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Five Faves: Bee Picture Books

Spring has officially begun! The weather has started to warm up, the days are longer, and plants are just starting to sprout again after the winter. Springtime also means that bees will soon be back at work helping pollinate flowers and making honey. Here are five bee picture books to celebrate these hardworking insects!

By Audrey Helen Weber
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2022. Picture Book.

The rich illustrations in this picture book follow various ground bees as they fly off, discovering beautiful new climates and exciting environments. One bee that remains behind also learns to appreciate the local blooms around her. Camouflaged bees hidden in the flowers throughout the illustrations provide a seek-and-find game for young readers. 

By Felicity Muth
Illustrated by Alexa Lindauer
Reno, NV: Baobab Press, 2022. Picture Book.

Osmia, a solitary green bee, begins to wonder if she even counts as a bee, since she is not black-and-yellow and fuzzy. When she meets a friendly carpenter bee who introduces her to the wide variety of bees around them, Osmia learns that "there are many ways to be a bee." Shared characteristics of the various bees are explored, as well as interesting information about less-well known bee varieties.

By Charlotte Voake
Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2022. Picture Book.

When a curious little boy meets two honeybees that can talk, they give him a magical pair of pants that allow him to shrink to the size of a bee and help him fly. The bees then take him on an adventure, showing him their hive, explaining a dance that communicates where to find nectar, and bringing him along to collect pollen and nectar. 

Written by Becky Han
Illustrated by Tindur Peturs
Iqaluit, Nunavut: Inhabit Media Inc., 2021. Picture Book.

When a little Inuit girl is frightened by the buzzing of a bee, she runs away from the pursuing insect. Chased across Nunavut for several days, finally Apita stops long enough to hear the bee reassure her that it means no harm and only wants to play. Inuktitut words are included throughout, and a glossary and pronunciation guide at the end can assist caregivers when reading aloud this delightful, rhythmic picture book.

By Jacob Souva
Berkeley, CA: West Margin Press, 2021. Picture Book.

A determined little bee has been given a mission by the Queen Bee: to collect pollen and nectar from flowers. The problem is, Little Bee does not know what a flower is! She is too nervous at first to ask the queen, so she flies off, eventually gaining the courage to ask the other insects and birds for help in identifying her prize. 

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