The Adventures of Deborah and Kite at the Big River

This is a story of adventure, friendship, and surprising discovery written by English author, Gillian Blackah-Kingsley, and beautifully illustrated by gifted artist, Nicola Hill.

Deborah, a young honey bee, decides to leave the safety of the bustling nest at Bluebell Meadows to go in search of the "golden flowers" far, far away at the Big River. Little did she know that her decision would lead her into a life-changing adventure. On her journey, she meets new friends: a young eagle named Kite, who is afraid of heights, and Emeth, a beautiful butterfly.

Their adventure unfolds into a tale of courage, true friendship, rescue, and family loyalty.

Can Deborah and her friends overcome the challenges they encounter at the Big River? And will they be able to find Deborah's missing uncle and bring him safely back home? Deborah also discovers a surprising family secret that has been long-hidden for generations--a secret that must be revealed for the good of the whole colony.

This engaging children's novel is the first in a series of books about Deborah and her friends and is bound to become a favorite for every reader, young and old!

About the Author
Blackah-Kingsley, Gillian P.: - Gillian was born in the north of England, the daughter of journalist and newspaper editor, Michael Blackah. Her great-great-grandfather was a published poet from the Yorkshire mining community of the late 1800s. Gillian recently discovered a gift for writing books and poetry and is finding joy in continuing the legacy of writing in her family line. This engaging novel is the first in a series of books she is writing about Deborah and her friends who live along the Big River. Like Deborah, Gillian has always loved having adventures and discovering new places to visit. She and her lovely husband, Steve, enjoy traveling together and meeting new people. They live in a mountain community in southern California, close to the Kingsley kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren.Hill, Nicola E.: - Nicola delights in curating experiences that open doors for people to escape into moments of delight. Whether through color, texture, flavor, or design, in the kitchen, on a canvas, on the page, or in a garden, she desires to create feelings of joy and pleasure through everything her hands touch. Digital art and illustration are a new adventure for her. Nicola grew up painting, drawing, and sculpting. She is an artist, chef, gardener, animal lover, mother, and wife, as well as a dreamer and visionary who lives to make the world a more beautiful place.Elkins, Anna: - Anna Elkins earned a BA in art and English, an MFA in Poetry, and a Fulbright Fellowship to write art-inspired poetry in Germany. She has won a few things and lost many others. She has written, painted, and taught on six continents. Along her travels, Anna has published several books and exhibited many paintings. One of her greatest joys is encouraging people to discover and delve into their creativity. Unofficial bits: I am Very Tall. I love dawns & dusks, sharing a good bottle of wine with good friends, and seeing a student write something she loves. And, I enjoy honey (in fact, I wrote a novel called The Honeylicker Angel that takes place on a beekeeper's barge). I also love to travel, but I'm finding that the best journeys don't require any gear or mileage. To paraphrase Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: the best adventure is simply opening the eyes of our hearts.