Books by Stellas

Books By Stellas C.I.C. is a remarkable student-led social enterprise with a powerful mission at its heart: to foster greater understanding and break down the stigma surrounding Autism and Special Educational Needs (SEN). Founded and driven by passionate young individuals, this non-profit organisation is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and communities across Northern Ireland, with aspirations for a global reach.

Inspired by Personal Experience, Driven by Purpose: The genesis of Books By Stellas C.I.C. is deeply personal and incredibly inspiring. It was founded by Aimée Clint, a talented Queen's University Belfast Business Management student. Aimée's journey began with her brother's Autism diagnosis. She recognised a significant gap in accessible, child-friendly resources that could help young people understand Autism and why their peers with SEN might react differently to everyday situations. This personal insight ignited a desire to create a tool that would educate, empathise, and ultimately, build a more inclusive society.

No Two Stars are the Same - Story time with Aimée

The Guiding Star: "No Two Stars Are The Same" The flagship publication of Books By Stellas C.I.C. is their beautifully crafted and impactful children's book, "No Two Stars Are The Same." This book is designed to engage Key Stage 2 children (typically ages 7-11), and older, by helping them step into the shoes of characters with Autism. Through engaging narratives and thoughtful illustrations, the book addresses common scenarios, explaining how individuals with Autism may perceive and react to the world differently.

Key features of "No Two Stars Are The Same" include:

• Empathy-Building Narrative: The story encourages readers to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives, fostering compassion and reducing misconceptions about Autism.
• Dyslexia-Friendly Font and Pastel Graphics: Recognizing the importance of accessibility, the book is designed with a dyslexia-friendly font and calming pastel-coloured illustrations, ensuring it caters to a wide range of young readers.
• Interactive Elements: The book often incorporates subtle visual cues, such as a star on each page, to provide insight into a character's emotions or to prompt discussion, making the learning experience interactive and memorable.
• Educational Facts Page: To reinforce learning, the book includes an interesting facts page, allowing children to test their knowledge and deepen their understanding of Autism.

A Social Enterprise with a Powerful Pay-It-Forward Model: What truly sets Books By Stellas C.I.C. apart is its unwavering commitment to social impact. Operating on a "buy one, give one" model, for every copy of "No Two Stars Are The Same" purchased, Books By Stellas C.I.C. donates another copy to local primary schools across Northern Ireland. This direct and impactful initiative ensures that vital educational resources reach classrooms where they can have the most profound effect – shaping the minds of young people to be more understanding and accepting of neurodiversity from an early age. Their long-term vision is to expand this donation model globally, spreading their message of inclusivity far and wide.

Location and Accessibility: While the core operations and the dedicated team behind Books By Stellas C.I.C. are based in Ballywalter, Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, their primary distribution channels are digital and through selected partners. You can purchase their books directly from their official website. Additionally, for those in Belfast, physical copies can often be found at The Bobbin Cafe in Belfast City Hall.

More Than Just Books: Advocacy and Awareness: Beyond publishing, Books By Stellas C.I.C. plays an active role in advocacy and raising awareness. Aimée Clint, the driving force, has been recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit (including being awarded Europe's Top Entrepreneur Under 20 in 2019) and serves as a Young Ambassador for Social Enterprise Northern Ireland. This allows her to educate other young people about the benefits and impact of working within the social sector, inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

Impact and Vision: Books By Stellas C.I.C. is making a tangible difference by:

• Educating future generations: Equipping children with the knowledge and empathy to understand and support their peers with SEN.
• Breaking down stereotypes: Challenging preconceived notions about Autism and promoting acceptance.
• Empowering young leaders: Demonstrating how student-led initiatives can create meaningful social change.
• Supporting local schools: Providing valuable learning resources to foster inclusive classroom environments.

In essence, Books By Stellas C.I.C. embodies the principle that small actions can lead to significant impact. Through their beautifully crafted book and their dedicated social mission, they are building a more empathetic and understanding world, one star – and one child – at a time.