Beehive

by Jorey Hurley

Acclaimed author Jorey Hurley shows us how bees make and store honey in this bold and graphic picture book that includes informative backmatter on the process.

With just one word on each page and the vivid illustrations Jorey Hurley is known for, Beehive showcases the cycle of bees making honey. Detailed backmatter further explains this fascinating natural process.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Childrens, Science, Storytime, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2020

About the author

Jorey Hurley studied art at Princeton, received her law degree from Stanford, and studied design at FIT. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[donna backshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple yet powerful. It's amazing how much impact one carefully chosen word can have, when enhanced by the perfect illustration.

This is the kind of children's book I live for finding.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anchoring the story's illustrations with one word per spread, the book is about the words that are associated with bees from "sting" to "swarm" and more. It's simple and effective with a page at the back of the book that is essentially a narrative version of the words and why they were chosen to show how bees operate.

It's a nice representation of nature and the power of bees.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too simplified for my children’s enjoyment, but gorgeous pictures accompanying single bee vocabulary words per page. If this was a board book, I know at least one person that would have to have it on a forever shelf.

On that note, I appreciate the check out of the hardcover picture book from the Library.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beehive is the perfect introduction to the life of bees for the youngest of readers. The entire book consists of only fifteen words. Each double-page spread has one word with big bold illustrations.

Beehive would be a fabulous book for a children's read-aloud in the spring.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little nature-based picture book that contains one bee-related word per spread, paired with accompanying illustrations. This is a quick, simple read that is perfect for outdoor storytime or just general bee awareness and education!

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author/illustrator and her continuing series.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple words but nice read

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I wish that this had been around a few weeks ago when I was doing science book story times!
Another masterwork from Hurley.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of a bee and everything they do becomes clear in a simple, understandable way.

Young listeners will learn all about bees in this book and gain a greater appreciation for everything these little insects do. The text is kept to the bare minimum of a single word on each two-page spread, for example: collect or lay. From there, the illustrations take over. Each action unfolds and makes it clear exactly what a bee does. Sometimes, they collect pollen. Other times, they lay eggs. And still other moments, they can be found guarding the hive. To add to the fun, more information and details are offered at the end of the book, which older listeners can enjoy.

The illustrations are fairly simple and yet, allow the various activities to come across clearly. By placing a single word first, the listener has an idea of what to expect before grabbing the exact meaning in the illustration itself. Especially younger listeners aren't bogged down by lots of text, but still get the basics on what bees do and how the life of a bee is. Of course, there aren't many details, but rather, this approach opens up for questions and discussions. The information at the back holds more detailed facts, which allows readers (and listeners) who are more interested in bees to learn a bit more.

It's simple and does a great job a bringing across the activities of bees and beehives in a way which won't bore listeners and still teaches them something along the way.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the concept quite a bit. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are rarely an inch long but can fly fifteen miles per hour. Their wings are known to beat more than 200 times per second. This is why we can hear them buzzing as they move from place to place.

We don't see them in the winter months as snow covers the ground, icy winds blow, and temperatures are chilly. In fact, as soon as the temperatures fall below fifty degrees, bees return to the hive surrounding the queen. With the movement of their wings they can heat their home and keep the queen warm. They get their energy from the honey they've stored. In her newest release, Beehive (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, January 7, 2020), Jorey Hurley speaks to readers in the simplest of terms, single words, about the formation of a honeybee home and how its inhabitants flourish.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple picture book focuses on bees and beehives. The book follows bees that explore the area, find a hollow tree just right for a new hive, and build there. They lay eggs and then care for and feed the immature bees. They sometimes need to defend the hive from predators too. When the new generation of bees emerges, they go right to work too, continuing to care for and build up the hive.

Told in single words, the story really plays out in the illustrations which are done in Hurley’s distinctive style. Her simple text is just right for very small children learning about bees and the environment. Hurley’s author note cleverly uses the single words within the book as a structure for more information on bees as well as a comment about the recent decline in bee populations. The digital art is strong and has large shapes that will work very well with a group of preschoolers.

Buzzy and busy, this book is a glimpse into the life of bees. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is a VERY early introduction to the life cycle of the honeybee - in this case, wild honeybees that swarm, seek out a cavity for their new hive within a tree, build comb, collect pollen and nectar, raise up some new bees, protect their assets, pollinate the world, and continue the cycle. With only one word per 2-page spread, it still manages to cover a lot of ground. More information about honeybees and a fuller explanation of what each of the words means/encompasses follows in an author's note. This is really quite impressive in both its simplicity and its breadth/accuracy. The illustrations are also simple, but precise. For the next generation of bee-lovers and keepers.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, simple, beautiful book about bees for younger listeners. I'm including this here because it is indeed a picture book, but board book readers would certainly enjoy it. Each page has one word and a lovely illustration. With a gentle, Spring palette and words and movement that depict the active lives of bees, this is a highly engaging book. A wonderful book to read aloud as the weather gets warmer.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I did not like this book. It is just one word (swarm; keep, etc). It is not until the end and the authors note that you actually get "something." Which is why the words used are important. A page of facts and information finally make this book more than what should be in a board book. Most likely will help with sight words (as literally a word per page) and in a classroom to give you basics about bees.

[Darlene Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although there is just one word per spread, the author's note adds the context for older readers. Simple vibrant illustrations include an amazing mix of close-up and far scenes. In the distant views, bright greens, oranges, and purples pop against a clean white background. A close-up of bees gathering pollen brings the reader right into the garden bed with the bees and later close-ups in the hive capture the queen laying eggs and workers feeding them. Simple and rich - just like honey.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple look at bees and their activities. Great vocabulary with the author's note providing more information with Hurley's signature illustration style. I would have given this 5 stars, but verb tense was inconsistent and threw me off with one word when every other had been present tense (...build, lay, feed, GROWN, fly...).

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations accompanied by one word on each page that shows some type of bee activity. I thought the author's note was clever by using each of the words from the book in an explanation about bees.

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its bold graphics and minimal, yet carefully chosen text, Beehive is a cleverly unique and captivating picture book. Hurley perfectly captures the fascinating and complex world of honeybees and offers little readers an unforgettable experience.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aesthetically pleasing and simple picture book. The only "story" is just that of what bees do a day-to-day basis. Each page has one word of that tale (e.g. "swarm", "pollinate", "collect") and then the author's note brings the whole story together in more detail if you'd like.

[Angela]

Hurley's hallmark gorgeous illustrations support one-word pages exploring the life of honeybees. A page of backmatter describes the details for more exploration. Hurley's work is a lovely way to invite younger kids into subject matter for dialogic reading, discussion and exploration.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book about bees, pollination and the making of honey. This book is simple, with only one word used for each step in the process, but it is very effective with its gorgeous illustrations that show what goes on. This would be a great book for teaching kids about bees and pollination.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceptively simple, but beautiful book about the life cycle of bees. There is only one word per double-page spread, but the illustrations add so much. At the back there is one-page author's note that goes into more depth.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy seeing each new book Hurley writes and discovering the unique way she can tell a story with just one word on each page. Then the backmatter explains more information to give more context to the illustrated pages.

[Viviane Elbee]

With one word per spread and graphic illustrations, this book shows how honeybees live, work and make honey. Back-matter at the end provides more information about honeybees. Book seems well adapted to toddlers and young preschoolers.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find this book very engaging, nor did my grandchildren. The artwork is cute, but clearly a Lio Lionni copycat move. The book was nonfiction but the illustrations weren't specific enough to make it a good learning journey.

[Saritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author’s note in this one gives us great insight into what bees do and how their life cycle affects and is affected by the environment. The text per page is one word with a simple, yet effective illustration to help guide the reader in understanding what each word means.

[Tori Rumschlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beehive by Jorey Hurley is an ultra-simple picture book about bees. The illustrations are extremely 2D with plenty of white space. There is only one word per page (usually an action word or concrete noun). This would be a great book for a babytime program or infants/toddlers storytime.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single word on each page and vivid illustrations depict the cycle of bees making honey. Detailed backmatter further explains the process.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous art with one word per opening. Perfectly describes the life of a honeybee.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book about bees! Sparse text with beautiful illustrations!