Am I Even a Bee?

by Felicity Muth, Alexa Lindauer (Illustrator)

Confused, Osmia faces an identity crisis, and she turns to her meadow for comfort. It is here that she meets her new friend and guide Xyla, a carpenter bee who, like Osmia, does not fit the black-and-yellow social mold. Through some adventures and chance encounters, Osmia and Xyla meet a slew of non-honey bees, each special and important to the meadow in their own unique way. Osmia discovers that while fame is great, diversity and acceptance are essential to a happy ecosystem. As it turns out, there is no one way to be a bee!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Nonfiction, Juvenile, Education

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2022

About the author

Dr. Felicity Muth is an assistant professor of animal behavior and cognition at the University of Texas at Austin. Originally from London, Felicity did her Ph.D. at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, before discovering her passion for bees at the University of Arizona and University of Nevada, Reno, where she held postdoctoral research positions. Felicity is also an award-winning popular science writer, and has published in Scientific American as well as being interviewed on NPR’s Science Friday. She currently resides in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this and highly recommend it. I learned so much, and the art is beautiful.
Definitely not just for preschoolers.

I would love it even more if it had back matter, but I guess kids can use the internet. The science names are given. Nomada for example is especially intriguing.

I'm not fond of the fact that it's oversize and will be difficult to shelve in some library set-ups... but otoh because it's large it may stand out more, be circulated more, and educate more families, so that's a good thing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art in this is gorgeous, especially the flowers. Interesting to learn a little bit about different kinds of bees.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed artwork colorfully depicts the similarities and differences among the various bee species featured in this story, which provides age-appropriate science lessons while exploring themes of self-identity, diversity, and acceptance.

[Kathryn Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a librarian in a well-funded public library system, many new children's books cross my desk. I can't possibly read or review them all, but often, a title or artwork gives me pause. This is one of those books. It is an extraordinarily illustrated and written children's book that pulled me in immediately, teaching me about types of bees in a fun, science-based story of a differently colored bee that just didn't fit in. Loved it cover to cover.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would pick this as a great way to show a class of elementary children how bees are not all the same color or look but there are many types of bees. And I would use the later pages as good examples of writing poems in 2-4 line rhyme schemes. Beautifully illustrated and informational.

[LS Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot to unpack and think about in this "bee" book. And it is a bee book, but it's actually so much more. Diversity, acceptance, the ability to see others and their abilities. I loved this book.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are simple stunning and the illustrator doesn’t stint them. They are there from beginning to the final picture, which shows the same flower and be from the title page only larger. The second page spread is gorgeous, with seven different kinds of flowers on display against a white background.

The main character of Osmia takes us through her journey featuring a very diverse group of insects. The second group of creatures that look like stereotypical honeybees (the black-and-yellow pictures that pop into the average person’s mind when they think of bees) aren’t bees at all. The detail in their pictures is intricate and immediately signals to the reader that they’re looking at four separate species of insect.

It’s a funny, charming and perfect-for-children look at the multiplicity of a tiny world buzzing just beneath our eyesight. It will be good for adults, too, who’ve never considered all the many kinds of bees that are out there and what role they play in nature.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osmia's mother told her that she's a bee...but Osmia isn't so sure. She's blue-green instead of black with yellow stripes, and lives alone in a hole in the ground instead of in a bustling hive. Hoping to find her place in the world, Osmia travels across the meadow and learns that bees are much more diverse than she realized.

Like Osmia, I did not realize that there are so many different kinds of bees and so many different ways to be a bee. This book was eye-opening, but I do wish that the author rounded out the story with informational notes about the different bee species described in the narrative. I'm still trying to figure out what kind of bee Osmia is.

Teachers, use this in your classroom as a starting place for research projects.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osmia is a little green bee who is having an identity crisis. When she hatches, she is on her own, and despite a note from her mom assuring her that she's a bee and all is well, Osmia has some doubts. All the other "bees" she sees are black and yellow! Is she really a bee? She meets another different-looking bee who shows her just how diverse the bee family is and her confidence is restored.

Honeybees have gotten a lot of media attention (save the bees!) in the past decade, but they are just a small fraction of the bee species that exist. There are plenty more that can benefit from conservation efforts, pollinator gardens, and reduced pesticide use. Learn about some of these bees here!

[Rayne Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only explores the experience of a bee that feels like an outsider within the bee community, but also is a great source for learning about uncommon types of bees. The story and the science combine into a fun and enjoyable reading experience.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truth, I pulled this from the public library shelf because I thought it was a JON Muth that I'd missed. Nope, but it's pretty darn cute, and can be a great companion to other books about bees and CLIMATE CHANGE which better continue to be a part of US curriculum.

[Yvonne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly excellent book that is enlightening education wise plus fun to read! Illustrations are really special!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about self-acceptance and bees. Nice art. Felt a bit word-heavy, though.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Lots of classes study about bees. This would be good for introducing non-honey bees.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi library Preschool story time 05-162023