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The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter
"Sometimes bees can be a bit rude. They fly in your face and prance on your food." And yet... without bees, we might not have strawberries for shortcakes or avocados for tacos! A Norman Rockwell-inspired Sunday in the park, a love poem from a father to his two sons, and a tribute to the bees that pollinate the foods we love to eat. Children are introduced to different kinds of bees, "how not to get stung," and how the things we fear are often things we don't fully understand.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
August 8, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsno...
THE THING ABOUT BEES: A LOVE LETTER is an informative and gorgeously illustrated picture book about bees. The book describes why bees are so important- even though they might seem scary with the way that they can sting. The brunt of the text is a lyrical ode to bees as shown through the love of the young reader- we need bees just the way that we need you! I always love a good book that also expressed love of a youngster, and this one does that plus adds loads of information about bees.
There are some pages that are great resources about bees and wasps, such as which ones are likely to sting and how to avoid it/approach them. There is also information about how they help with pollination and how this in turn leads to fruits. These additions take the book a couple steps further into education as well as fun.
What I loved: The artwork here really steals the show- it is so gorgeous just to look through. My favorite page shows a young child in a bee costume riding on another's back in the center of an abstract flower. It is hard to describe but easy to enjoy. The text not only expresses love for the reader- perfect for a caregiver sharing with a child- but also explains about why bees are so important with information on pollination and how plants grow fruit. The page spread that explains about different kinds of bees/wasps and how to not get stung is really informative, and even taught me some new things!
Final verdict: Beautifully illustrated and informative, THE THING ABOUT BEES: A LOVE LETTER is a fantastic book for elementary-school aged readers to share with the adults in their lives. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to know more about bees- whether you've already been stung or not!
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
THE THING ABOUT BEES: A LOVE LETTER is an informative and gorgeously illustrated picture book about bees. The book describes why bees are so important- even though they might seem scary with the way that they can sting. The brunt of the text is a lyrical ode to bees as shown through the love of the young reader- we need bees just the way that we need you! I always love a good book that also expressed love of a youngster, and this one does that plus adds loads of information about bees.
There are some pages that are great resources about bees and wasps, such as which ones are likely to sting and how to avoid it/approach them. There is also information about how they help with pollination and how this in turn leads to fruits. These additions take the book a couple steps further into education as well as fun.
What I loved: The artwork here really steals the show- it is so gorgeous just to look through. My favorite page shows a young child in a bee costume riding on another's back in the center of an abstract flower. It is hard to describe but easy to enjoy. The text not only expresses love for the reader- perfect for a caregiver sharing with a child- but also explains about why bees are so important with information on pollination and how plants grow fruit. The page spread that explains about different kinds of bees/wasps and how to not get stung is really informative, and even taught me some new things!
Final verdict: Beautifully illustrated and informative, THE THING ABOUT BEES: A LOVE LETTER is a fantastic book for elementary-school aged readers to share with the adults in their lives. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to know more about bees- whether you've already been stung or not!
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2020
There are very few picture books that I'd purchase for myself on account of loving so many of them and not having enough money--but this is one book that I would purchase for myself, my friends, children, newcomers to the family...basically anyone. It's so sweet, and beautiful, and well-intentioned, and it made me cry at work. With incredible painted illustrations and the most darling rhymes, The Thing About Bees is a book to keep with you at all times.
Coming from a father who didn't want to pass down his fear of bees to his children, he researched our buzzy friends and passes on the reasons why they are just so important--after all, knowledge is power! But narrated to his own children, he brings out tear-jerkers such as "You're my cold watermelon / at a picnic in the park / You're the avocados on my tacos... / You're my strawberry heart". Even typing that out, I'm tearing up. It's just so sweet!!! I'm not lying, either, here I am, at work, typing this review, and my eyes are glossing over.
But it isn't just my emotions that make me want to purchase this book and reread it a million times and give it to others--it's the tone of voice, it's the love that shines through the illustrations, it's the powerful and enchanting illustrations, its the backmatter explaining the different sorts of yellow-and-black buzzers. This is great for the young child, perfect for a summer afternoon, incredible for a bedtime story. You won't want to miss out on this book.
