The Bee Book: Discover the Wonder of Bees and How to Protect Them for Generations to Come

Gr 5 Up—Half science lesson and half “how to” manual for beekeeping, this enticing book will keep readers occupied for days, if not longer. The first half discusses bee evolution and what goes on in a hive. Information on honey, beeswax, and colony predators and a brief discussion of colony collapse disorder are followed by discussion of the “waggle dance” and several pages of bee houses and bee-friendly flower gardens. The second half is a guide to beekeeping, though it is still compelling for those without access to bee colonies. Along with general content is specific material on topics such as reportable pests and diseases and how to collect a swarm. The book concludes with about 30 projects and recipes, such as beeswax candles and honey lemon cough drops. The work is visually gorgeous, with a balanced layout of photos, illustrations, text, and sidebars. Tenderhearted readers may cringe to learn a drone’s genitals are pulled from his body upon mating and that a beekeeper may need to “cull the queen” of a poorly performing colony. This book could broaden the focus for those who like reading about sharks, war, diseases, and things that are a little bit icky yet scientific. VERDICT Fascinating for many ages and a great addition to the science section of any middle or high school library.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

“This enticing book will keep readers occupied for days, if not longer.” — School Library Journal (Starred Review)

“This is a charming, information-rich book that should lead readers to appreciate bees and welcome them into their gardens and wild places and even encourage some to keep honeybees.” — Booklist

“Lots of great photos of go-to plants for bees.” — The Toledo Blade

“This succinct yet surprisingly comprehensive introduction will be attractive to researchers, and hopefully may inspire readers to consider beekeeping as a hobby.” — School Library Connection

“Budding entomologists, young environmentalists, and gardening enthusiasts alike are bound to discover fascinating facts and how-to project inspiration.” — School Library Journal