ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
There is an otherworldliness to this book, set in the Carolinas between the sea and the land, where the fresh water mixes with salt. Henry is living with his Aunt Lilla, who keeps bees, and rather than being afraid, he feels he can talk to them, and do their dance, to tell them where to go.
It is a dreamtime sort of story. And it is based on the authors own time with his grandmother, who did not keep bees, but who had bees in her garden.
This picture below, where the boy is trying to lure the bees to their new house, and instead they follow him to the porch where he is taking a nap, shows just how unafraid he is.
Lovely book about being one with nature, and respecting it as well. Plus, kids get to learn about bees. :)
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
It is a dreamtime sort of story. And it is based on the authors own time with his grandmother, who did not keep bees, but who had bees in her garden.
This picture below, where the boy is trying to lure the bees to their new house, and instead they follow him to the porch where he is taking a nap, shows just how unafraid he is.
Lovely book about being one with nature, and respecting it as well. Plus, kids get to learn about bees. :)
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
antlersantlers's review against another edition
1.0
LOL this book was published in 2018?!? WHY. Truly a book no one needs. The author was the keynote at MPL's recent children's staff development day and he was the W-O-R-S-T. He is so condescending and rude and dismissive, and is convinced that his book and his work is amazing. There is no circumstance where we would use this in the library. There are GREAT books about bees -- non-fiction, picture books, diverse authors, diverse illustrations -- and ones where the author isn't an unbelievable turd. Also the text is so long and also terrible! Woof.
Keep it.
Keep it.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
2.0
This one was cute, but I was hoping it talked about how bees are vanishing and what we can do to help.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful artwork. It conveys softness and a sense of wonder. A boy is with his aunt and uncle who own bees. He loves working with the bees. The story goes into the importance of bees without being preachy.
I felt better after reading this book. The kids enjoyed this book too. They said it was fair.
I felt better after reading this book. The kids enjoyed this book too. They said it was fair.
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I always feel that I need to so a shout out to the illustrator first, in this case, Jim LaMarche. His soft illustrations in colored pencil/watercolor? style is calming and fits the setting of the tidal area of South Carolina and the story well. There wasn't a ton going on, which is why they were calming and beautiful, yet they were expansive and made you want to explore the marshes and outlines of the designs further. (an odd feeling that I don't remember having with a picture book before.)
Onto the story by Lester Laminack. It was charming and calming as well with Henry's simple life with his Aunt Lila. The story centers on the bees and Aunt Lila telling Henry that he isn't old enough yet to really help, yet allowing him to help from a distance with the smoker. As all children are, Henry is impatient and can't wait to get his own bee suit.
As he sits on a stump nearby, his Aunt slowly teaches him about bees and bee colonies and while he has helped with other tasks on the small farm, like gathering eggs, the bees and their habits fascinate them. (The epilogue mentions that Laminack is also entranced by Bees and gives a few interesting facts to interest you as well as a site to learn more.)
Soon, there is a swarm and, like many kids, Henry can't wait to do whatever it is that he's not old enough for yet. All works out well, yet...my one issue with this delightful book is that he is almost rewarded for doing something that an adult told him not to, instead of at least getting a message that he needs to listen when an adult says no.
However, I love the book for teaching about bees and appreciate Henry's personal attachment to one specific thing or animal on the farm. As bees and their pollinating are vital for most or not all of our food production, it's important for kids to learn about them and hopefully continue to do so as they grow up since many species are in trouble right now. Therefore, I'll give the lack of a warning or punishment a pass and chalk it up to a teachable moment for parents when they are finished sharing it with their kids.
Onto the story by Lester Laminack. It was charming and calming as well with Henry's simple life with his Aunt Lila. The story centers on the bees and Aunt Lila telling Henry that he isn't old enough yet to really help, yet allowing him to help from a distance with the smoker. As all children are, Henry is impatient and can't wait to get his own bee suit.
As he sits on a stump nearby, his Aunt slowly teaches him about bees and bee colonies and while he has helped with other tasks on the small farm, like gathering eggs, the bees and their habits fascinate them. (The epilogue mentions that Laminack is also entranced by Bees and gives a few interesting facts to interest you as well as a site to learn more.)
Soon, there is a swarm and, like many kids, Henry can't wait to do whatever it is that he's not old enough for yet. All works out well, yet...my one issue with this delightful book is that he is almost rewarded for doing something that an adult told him not to, instead of at least getting a message that he needs to listen when an adult says no.
However, I love the book for teaching about bees and appreciate Henry's personal attachment to one specific thing or animal on the farm. As bees and their pollinating are vital for most or not all of our food production, it's important for kids to learn about them and hopefully continue to do so as they grow up since many species are in trouble right now. Therefore, I'll give the lack of a warning or punishment a pass and chalk it up to a teachable moment for parents when they are finished sharing it with their kids.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
4.0
Henry wants to help his Aunt Lilla with her bees. One day he gets the opportunity.
A lovely story of the magic of bees, with beautiful illustrations.
A lovely story of the magic of bees, with beautiful illustrations.
librarianryan's review
3.0
This is an endearing story of a boy who helps with grandma with the bees on her property. He wonders why there is no king bee, and sets about becoming said king. The story is quite lovely, but a little slow for my personal taste. But having said that, we need more bee books, as we need to grow the population of bees.
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