Volusia County student writes, illustrates, publishes climate-focused children's book

Growing up, Ahmed Eldeeb saw the real and devastating impacts of natural disasters.

The 17-year-old Spruce Creek High School senior was born in Egypt, raised in Bayonne, New Jersey, and moved to Florida when he was 11.

He and his family evacuated their New Jersey home during Hurricane Sandy, and returned to a house that was completely damaged by flooding. Now, as a Floridian, Eldeeb describes hurricanes as a “recurring threat.”

His experiences fueled his passion of advocating for a more sustainable and healthier future.

Eldeeb recently wrote and illustrated “Laila’s Toolbox,” a children's book that strives to educate youth on the health effects of climate change and encourage readers to use their voice for advocacy.

“The entire purpose (of why) I wrote this book was just to educate the community on a topic that I believe really isn’t talked about a lot, which is the health aspect of the climate crisis,” Eldeeb said.

He explained that as climate change intensifies, heat and radiation become more powerful, impacting the spread of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases.

“When anyone thinks about the climate crisis, we always think about how our environment and planet is suffering, while we’re not recognizing that we are receiving the first-hand effects of the climate crisis and that we have to carry this burden as we approach the future,” Eldeeb said. “And as a youth member of our society, I just want to ensure that we take that step and advocate for policies that support a sustainable future.”

Climate change activist, researcher

In addition to being an author, Eldeeb describes himself as a climate researcher and youth activist.

The bulk of his research focuses on the environmental effects of climate change.

Eldeeb has spent five years working on an award-winning micro-plastic filter which uses eco-friendly and biodegradable nanoparticles and magnetism from nanotechnology to gather microplastics that are nearly impossible — not to mention quite expensive — to collect from large bodies of water.

He said his filter, however, collects microplastics “in a cheap and cost-effective way while regulating the environment for the aquatic life.”

Additionally, with the help of a few friends, Eldeeb has hosted regular climate marches in Daytona Beach to benefit Fridays for Future and FXB International.

“It’s just (a way) to gather support from the community regarding the climate crisis and to educate people in our community regarding what’s going on,” he said.

About 'Laila's Toolbox'

Eldeeb spent seven months writing, illustrating, editing and publishing “Laila’s Toolbox.” Aside from having his three older sisters provide feedback, Eldeeb spearheaded the project all by himself.

His work is now available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble, and he plans to donate all sale profits to organizations in Chad working to confront climate change.

“Laila’s Toolbox” begins by introducing readers to Laila, the Muslim main character who is modeled after Eldeeb’s grandma.

“I dedicated this book to my teta (grandmother), who taught me values such as integrity, compassion and impact through both her stories and actions,” Eldeeb said in a statement. “She had a natural empathy toward others and would go out of her way to help those in need.”

Readers learn that Laila has trouble breathing. But her toolbox emits words and stories to guide her on a quest to find clean air.

“She found out, in the midst of this, that climate change impacted her health and affected her daily activities,” Eldeeb said. “But then she listened to the toolbox because the toolbox talked to her, and it said that it has the secrets of how to heal and how to show the world that she cares about climate change.”

Laila embarked on a quest, guided by her toolbox, and learned that her best tool is her voice. She then rounded up her friends and encouraged all of them to stand up as youth advocates, too.

“It leaves the readers with a message that through the words and voice of youth members, healing and a cleaner future becomes possible,” Eldeeb said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Spruce Creek senior writes climate-focused children's book