In The Trees, Honeybees!

This inside-the-hive view of a wild colony of honeybees offers close-up views of the queen, the cells, even bee eggs. The reader is left with admiration for the remarkable lives of honeybees, whether in the hive or in the field.

Children's Literature

In short, crisp rhymes and big, bright pictures, author and illustrator collaborate to bring young readers the story of wild honeybees and how they work. Starting with a rhyme ("Nectar sweet. / Pollen treat."), each page or spread illustrates a phase of bee industry and ends with a bit of pertinent information at the bottom. All the paintings are striking (though greens and yellows are over-saturated), but kids will likely be most fascinated by the close-up views of bees inside their hollow tree hive. (Arbo says she used as model a wild hive in her own backyard.) It is hard to choose a favorite, but most unusual are the pictures of bees mobilizing to ward off a bear attack and another of bees clustering to keep warm at night while lightning flashes outside their tree. Some illustrations emphasize the relationship of bees to other animals like birds, bears, butterflies, and of course humans who share a garden with them and beekeepers who harvest honey and benefit from pollination. A final picture brings bees and readers back to a new morning and a flowering acacia tree ("Morning light. / Warm and bright. / In the trees, / Honey bees!"). Included are a spread with more detailed information for bee lovers and a select list of appropriate books and websites. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft