El Segundo’s Little Secret…What Happened to the Blues?

Author Cara King and illustrator Sarah Spraggins, both El Segundo High School seniors, will read from and sign copies of their book “El Segundo’s Little Secret…What Happened to the Blues?” The book features vibrant text and joyful illustrations to help educate children about the endangered blue butterfly (Euphilotes
allyni), the tiny mascot of El Segundo.

Interns with the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Conservancy, a 501(c)3 non-profit, Cara and Sarah devoted their time and talents to developing this illustrated children’s book to give back to their community and instill the importance of biodiversity to future changemakers. Cara and Sarah grew up in El Segundo and are avid environmentalists. 

The book is available for a donation of $15 or more. All donations go to the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Conservancy for planting, education, and outreach.

This project was funded by the City of El Segundo’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and the Cultural Development Fund. The grant covered the production of 1,000 paperback books, some of which will be donated to El Segundo schools, library, and Chamber of Commerce.

In the spring of 2024, the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Conservancy launched an initiative to plant Sea Cliff Buckwheat and other native pollinator species in the sand dunes along Memory Park on West Imperial Ave in El Segundo. To date, more than a quarter of an acre has been restored and is actively maintained. The return of the blue butterflies is anticipated in summer 2026!