Central Saanich author and nature preschool educator, Cynthia Mackey, has released her latest children's book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe, a vibrant and lyrical exploration of mindfulness, nature and overcoming anxiety.
The book, paired with stunning illustrations by Vikki Zhang, aims to teach children (and adults) how to navigate life's unexpected moments with grace and courage.
It opens with the whimsical advice: "If a bumblebee lands on your toe, pretend you are freeze dancing and the music stopped. If you move, you lose the game."
This playful instruction sets the stage for a story about stopping, observing and appreciating the simple joys of life, even in the face of fear or uncertainty.
"It's a book about mindfulness and our connections to nature," Mackey explained. "It's about how those things can help us overcome anxiety and fear."
While intended for children, Mackey admitted the book carries a deeper message for adults as well.
She drew inspiration from the everyday disruptions and anxieties that can often throw people off balance.
"I was thinking about all the things that can fly into your life unexpectedly, like all of a sudden we're in a pandemic, someone cuts you off in traffic…maybe you're stuck on hold for an hour and you're frustrated," Mackey said.
"Things happen, and some people for some reason can just let it all slide and some people struggle and get stuck in it."
Mackey hopes the book provides a tool for those who struggle with these situations, offering a way to step back and regain composure.
"Maybe a young child will take it literally, like I can be braver about bees. But, maybe an older child and their adults reading to them will see the figurative part of it."
The inspiration for If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe came from an encounter Mackey had years ago with a 5-year-old girl who was deeply concerned about the plight of bumblebees.
"She was really sad because she loved strawberries and she wondered, would she still be able to eat them because she understood the whole idea of the bumblebees being pollinators," Mackey recounted. "I was just so impressed by her."
This experience, combined with her work as a nature preschool educator, solidified her desire to create a book that celebrated the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of mindfulness.
Mackey manages the nature program at Arbutus Grove Children’s Centre, bringing her passion for the outdoors and environmental education to her work every day.
If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe represents a culmination of these experiences, offering a “multi-layered story with stunning visual appeal."
The book was first released in the United States on May 20, followed by its Canadian release on May 31.
Mackey celebrated the Canadian release with a book signing at Indigo Mayfair Shopping Centre.
Early reviews have praised the book's lyrical text and whimsical illustrations.
One Amazon reviewer wrote, "The illustrations burst with colour and life, with so much to look at on each page."
Mackey expressed her pride in illustrator Vikki Zhang, a comic artist based in Shanghai, for her ability to add unexpected and delightful details to the story.
Adding to the book's success, Zhang recently won a Bronze award at the prestigious ADC 104th Annual Awards, which celebrates outstanding achievement in advertising, digital media, graphic and publication design worldwide.
"It’s frameable art," Mackey remarked. "That's what a picture book needs to be – the words and the art working together to tell the story. I think it does that."
If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe is Mackey’s third published book, following her self-published works Katie Schaeffer Pancake Maker (2017) and The Lullaby Monsters (2020).
Mackey views this new book as a gift to her community.
In a gesture of generosity, she donated one of the first copies of the book to the little library located beside the old West Saanich School building in Brentwood Bay.
"Giving something I've made to my community with the hope that someone may share and appreciate it makes me feel wonderful," Mackey said.
When asked about her thoughts as she placed her book in the little library, Mackey replied, "A piece of myself."
She hopes the book will inspire readers of all ages to embrace bravery and resilience.
"This is me saying, whatever flies into your life, you have the power to be courageous and overcome that thing that you think you can't. I want people to know that."
