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THE BEEMAN by Laurie Krebs

THE BEEMAN

by Laurie Krebs & illustrated by Valeria Cis

Pub Date: March 1st, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-84686-146-8
Publisher: Barefoot Books

A patterned rhyme introduces a beekeeper and his work. On double-page spreads, the acrylic paintings with a slightly distorted, oddly appealing perspective clearly illustrate the process of caring for honeybees, evidence of illustrator Cis’s research for the project. Suited up like his beekeeping grandfather, the small boy telling the story helps quiet the hive with a smoker. When it is opened, he sees the queen, drones and workers inside. He watches his grandfather remove the frames, extract the honey and prepare the hives for winter. Finally, Grandmother’s apple-and-honey muffins (recipe included) make the effort worthwhile. Dedicating her story to her beekeeping husband, Krebs describes the process simply for young listeners, highlighting important vocabulary which is defined in more detail in exposition for older readers at the end. The text was previously published by National Geographic with illustrations by Melissa Iwai in 2002. Libraries that don’t own that version will welcome this attractive reissue. (Picture book. 3-7)