Patch Work: Bee Brave. Bee Kind. Bee You.

by Craig Conover, Maine Diaz (Illustrator)

40 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 13, 2026

Reviews

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig writes an emotionally poignant story of Little Craig facing his hardest battle yet: determining to be himself. Just as I tell my children: you can't control other people, you can only control your response to them. In the story, Craig lets another child's words effect him in disproportionate ways. By the end of the story, other children build Craig's confidence enough that he once again feels safe to share his accomplishments and skills. I hope a sequel shows Craig having unshakable confidence no matter who cheers alongside him (or not).

It is a sad reality that some children do not have parents at home who work with them on their behavioral choices and responses. Some children have parents that teach them to bully kids- even break the law!- when others do not behave according to their "approved" preferences. Bullies are often the less fortunate kids who attack as a way of self protection. In fear of being left out or found less than desirable, they hurt others before they can be hurt. Not excusable, but once understood, it's easier to walk away, give them grace, maintain your own self-confidence, and maybe even come alongside them in their communication struggles.

Thank you to Hillary Keller and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Katie N · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nice book! Little Craig’s class has a talent show, and he wants to show off what he loves to do! Someone is his class thinks it’s weird, and we watch Little Craig navigate his feelings! I loved his passion for sewing, and I loved when it came in useful to help a friend. I especially loved when his mom held him and waited for him to use his words when he was upset. I think this book shows not only that you should be proud of what you love, but that a little kindness goes a long way. When you show kindness, it plants a seed and spreads. I thought the illustrations were really pretty and cute!! I read this to my 4 year old and she was into it the entire time, and really loved Fenwick! I’ll for sure be reading this to my preschool class. It teaches some great lessons, is fun, and emphasizes that people should celebrate what they love!

[LearningWhereWeRoam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy.

Patch Work: Bee Brave. Bee Kind. Bee You. is a heartfelt story about staying true to yourself, even when others don't understand your interests. Little Craig's love of sewing and the encouragement he receives from caring adults send a positive message about confidence, kindness, and accepting what makes each of us unique.

This is a meaningful read with a message that will resonate with kids. It's a great reminder that being yourself is something to be proud of, and that standing up for others can make a big difference.

[Jamie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This publication is perfect for school-aged children. The underlying message of self-authentication, emotional validation, and courage are essential life lessons for young minds. The narrative effectively imparts valuable morals in an engaging manner. The illustrations are equally impressive, boasting a vibrant color palette, and my daughter was particularly delighted to see Craig's supportive puppy as his best friend. Overall, this story is wonderful for parents seeking enriching books for their children.

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is an excellent example of how at such a young age, bullying can still be present amongst kids. It shows how bullying lowers other children's self esteem and can make them feel withdrawn from showing what their interests are. It also shows that bullying can end and doesn't have to last. Little Craig helped Quinn and in turn he wow'd the class, especially Trent with his kind words and special patches. This is a great story and the illustrations were wonderful.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this to my little boy and he was interested in the pictures! I loved the little story being in different boxes too, making it feel quite arty. The message behind the story of being kind and accepting yourself was nice and easy to understand for children. I loved the conversation starters at the end. A lovely read.