To B or not to B, the answer to the question has always been obvious for Lexie Kareen.
The Chemainus mother of two chose to B all that she can B by writing a children’s book just before she turned 40, proving it’s never too late to accomplish any goal at any age. In her case, the life experiences of a 10-year-old girl named Bernadette – or B, for short – proved inspirational.
“This book is based loosely off my daughter,” said Kareen. “When I told her about it, she came to me and drew this picture.”
Illustrator A. Simioni designed the cover from the drawing.
“That was the push to publish my own book,” said Kareen of the drawing. “I loved writing my entire life, but never got to publish a book.”
Her daughter’s real name is Baillieann, known as B, and she’s now 12. The girl in the book has a brother named Hank. The real brother of Baillieann is Cassius, aged 10.
B – subtitled B Kind B Confident B Inspired – is 90 pages of ideal reading for children 7-11 years. The seven chapters – B Adventurous, B Patient, B Yourself, B Creative, B Inclusive, B Forgiving, B A Role Model – are individual but overlapping relatable stories that feature positive messages and life lessons about how young people can deal with certain situations that at first may not seem pleasant.
Kareen’s book was published June 20, only two weeks before her 40th birthday. A book launch was held June 25 at Russell Farm Market, with fun activities for kids and a meet-and-greet with the author that went well.
“The book is inspiring,” said Kareen. “Kids love the message. It’s got a really positive message and that’s what I wanted.”
It’s also been inspiring for people to match their own goals that may have been put off over the years to revisit them.
“The amount of people who’ve said ‘you inspired me,’ I feel that’s the biggest takeaway,” said Kareen. “The story is it’s never too late to do what you’re meant to do.
“Writing the book was great. It had a goal and friends of mine are so surprised they know the person who wrote the book.”
Born in Victoria, Kareen grew up mostly on the Island but spent a few years on the Lower Mainland and Kelowna before moving to Chemainus in 2010.
“I don’t fit into any boxes,” she said.
Kareen worked in real estate for a while and insurance, among other things, in addition to raising her family.
“I feel writing the book now is what really fills my cup up,” she confided.
“It took me about three weeks to write the book.”
Kareen daughter actually started a pony club at her school that the first chapter, B Adventurous, is about.
“I started with it and I thought I could turn it into a really good book,” she explained.
The first attempt at landing a publisher resulted in a rejection that’s typical for so many authors. But after Kareen read the first chapter, the publisher, YGT Media of Toronto, had a change of heart.
The book is available at Volume One Bookstore in Duncan or can be ordered online herefor $19.95, perhaps as an ideal Christmas gift for young readers.
Astute viewers of Global BC News might have noticed a copy of B on the bookshelf of legislative reporter Keith Baldrey when he’s on camera.
Kareen stresses she’s done her job as an author if the book inspires even just one child.
“That to me is more valuable than selling 20,000 copies,” she said.
And “by you doing something it can change someone else’s life,” Kareen added of being a first-time author.
The two combined factors have made it all worthwhile.
And she intends to come out with another book, C, of course, in the new year. We’ll C what happens with that project.