Review: Beezie the Baby Bumble Bee by Dr. David Florence, Illustrated by Jesse Maloney

Dr. David Florence pens a whimsical and colorful tale for children in Beezie the Baby Bumble Bee, a tender and message-rich tale.

Being a little bee who gets tired on long flights makes it hard to get a full belly of pollen every day. Young Beezie takes an eye-opening adventure, aided by a number of other helpful creatures – and a human honey man – in an effort to get ahead and find some pollen. The wisdom of owls and the generosity of eagles help save the day for this adorable little character.

The subtly beautiful (and occasionally silly) illustrations support a short but meaningful story that will only become more relevant as a young reader grows. Touching on the interconnectedness of nature, as well as the importance of friendship, there are thematic elements that feel contemporary, along with more traditional storytelling patterns that might make today’s generation of parents feel nostalgic.

This book brings attention to a critical issue in the natural world – the disappearance of bees in huge numbers, threatening the future of plants that require pollination. The author’s biography demonstrates a lifetime of dedication to the natural world and finding unity between different ecosystems, species, and ideas, and that focus permeates this book. It is said that without bees, humans wouldn’t be able to sustain the population that already exists, so protecting and preserving bees is essential for future generations and our planet’s overall sustainability. The book doesn’t directly address this issue, but it should start a conversation about conservation that needs to be happening regularly.

That being said, in a book that is meant to educate children about working hard, asking for help, and overcoming difficulties, there are some other messages that are less easy to explain. The fact that Beezie takes all the pollen, leaving none for the other bees, feels oddly juxtaposed with other themes of “working together.” Also, taking all the pollen and then leaving it out for the “honey man,” rather than finding a way for the bee community to work more equitably, was a surprising turn in the tale.

On a technical level, the limited amount of text is clean and error-free, though the fantasy realism is a bit strange. Beezie using a cell phone to call for her winged ride, for example, is somewhat jarring in this otherwise fairytale-like story. The ending also feels quite abrupt, so despite the simple flow of the story, it feels somewhat unfinished, or rushed. Finally, while some of the syntax is awkwardly ordered for such a young target age – at times using more classic and formal phrasing – the story is easy to follow and comprehend.

The illustrations are clever and goofy, though some feel more rudimentary than others. Less negative space in such a short read would be appreciated by very young readers who benefit most from vivid images. Overall, despite these small critiques, Beezie the Baby Bumble Bee is an enjoyable and heartfelt read for young children that could spark an early passion for saving their environment.