Who is the event for? This group is only for those enrolled in Grades 4, 5, 6, and 7.

The group is intended to allow peers in the same grades to meet. There is a strong focus on peer interaction.

When and where is the meeting? Wednesday, 3/15 @ 5:00 – 5:45 pm, the Library, 2nd Floor Board Room

Everyone who signs up and shows up to the event will get a link to an advance copy ebook of Moth Keeper!

The first 12 who sign up will get a finished paperback copy of Moth Keeper, with a signed book plate from K. O’Neill!

To register for Bee Yourself, scroll down to the blue “Register Now” button.

To register for the Book Discussion, follow the link: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/kru-moth-keeper/

What is Bee Yourself? In an affirming safe space, kids will be able to meet up, hang out, and influence the activities the group will choose to do each month!

This month’s focus: Meet and chat with award winning graphic novel author and artist K. O’Neill. We will meet in-person at the library and use the magic of Zoom to meet with K. O’Neill who is located in New Zealand! K. O’Neill’s new book The Moth Keeper, with themes of found family, hope, and friendship will be coming out on Mar 07, 2023.
The first 12 kids who sign up and show up will receive a copy for free on the day of the event with a signed bookplate from K. O’Neill.

What is this book about?

Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper decides to take a break from the moon and see the sun for the first time? A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about passion, duty, and found family.

Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn’t exactly what Anya thought it would be?

The nights are cold in the desert and the lunar moths live far from the village. Anya finds herself isolated and lonely. Despite Anya’s dedication, she wonders what it would be like to live in the sun. Her thoughts turn into an obsession, and when Anya takes a chance to stay up during the day to feel the sun’s warmth, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.

K. O’Neill brings to life a beautifully illustrated fantasy world about responsibility to yourself and your community. The Moth Keeper is filled with magic, hope, and friendship.

K. O’Neill is an author and illustrator based in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a lover of nature, tea, and growing things. They strive to make books with themes of kindness, inclusiveness, and well-being, with worlds that children can play in and characters they can explore these ideas alongside. Past acknowledgments of their work include: 2019 Eisner nominee for Best Children’s Comic (Aquicorn Cove), 2018 Eisner winner for Best Children’s Comic, 2018 Eisner winner for Best Webcomic, 2018 Harvey co-winner for Best Children’s Comic, 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award winner for Kids’ Comics (The Tea Dragon Society), 2017 ALA Amelia Bloomer List, 2017 Dwayne McDuffie Kids’ Comics Award nominee (Princess Princess Ever After).