The King of Bees

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.