Review cross-listed here!
Coming from a father who didn't want to pass down his fear of bees to his children, he researched our buzzy friends and passes on the reasons why they are just so important--after all, knowledge is power! But narrated to his own children, he brings out tear-jerkers such as "You're my cold watermelon / at a picnic in the park / You're the avocados on my tacos... / You're my strawberry heart". Even typing that out, I'm tearing up. It's just so sweet!!! I'm not lying, either, here I am, at work, typing this review, and my eyes are glossing over.
But it isn't just my emotions that make me want to purchase this book and reread it a million times and give it to others--it's the tone of voice, it's the love that shines through the illustrations, it's the powerful and enchanting illustrations, its the backmatter explaining the different sorts of yellow-and-black buzzers. This is great for the young child, perfect for a summer afternoon, incredible for a bedtime story. You won't want to miss out on this book.
Review cross-listed here!
July 19, 2020
An excellent first look at the value of bees, written specifically for readers who fear these necessary pollinators.
To confront his own fear of bees, author/artists Larkin did a little research about these busy, buzzy pollinators and shares this knowledge with his two sons. Altered photos of the family add pizzazz to this story of love and honey.
An author's note and two pages with charts comparing 3 kinds of bees with 3 kinds of wasps.
Another fantastic offering from Readers to Eaters and perfect for units on both pollination and insects.
Highly recommended for PreSchool-grade 1.
To confront his own fear of bees, author/artists Larkin did a little research about these busy, buzzy pollinators and shares this knowledge with his two sons. Altered photos of the family add pizzazz to this story of love and honey.
An author's note and two pages with charts comparing 3 kinds of bees with 3 kinds of wasps.
Another fantastic offering from Readers to Eaters and perfect for units on both pollination and insects.
Highly recommended for PreSchool-grade 1.
February 10, 2020
After the story, the author includes a double-page spread of 3 kinds of bees and 3 kinds of wasps, from "kind" to "kinda mean," showing which insects are the least likely or most likely to sting a person.
January 17, 2020
Beautiful and informative
February 3, 2020
Note: I received a finished hardcover copy at ALA Midwinter 2020.
December 30, 2021
This book is a love story to bees and family. Shabazz Larkin wrote it to help himself overcome his fear of bees. In the process he came to admire them and see connections between what bees do for us collectively, to what his children do for him personally.
I am not afraid of bees, but I'm not so fond of spiders. Like Larkin, I have researched and tried to learn more about these creatures I fear. I have come a long way, but I have only come to admire them when they are outside.
I am not afraid of bees, but I'm not so fond of spiders. Like Larkin, I have researched and tried to learn more about these creatures I fear. I have come a long way, but I have only come to admire them when they are outside.
January 4, 2021
The accent font was a bit hard to read, but the story itself is sweet (don't miss the author's note) and the information it includes about bees and their value as pollinators is interesting and informative.
Available on Epic!
Available on Epic!
February 4, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! The illustrations are beautiful and the text is lyrical. I liked the end note from the author because I, too, am afraid of bees but I understand their importance and I've been trying to be brave! This would make a great read-aloud for 4-6 y/o.
October 31, 2020
I loved this book for it's specific theme of learning more about bees to overcome a fear of them. There are lots of new books out in recent years with the "save the bees" theme, teaching all the fascinating details and importance of pollinators. But I love how Shabazz's book keeps that focus, but keeps it simple, focuses on how to not be afraid of bees and how to not get stung. Also love the comparison of bees and wasps at the end from "kind to kinda mean". As our school bee expert, the kids are always asking me questions about wasps and other insects that sting and telling me stories of people in their family getting stung by bees. It's the main issue for teaching about them - how to convey their importance and not to be afraid of them, while acknowledging that they can sting, which can be dangerous for some.
May 3, 2021
My son received this book in a literacy gift bag from school. He is terrified of bees, so I was hopeful it might help ease his fears. I don't think he learned much he didn't already know from other books we've read, but the way the bee facts were woven in with expressing love for your child made it a perfect bedtime story. I think this will become a frequent bedtime choice. The illustrations are beautiful, and the bee and wasp guide at the end is helpful.
November 25, 2019
"In a way, the bees are just like you! You. YOU buzz in the bushes and buzz in my ear. YOU sneak up behind me and fill me with fear. YOU fly in my face and prance on my food. YOU even sting, when you're in a bad mood. But I never stop loving you." In a visually stunning and poetically unique ode to bees, Larkin also celebrates fatherhood in a beautiful way. A 2020 Caldecott Contender.
January 16, 2020
If you've ever been stung by a bee, it's hard not to be a little bit leery of more encounters with these insects. If I'm sitting on my deck with a book and a glass of iced tea, nothing gets me up and out of my chair and back in the house than a bee buzzing around my head. This lovely picture book takes a closer look at these pesky, but important, insects. This lyrical poem is advice from a father to his sons, and really the rest of us, about how even though bees are kind of rude and scary, we need them in order to enjoy all of the wonderful fruits and veggies that rely on pollination. There's a quick brush-up on what pollination is, for those that aren't familiar. The illustrations are gorgeous, and there's information at the back about the different kinds of bees and how to avoid getting stung.
January 2, 2021
A combination of bee facts and a poem of love to the author's sons. We need bees, bees buzz around, and sometimes they sting: the author needs his kids, but they buzz around and scare him, and sometimes they sting when they're in a bad mood. I love how the author is also teaching his kids how to face their fears by learning more about them, just like he did with the bees. It ends with information on different insects that are or look like bees and might sting, as well as instructions on how to avoid getting stung. I love the energy of the not-quite-realistic art. I wouldn't read this at a storytime (too many things going on), but it would be great for multiple readings one on one, or even dipping in and out for the bee info.
April 21, 2022
This sweet story illustrates the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem – the scary, stinging bees! This text is most suitable for younger children, specifically Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade. While exploring this poem, students can observe the importance of bees while maintaining key elements of poetry writing. The text includes rhythm and rhyming words. Students may also be able to explore the author’s purpose, cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, and key details through thoughtful and intentional discussion while using this text as a read aloud. This text is enjoyable and the beautiful illustrations provide even more insight into the author’s main idea.
November 22, 2019
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Emotions: Fear
Bugs: Bees
Bees are lovely do-gooders in our intricate world but if you're scared of them, you'd like to think otherwise. Inspired by his own childhood, Larkin acknowledges a common fear of bees but explains their crucial role in our ecosystem. At the end, readers can browse a guide of kind to kinda mean bees and wasps and tips for avoiding a sting. The reassuring, repetitive text is paired with photographs transformed into emotion-filled illustrations.
Emotions: Fear
Bugs: Bees
Bees are lovely do-gooders in our intricate world but if you're scared of them, you'd like to think otherwise. Inspired by his own childhood, Larkin acknowledges a common fear of bees but explains their crucial role in our ecosystem. At the end, readers can browse a guide of kind to kinda mean bees and wasps and tips for avoiding a sting. The reassuring, repetitive text is paired with photographs transformed into emotion-filled illustrations.
March 14, 2020
Mister was confused about this when I read it to him; he saw the artistic pictures LITERALLY and wanted to know "why that girl have pink in her hair? Does she have jam in her hair? Run away girl! Run that bee gonna get you!" *facepalm*
I'm trying to read this beautiful, loving, gorgeous tribute to family and the importance of bees...and my son is flipping out because of the pictures. *sigh* He's never even been stung by a bee, but he is CONVINCED that they are out to get him personally. *double sigh*
I'm trying to read this beautiful, loving, gorgeous tribute to family and the importance of bees...and my son is flipping out because of the pictures. *sigh* He's never even been stung by a bee, but he is CONVINCED that they are out to get him personally. *double sigh*
November 16, 2020
I just loved this story! I read it quickly when it came across my desk at the library I worked at, and I plan to purchase for my own kids. It was a lovely story of a dad trying so hard to show kindness and understanding to a creature he might not naturally like, but for the sake of his children he points out all the wonderful things about bees. I loved the ecological message of this book, and while I already am quite fond of bees, it is a sentiment I try to emulate myself around such creatures as earwigs!
February 6, 2021
Bees can be scary, and can even hurt you if they sting you. But bees are *amazing* and really important for the health of the environment. Shabazz Larkin shares this sentiment in a book that is playfully, gorgeously illustrated, showing a Black father, mother, and two children celebrating bees and enjoying all the wonderful foods that bees help make, and written in poetic and amusing rhyming text. Delicious, joyful, delightful! An ode!
Themes: Bees, Environment, Food, Environmental Justice, Ecosystem, Family
Age range: Toddler through preschool.
Themes: Bees, Environment, Food, Environmental Justice, Ecosystem, Family
Age range: Toddler through preschool.
May 17, 2021
An interesting book in premise and execution, which I enjoyed but my almost 4 year old wasn't that into. Really unique illustrations showing how we shouldn't be afraid of bees (even if we kinda are) because they are amazing and aren't trying to hurt us and really do incredible things for us. Even though it's a different style and premise, they reminded me a lot of the lightbox picture books done by Elly McKay. Cool story and worth a read but I'll return to it later because it didn't really resonate for my kid this time around!
February 16, 2022
A beautiful book that combines teaching about the importance of bees as pollinators and a message that is so much more. The author delivers both messages in a way that kids can understand--that without bees, there would be "no more picnics with watermelon...no more smoothies with mango..no more avocados for tacos..." And that "in a way, the bees are just like you! "You even sting when you're in a bad mood...But I never stop loving you...You're the avocados on my tacos." Great back matter with types of bees and "everything you need to know about how NOT to get stung.
July 13, 2020
A picture book for young children which shows the process of pollination by drawings. The main section is a poem about getting stung by a bee and the importance of bees. The end shows photos of bees and wasps with some general info. The author created this book from his own fear of bees and not wanting to frighten his own children with his fear. Important message but it didn't fully engage me.
December 23, 2019
The Thing About Bees is, that it is a book about bee facts, bee poetry, a celebration of family and a love poem all rolled up in one colorful, fun loving picture book. Shabazz Larkin has created a book for families to share and enjoy over and over. Can you find a bee on each page? For ages 3 - 10.
April 21, 2020
A father pens a love letter, a love letter for bees, a love letter to his sons. Conquering fear, overcoming for those we love, for the good of the world. How sweet and quirky. With handy guides about pollination and the kind vs kinda menacing (i forget the word he uses) bees in the world, on whom so much depends. love love love.
August 9, 2020
Love love love. This book does a great job of explaining why bees are awesome and why we need them. Plus it shows such love in a family. I love that the author was very afraid of bees but didn’t want to pass that fear to his sons so he decided to learn all he could about them.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
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September 15, 2020I love any book for young children that can explain to kids why we need bees. This book acknowledges that many of us are afraid of bees, but also has this great, informative section at the back with this cute bee-o-meter, that helps you learn more about bees, and includes tips on how not to get stung!
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October 7, 2020I found this book pretty unusual and gorgeous. I really liked the two little boys and the joy in the illustrations is delightful and infectious. The story itself had a great message but I'm always wary of stories about fear around topics where kids don't already have the specified fear - but this book is pretty exceptional.
October 22, 2020
Wonderfully creative and delightful. A father and son learn to conquer their fear of bees together as they learn about all of the wonderful things bees do as part of the ecosystem. Whimsical and cute illustrations, and a guide in the back reminds us that not all buzzing insects are bees--even if they're black and yellow-striped!
June 21, 2021
I liked the concept and the reason behind writing this book but the presentation was too disjointed for my taste. Facing fear is important and this parent worked to overcome their own fear of bees so their children would not be affected. The information shared about bees is important and needed. Others will appreciate this style; it just wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews