This a solid 4.5 as the only issue I have is that I would have liked more facts at the end or even more within the text of the story. This is a poetic story about our friend, The Honeybee. Kirsten Hall and Isabelle Arsenault have created a story that the adult is not going to mind rereading. It has a lot to it, and while there is not a lot of traditional action, this is a lot going on. The rhyming text reminded me of a bee zipping about. This also helps “soften” the factual elements that are woven in with the more poetic text.
The best part, however, is the illustrations. Usually, I am a fan of text and the art can come in as a supporting cast member. This time it has the center stage. The text is strong and a pleasure to the minds ear (or the child’s actual ear if you read out loud) but the artwork is a pleasure to your eye. They are bright and forceful colors and they capture the bee’s journey from flower to flower and back to the hive perfectly. They also show the life cycle of the bee throughout the year without having to go into a lot of detail.
Arsenault has a signature style that is a unique combination of classic and modern. It is realistic and abstract. It is whimsical and soft but holds its own as well.
Kirsten Hall was an author I was unfamiliar with. However, I knew some of the books once I started researching her works. She has something for everyone. Therefore, if this is your cup of tea with a drop of honey in it, I am sure you can find something equally sweet.
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