing and education by her parents who expose her to books, articles, and a visit to the museum of science, she is able to learn more about bees. She understands how beneficial they are to humanity and this changes her whole outlook. The book not only illustrates how education can help to conquer a fear of bees but can be a template for any phobia. It encourages readers to address their anxieties by reading more, asking questions, and spending time learning about what they're afraid of. This short story is designed to be finished in one sitting, and the target audience is girls aged 8 to 12. For younger kids, parents can read the book aloud to them as a bedtime story. The book has no pictures (it is text-only) and takes around 20 to 30 minutes to finish.