The Beeman: 1 - Softcover

Krebs, Laurie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1846862604 ISBN 13: 9781846862601

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2009

Synopsis

Find out where honey comes from as Grandpa the Beeman teaches the basics of beekeeping to his young grandson. This rhyming story includes 7 pages of endnotes full of essential facts about bees, beekeeping, honey, and the vital part that bees play in the natural world.

About this title

Review:

'A patterned rhyme introduces a beekeeper and his work. On double-page spreads, the acrylic paintings with a slightly distorted, oddly appealing perspective clearly illustrate the process of caring for honeybees, evidence of illustrator Cis's research for the project. Suited up like his beekeeping grandfather, the small boy telling the story helps quiet the hive with a smoker. When it is opened, he sees the queen, drones and workers inside. He watches his grandfather remove the frames, extract the honey and prepare the hives for winter. Finally, Grandmother's apple-and-honey muffins (recipe included) make the effort worthwhile. Dedicating her story to her beekeeping husband, Krebs describes the process simply for young listeners, highlighting important vocabulary which is defined in more detail in exposition for older readers at the end. The text was previously published by National Geographic with illustrations by Melissa Iwai in 2002. Libraries that don't own that version will welcome this attractive reissue. (Picture book. 3-7)' --Kirkus reviews

'Starting with Grandpa's special Beeman outfit and gloves, this lifts the lid on the hive and makes his grandson realise why bees are so important ... This covers a lot of ground - drones "with big bulging eyes", a sinister-looking queen, rhyming text, plus a recipe for Grandma's apple and honey muffins, in a book to make children's minds and mouth water.' --The Independent

'Bees have been in the news with warnings about the disastrous impact of their decline. The Beeman... explains where honey comes from and exactly how it is made. Krebs got the idea from her husband who is a beeman and whose talks in schools fired the imaginations of children. A poem at the beginning of the nicely illustrated picture book puts the importance of bees in context and an illuminating section at the end offers more hard facts - including the revelation that bees dance. There's even a recipe for grandma's apple and honey muffins. It's another original idea from Barefoot' --Rosshire Journal

From the Author:

Laurie Krebs draws inspiration for her books from her adventures around the world. She is a former teacher from Connecticut, USA, and a mother and grandmother. She is the author of many globe-trotting titles for Barefoot Books, including We All Went on Safari and Off We Go to Mexico! Valeria Cis is a full-time illustrator who lives in Rosario, Argentina with her husband, son and daughter.

About this edition

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1846862604
• ISBN 13: 9781846862601
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Cis Valeria