Kaia and the Bees by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Kaia and the Bees by Maribeth Boelts,
illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Review Copy from Candlewick Press
Kaia and the Bees does something really wonderful - it manages to be a book that shows readers how to face your fears while also educating them about the importance of bees and the work that they do. And Boelts, who has been a beekeeper and written picture books that capture, with authenticity and clarity, the emotional lives of children, is perfectly positioned to create a book like this. Best of all, this story is not set on a farm or even in the country. It is set in a city, letting readers know that beekeeping can happen (almost) anywhere!
Kaia is brave, "hottest-hot-pepper brave" and "furry-spider-in-the-basement brave." There is only one thing that "SUPER scares" her - bees. Unfortunately for Kaia (but fortunately for bees and the rest of humanity) her father is a beekeeper! He has two hives on the roof of their apartment and he "reads bee books and talks about bees nonstop," telling Kaia, "The world needs bees, and that's why we're beekeepers." Except, Kaia is not a beekeeper, although she does share all the knowledge her father passes on to her with her friends and neighbors. When a bee lands on her arm and she screams and waves her arms in front of her friends, Kaia decides it's time to learn to overcome her fear of bees.
A fantastic book that will encourage bravery in the face of fear and maybe even inspire future beekeepers!