HONEYBEE, the Busy Life of Apis Mellifera

Neal Porter Books, 2020

40 pages, 1^st – 4^th grade

Lexile: AD750L

ISBN-13: 978-0823442850

The life of the tiny honeybee begins by emerging through a wax cap cell.  The fascinating life of Apis Mellifera (western honeybee) is filled with the many important jobs to be done in the hive. Apis builds a wax comb, helps to protect the hive, cleans the nursery and feeds the larvae and the queen just for starters.  Apis joins dozens of honeybees when it is time to take flight in search of nectar to bring back to the hive. Busy as a bee is an apt description for the amazing honeybee. Readers will learn about the important role of Apis Mellifera. The beautifully detailed illustrations bring readers up close to the life of the honeybee. Soft hues create a pleasing visual experience. Single page and double page spreads add interest and detail to the life of the honeybee.  

About the Author:

Candace Fleming is the author of more than forty books for children.  She has won numerous awards for many of her books including the Robert F. Siebert Award and Orbis Pictus Honor Book for Honeybee. This title was also selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Master List and was a finalist for AAAS Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Her website includes study guides for teachers for many of her titles, videos featuring several titles, and an author interview.  

https://www.candacefleming.com/index.html

About the Illustrator:

Eric Rohmann has been drawing from a young age and is now author and illustrator for multiple books for children.  He has partnered with Candace Fleming on several titles including the award-winning Giant Squid, Bulldozer’s Big Day, and Oh, No! Listen to Eric tell his story in an interview on his website.  Check out his work and learn more why he loves to tell stories to children through words and images.  

https://www.ericrohmann.com/index.html

Pathways connections: My World and Others, Living Things, The Environment

Reviewed by Cheryl The, PhD

Professor of Education

Southwestern Adventist University

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