Picture book, 32 pages. Published by Readers to Eaters in 2019.
A Wee Bit Afraid of Bees
From small children to elderly adults many of us are a wee bit frightened by bees. My own Sweet Noodle says, "scared!" whenever she sees the mason bees flying around the garden. But most of us do not need to be concerned about bees knowing they are likely to ignore us if we don't bother them.
Larkin wrote this love-poem because he had a "ridiculous fear of bees" he didn't want to pass on to his sons. He acknowledges that bees can be a bit rude while giving real, understandable reason bees are important to everyone. And Larkin's concludes his book with "Everything You Need to Know About How to Not Get Stung" filled with bee etiquette for kind bees to kinda mean bees. The Thing About Honeybees is the perfect book for anyone who is not allergic to bee stings, but is still a bit frightened by them. Ideas for Making it Real
So your kiddo is afraid of bees....
How to Keep Your Kids from Bugging Out Over Insects by National Geographic is an excellent introduction to why children are afraid of bugs. It provides some solid recommendations on how to help in an immediate moment of fear, as well as offering some longer term strategies to overcome the fear. You might also look at Helping Kids Overcome Fear of Insects, Snakes & Creepy Crawlies at Run Wild My Child. Most of the article is a pretty comprehensive list of tips and techniques for parents - I learned a few new tricks myself. 
Picture book, 40 pages. Published by Neal Porter Books in 2020. Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner and an Orbis Pictus Honor Book, as well as multiple additional awards!
Beautiful
Honeybee is one of the most beautiful books I've read in the past year. And recognition with the Sibert Book Medal indicates it is also one of the most distinguished information books published in the 2020.
The illustrations will fascinate every reader and Honeybee deserves a place on every child's bookshelf! Ideas for Making it Real
There are two online sites filled with resources for you begin sharing with your kiddos the wonder of honeybees.
Whole Kids Foundation, Bee Activities & Resources
The National Honey Board, Kid-Friendly Activities for Busy Bees
Picture book, 32 pages. A voracious caterpillar eats its way through the days of the week before becoming a butterfly! Published in 1981 by Philomel Books; baby board book was published in 1994!
Children Are Not the Only Ones Fascinated
The Very Hungry Caterpillar was an early addition to our children's library way back in the day and I had forgotten how its simplicity is stunningly awesome! Eric Carle is one of my favorite illustrators of children's books -- his style looks like collage, but it's acrylic painted on tissue paper! The texture, colors and sweet story fascinate babies, toddlers & younger kiddos, as well as just about every Nonna on the block!
Ideas for Making it Real
My first suggestion would be to visit the Eric Carle Museum website, particularly the Making Art Together portal - there are pages and pages of ideas on creating art with your child. The blog is primarily for you with a wide range of ideas on everything from how to preserve projects which is a huge deal in creative/crafting families to fascinating posts about how very young children draw. Definitely worth you time!
Next, go on a caterpillar hunt! Growing With Science's Six Tips for a Successful Caterpillar Hunt offers suggestions on how to prepare for a hunt and what to look for on your hunt. |