If Bees Disappeared (If Animals Disappeared)
by Lily Williams (Author) Lily Williams (Illustrator)
What would happen if bees disappeared? Find out in this fourth book from Lily Williams in the award-winning If Animals Disappeared Series that imagines the consequences of a world without bees.
The rolling hills and lush climate of Kent, England are home to many creatures. These creatures are fluffy, sneaky, spikey, and ... small, like the bee. Though bees are small, their importance is BIG. Today there are over 250,000 species of bees but all of them are in danger. Because of disease, pesticide exposure, lack of foraging habitats, and poor nutrition, entire honey bee hives are dying. What would happen if bees disappeared completely? Artist Lily Williams explores how such a loss would effect not just bees' environment, but the world as a whole in this poignant, beautiful book about the importance of our most important bees.
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Kirkus
School Library Journal
Gr 1-4–This book describes the crucial role honeybees play in our lives and how we can help them survive and remain healthy. The narrative starts in Kent, a county in the United Kingdom that is known as the “Garden of England.” The lush illustrations are packed with information about the kinds of bees, the inside of a hive, the process of pollination, and the foods that depend on honeybee pollination. The clear writing is engaging. Many essential vocabulary words and phrases are introduced, such as keystone species, pollinators, superorganism, and Colony Collapse Disorder. Each of these terms is clearly explained. At the beginning of the book, readers learn how honeybees impact life on earth, and then discover the threats to their survival and the ways humans can aid their survival. According to the text, if honeybees disappeared, most of the plants that bees pollinate would also disappear. Additionally, our favorite foods would become rarer, birds might disappear, and there would be a limited variety of crops. This unraveling effect is called a trophic cascade. But all is not lost. The extensive back matter includes a substantial list of ways to save the bees, a glossary, a bibliography, and additional sources. The result is a compelling look at the plight of the honeybee. The illustrations feature a girl with light skin and dark hair and a girl with brown skin and textured hair.
VERDICT A rich, well-designed offering with multiple uses for teachers and students. A standout among the many books about honeybees.
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
Praise for the If Animals Disappeared series:
*"A successful balancing act between heralding disaster and promoting change—an informative debut."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review *"While the future is impossible to predict, Williams presents a scientifically grounded view of a world without sharks that should spark discussion and inspire action in budding ecologists. A terrific addition to any school or public library."—School Library Journal, starred review "A well-executed environmental primer that will leave readers considering the interconnectivity of the planet and its inhabitants."—Publishers Weekly "A solid addition to the climate-change canon for thse interested in saving a fragile world."—Kirkus "Bright, appealing illustrations and an ultimately empowering message provide a much-needed hopeful side to a complex topic." —School Library JournalJNF051100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Science & Ecosystems
JNF037020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection
