ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Buncombe County Schools student Valencia Kitt likes to take steps into her imagination.

What You Need To Know

  • Buncombe County Schools student Valencia Kitt published her book “The Little Girl and the Snake”
  • It is an entirely female-made book, including women from across the world, something that was very important to her
  • The book involves the main character becoming a scientist
  • The National Girls Collaborative Project states that women are underrepresented in the STEM workforce, as its 2023 report states they constitute 34% of it

“There’s so much of the world we don’t know,” Kitt said. “All we know is just tables and walls, but there’s so much out there that we don’t know.”

Sometimes those steps are into her creativity, and others are into the literal outdoors.

“‘Even though she knew snakes could be dangerous, she had a strong desire to chase it,’” Kitt read through the pages. 

The “she” Kitt refers to, is the main character in a book — her book that she recently published, "The Little Girl and the Snake." 

She wrote it at the age of 8 for a creative writing assignment. 

“My mom rediscovered it, and said this would be a great book, because it has such a good message to it,” Kitt said.

The snake teaches the main character the importance of friendship.

“Reciprocity is really important in friendships,” she said. “To have a good friend you have to be a good friend.”

In return, the girl aspires to protect the snake. 

“She decides to become a snake scientist, and for generations she has taught her friends and family that snakes should not be feared but should be respected,” Kitt said.

She wants to send messages not only about girls in natural sciences but also about wildlife. 

“Snakes are usually portrayed as evil characters and that also shows like sharks and other things,” Kitt said. “If they’re portrayed as evil, people will want to harm them even though all they do is actually help the ecosystem, they don’t destroy it.”

Cover to cover, it is an entirely female-made book, including women from across the world, something that was very important to Kitt. 

“I chose to do all women because it was important to show that you don’t need a man to help with things,” Kitt said. “Women have all of the ability to help with things. And also, this book is mainly about a girl becoming a scientist.”

The National Girls Collaborative Project states that women are underrepresented in the stem workforce — its 2023 report states they constitute 34% of it. 

Kitt said there are many jobs she used to view as solely male positions, but that view is changing.

“It is interesting to think that it doesn’t matter what you are, no matter your gender or anything, you can follow your interests to the full extent,” Kitt said.