A simple little ditty, shared between a grandmother and granddaughter, has led to a new childrenB次元官网网址檚 book by an 11-year-old author, all about self-esteem and saying no to drugs.

Lara Beattie, who lives in Central Saanich,says she woke up one morning B次元官网网址渁nd out of the blue, by gramma began reciting B次元官网网址楲ittle Suzie Walker is quite the little talker, she knows just what to say to keep the drugs awayB次元官网网址�.B次元官网网址�

It was that saying B次元官网网址� and her inquisitive and creative mind B次元官网网址� that sparked the idea of a story in LaraB次元官网网址檚 mind and had led to the publishing of the book #SuperTalker and Ugh! the Drug Bug.

LaraB次元官网网址檚 already a young writer, said her grandmother, Holly Beattie, during an interview at their Central Saanich home. She added she also talks with Lara a lot about the issue of drugs and drug use. Lara is about the age where children are curious, asking questions and beginning to have opinions about such things. Holly was a school teacher for many years and knows itB次元官网网址檚 a good thing to recognize this, and for parents to have meaningful conversations with their kids.

Lara agreed and said she wanted to write a story about a confident character who is able to resist temptation B次元官网网址� and feel good about their choices. Lara said sheB次元官网网址檚 been writing creatively for a long time, especially about cat tribes in the forest and dragons. This latest book is her first officially published work and became a summertime project for herself and her gramma.

The story is about Suzie Walker, the #SuperTalker. SheB次元官网网址檚 an empowered young girl who is able to talk back to anyone offering drugs B次元官网网址� like Ugh! the Drug Bug. Suzie meets the Drug Bug, who targets kids and tried to get them hooked on drugs.

B次元官网网址淏ut the Drug Bug doesnB次元官网网址檛 see how much self-esteem she has,B次元官网网址� Lara said.

Suzie is able to build a tower of self-esteem to overpower the Drug Bug, who is eventually squished by an elephant character that represents the strength in everyone. Each of the bookB次元官网网址檚 illustrations B次元官网网址� also drawn by Lara B次元官网网址� include the elephant.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a metaphor of how to stay in the light,B次元官网网址� added Holly. B次元官网网址淭he message in the book is about self-esteem, being able to recognize it and how to use it in order to make good choices.B次元官网网址�

Lara and Holly spent the summer writing outlines for the book and the illustrations. Holly said it was important to make sure the book was written from a kidB次元官网网址檚 perspective, so that it might spark positive conversations between children and their parents and teachers.

And it seems that their book has resonated with some of LaraB次元官网网址檚 classmates, friends and even at her school. She attends St. JosephB次元官网网址檚 School in Saanich and she has a buddy in Grade 1. She read it to her and Lara said her buddy drew a picture of Suzie for her.

The book has even got the attention of some teachers who used it as an example in their classrooms and it could soon be in the school library. Holly added they printed on about a dozen so far back on Oct. 25, and they have already been spoken for.

Lara is very happy with the reception B次元官网网址� and attention B次元官网网址� her book has gotten so far. She said she really enjoys writing and hopes to turn it into a career (as well as being a doctor and a singer!).

To find out more about #SuperTalker and Ugh! the Drug Bug, email smidjinpublishing@gmail.com or visit their website (still in progress) www.smidjinpublishing.com.

editor@peninsulanewsreview.com