'Blossom Finds a New Hive,' a children's picture book from the Auburn Creative District, is out now. It follows a honeybee who leaves her prairie hive, crosses the Missouri River bridge at Brownville, and finds a place in Auburn. It is the first published book for author Dawn Weiss and her daughter, illustrator Reagan Jordan, both of Auburn.
The character belongs to Leslie Clark, executive director of the Auburn Creative District, who carried the idea for roughly three years before she had anyone to draw it. It grew out of the community conversations that led to the district's creation and certification in October 2024.
'Auburn has struggled with identity,' Clark said, describing what she heard from residents. 'We're not trying to replace anything, but we're opening up the circle and saying, maybe you're not a Bulldog. Maybe you or your kids didn't go to school here. There's more to our community than this one niche area.'
