Inspired by faith, Catholic school alums publish environmental children’s book
Two high school students united their talents and passions to produce a bilingual children’s environmental stewardship book inspired by their faith and time at a Catholic school.
Chloe Lee and Kayla Lee are not related but became kindred spirits after meeting at the Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) in Tenafly in third grade. Their journey from classmates to co-authors reflects their deep-rooted Catholic values and commitment to protecting God’s creation.
Their book, “Flora the Earth Guardian,” follows the main character, Flora, as she addresses environmental issues in her community. It is fully illustrated and features English and Korean translations.
From classmates to co-authors
Chloe and Kayla graduated from eighth grade at OLMC in 2022. Although oceans now separate them, they remain forever friends. Chloe currently attends Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro. Kayla attends the International School of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic school in Tokyo, after relocating to Japan following graduation.
The two friends have maintained a close relationship despite living in different countries. “We instantly clicked, and throughout the years, we became closer and closer. We just became best friends,” Chloe said.
The girls’ shared experiences at OLMC played a significant role in inspiring their book. Their teachers encouraged both to be environmentally conscious through STEM projects that addressed social issues like hunger and climate change.
Their collaborative work on a story anthology in religion class sparked their idea to create a book together.
“At OLMC, we were always taught in religion class to be good stewards of the world and to also respect what God has given us,” Chloe said. “We just wanted to spread that message and make sure everyone knows that as God’s children, we all must do our part.”
Flora, the book’s main character, becomes aware of environmental issues in her community. Following a dream, Flora subsequently learns how small actions, such as conserving water and electricity, can make a difference.
Chloe explained that their desire to reach a broader audience and expand their outreach to youth in multiple countries motivated them to write a bilingual book. Chloe and Kayla both speak Korean, and Kayla’s mother assisted with the translation.
The girls pitched the book to a South Korean publisher, The Birth of a Writer (작가의 탄생), who subsequently bought the book. Readers can purchase the book on the publisher’s website for 11,700 South Korean won, or approximately USD $8.50.
A story inspired by Catholic teachings
Chloe and Kayla see their Catholic faith as integral to their environmental efforts. “Ever since I was young, Catholicism has really impacted my life,” Chloe said. “I always have been a strong believer in God and I think that strong faith has led me to want to share that with others.”
Kayla echoed this sentiment: “Attending Catholic school, we have always been told stories of Jesus doing so much for others and putting others before himself. Following him and being children of God, I have been motivated to do my part and really imitate him.”
Along with creating the book, both girls lead environmental advocacy efforts in their communities. As the Vice President of the Environmental Protection Initiative Club at Bergen County Tech, Chloe created an ecological magazine. She led a letter-writing campaign against a nuclear power plant expansion in Newark. She also organized fundraisers to support anti-nuclear causes. As President of the Social Service Council at her high school, Kayla organizes monthly cleanups of the polluted Tama River. She also co-founded the International Cooking Club, which focuses on food donations and disaster relief fundraisers.
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Their hope: inspiring environmental stewardship in children
The authors donated five copies of their book to their alma mater, and they signed one of those copies. They hope the book will reach as many children as possible, emphasizing youth’s role in environmental stewardship.
“I think that the Church should encourage young Catholics to think about the earth they have been given and its current state,” Kayla said. “We want to live on it for a long time. And it’s important for young Catholics to realize we have a duty to preserve it.”
Kayla suggests that young Catholics interested in environmental activism make efforts to support the Earth in any capacity, no matter how modest. “You don’t need to be a billionaire to help. Even as a kid, being a good environmentalist means doing small things like picking up trash or turning off lights,” Kayla said. “Small actions really do make a difference.”
Chloe also said young Catholics can help by influencing others to act. “It is also important to influence the people around you to do more for the environment,” she said. “I think this book can help younger Catholics grow up with the mindset that they can do simple things to positively impact the earth.”
Chloe and Kayla are already planning their next project—a trilogy featuring Flora and addressing social justice issues such as serving people experiencing poverty and living in harmony.
Featured Image: Chloe Lee (left) and Kayla Lee (right) co-authored a children’s book about environmental stewardship. They donated copies to their alma mater, the Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tenafly. (Courtesy Kayla Lee)
