The Bee Connection

Meet Mason B. Chandler, owner of Stemville’s private detective agency. In her first case, Mason follows the clues to solve a sticky situation which has caused Bug Borough to come to a standstill. Not only does she reveal the truth about what happened, Mason introduces readers to the fascinating world of bees along the way.

Combining story, information and appealing illustrations, ‘The Bee Connection’ is an absolute must-have for any curious nature lover, class bookshelf or library. There is a feeling of Richard Scarry’s ‘Busy World’ to some spreads, drawing the reader into Mason’s world and encouraging them to linger over each spread, absorbing the details whilst other pictures really help to support and explain the text.

Following Mason on her investigation, readers are encouraged to notice details and develop their factual knowledge of the different varieties of bees and their lifestyles. So much information is given, but in such a readable, easily digested style, brilliantly supported by the illustrations, that there is never a feeling of being over-loaded or overwhelmed by facts. Paragraphs, labelled diagrams, captions and short snippets of text keep the reader interested and attentive.

The book concludes with practical suggestions for how to be ‘bee friendly’, encouraging readers to value and look after these incredible creatures. These would be simple to follow at home or in school and the book would make an invaluable resource for teachers, supporting the science curriculum, developing interest in STEM subjects and modelling information writing as well as perhaps inspiring children to draw and design their own bee characters who might live in Bug Borough!

Anyone familiar with the very excellent ‘Professor Astro-Cat’ series will have high expectations of this - and they will not be disappointed. Informative and entertaining, ‘The Bee Connection’ is an bee-rilliant read!

STEMville: The Bee Connection

Ben Newman

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838741266

Published February 1st 2024

You can read my reviews of Professor Astro-Cat’s ‘Human Body Odyssey’ here and ‘Deep Sea Voyage’ here.

NNFN2023: Honeybee

Combining poetic language, storytelling and factual information, ‘Honeybee’ is a delightful read, following the life of a bee from emerging from her waxed cell to the end of her life. With the scientific name Apis mellifera, the author names this new bee Apis as she emerges into a ‘teeming, trembling flurry’.

Everyone knows that bees fly, bussing around busily, but the author skilfully builds tension within this life story, ending each page with the expectation that Apis will fly off on the following spread. In truth, each new spread explores one of the many activities honey bees perform within the nest- cleaning, nursing, queen tending…the list goes on as the reader learns of all the tasks which must be completed until on the twenty-fifth day of her life, Apis leaps from the nest and flies.

The illustrations are stunning. Those depicting life within the confines of the nest are in darker hues with golden highlights contrasting with a spectacular double gatefold spread showing Apis’s first flight over a meadow peppered with the yellows and pinks of wildflowers. Although Apis dies at the end, the lifecycle continues with a new honeybee shown chewing their way from its cell. A labelled diagram of a honeybee and pages of additional information are included at the end of the book. This is a real beauty of a book, certain to engage and inspire!

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera

Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Pushkin Press ISBN: 978-1782694090

The Bee Who Loved Words

Persephone is a little bee who loves big words. As she collects them and writes them everywhere, everyone thinks she is very clever- except Queen Hermione who thinks she should spend more time hunting for flowers. But when words are needed, it’s Persephone who comes to the rescue!

Words are the most amazing things- and this book is brimming with word play, celebrating the importance of language and the power it has to make a difference! ‘The Bee Who Loved Words’ combines this joy with the importance of protecting bees and flowers, offering much to discuss and discover.

The book is a joy to read aloud, combining wonderfully rich vocabulary with bouncy, rhyming text. Children are sure to want to build their own collection of words as they encounter them just as Persephone does, finding pleasure in their sound, their meaning and the fun of using a wide and varied vocabulary! It is a gift to teachers wishing to encourage words collecting and inspire children to use them!

The illustrations are as joyful as the text! Persephone’s face expresses a wealth of emotions through the story and there are so many details to notice and enjoy in each spread. There is a delightful book and one which is sure to be enjoyed again and again!

The Bee Who Loved Words

Helen Docherty, illustrated by Erica Salcedo

Puffin ISBN: 978-0241450680