The King of Bees

by Lester L Laminack (Author) Jim LaMarche (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A gentle intergenerational tale for young readers about the importance of patience and the fascinating work of beekeeping. From award-winning author Lester Laminack and celebrated illustrator Jim Lamarche.

"A gentle tale full of Southern charm...[LaMarche's] ink-and-watercolor spreads are light and dreamy, with evocative sunrise shades and detailed looks at beekeeping equipment and the bees themselves." -- Publishers Weekly

"Informative and visually dazzling." --School Library Journal

Henry wants nothing more than to be like his Aunt Lilla and work with the beehives on their Lowcountry farm. He watches her every day, working hard outside in her bee suit, but what amazes him the most is her ability to communicate with the bees. Henry feels certain he can, too. Then one day, Aunt Lilla tells him the bees are preparing to leave the hive and may leave the farm entirely. Henry believes it is up to him to communicate with the bees and convince them to stay, before it's too late.

An author's note includes additional information about bees and bee conservation.

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Publishers Weekly

Laminack (Three Hens and a Peacock) proffers a gentle tale full of Southern charm about a boy whose aunt is a beekeeper. Henry is fascinated by his Aunt Lilla's hives and by the rapport she has with her bees. "Sister bees hum when they're working," she explains. "If they have news to tell, they do their talking-dance." There's a queen, she tells him, but no king. Henry's awkward attempts to help his "sisters" and his aunt culminate in a chance to save her hive in an unexpected way--an occasion that calls for Henry to stay calm when he becomes covered with bees. Aunt Lilla is independent, knowledgeable about the creatures she keeps, and able to explain complicated concepts to Henry in a way he (and readers) can understand. LaMarche (Pond) dwells on the beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry. His ink-and-watercolor spreads are light and dreamy, with evocative sunrise shades and detailed looks at beekeeping equipment and the bees themselves. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Laminack and LaMarche have teamed up to create an informative and visually dazzling picture book about beekeeping. When Henry visits his Aunt Lilla, he learns about being close to nature, and is especially drawn to the bees. As he (and readers) learn more and more about bees' habits and their importance to humans, Henry longs to be part of the beekeeping process. He dances to draw them to a field of clover and hopes to show them the location of new hive. But he accidently spills some bee drops (an attractant) on the protective suit and finds himself under a coverlet of bees. Not to worry...Aunt Lilla gets the smoker and carefully drags the bee-covered suit to a new hive, and Henry is hailed the King of Bees. Laminack's uses his storyteller's rhythm and voice to teach without didacticism. LaMarche's trademark realistic watercolor and pencil illustrations bring the story to life. Laminack underscores the interrelationship between bees and people, and how hives work in a way that is easy for children to understand. Match this more rural treasure with an urban view of beekeeping in The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi. VERDICT A must-have for most collections, perfect for reading aloud to a small group and for introducing a nature unit on bees.--Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"[A] quiet tale of love and honeybees.... Visually lovely and tonally appealing"—Kirkus Reviews
Lester L Laminack
Lester L. Laminack is a specialist in children's literacy and professor emeritus at Western Carolina University. Laminack has written numerous books and articles for educators in addition to his picture books, and he is a sought-after speaker at professional meetings and reading associations nationwide. He lives in North Carolina.

Jim LaMarche is one of the most talented artists working in children's books today. His many successful books include Rainbabies and Albert, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. He lives in California.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781682636732
Lexile Measure
600
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Peachtree Publishers
Publication date
April 16, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV029000 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | General
JUV002140 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Insects, Spiders, etc.
JUV024000 - Juvenile Fiction | Lifestyles | Country Life
Library of Congress categories
South Carolina
Aunts
Honeybee
Bee culture
Bees

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