Happy Bees!

by Arthur Yorinks, Carey F. Armstrong-Ellis (Illustrator)

A precocious group of bees loves to wreak havoc at picnics, in the backyard, and around the beehive--especially when bears come to steal honey--in a vibrant picture book that is accompanied by a CD of ten silly songs about bees.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Juvenile

24 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Arthur Yorinks is a playwright, director, and author of more than thirty-five picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal–winning Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski. His most recent picture book is Presto and Zesto in Limboland, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Arthur Yorinks lives in Cambridge, New York.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bahahahaha. How can you not love 'em? The storytime kids got a kick out of watching the chaos unfolding in the background...

Used in Bees storytime 5/7/19

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bees get such a bad rap! my kid says, "why are those bees so happy, everyone hates them" Talk about oppression.

[Rachael Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short rhymes on each page. A 'separate' story is taking place in the illustrations, a bear trying to steal honey, which is fun for the kids to find as you turn each page. Things to point out in the illustrations: the queen bee, the hive, the color of the bees, what noise they make.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are telling the opposite of what is mentioned in the text and since there is a lot going on in the pictures it might be the wrong book for story time
Rhythmic text describes the carefree life of bees as they sting knees, munch on Swiss cheese, and laugh in the breeze.

[Dolores · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bees in this book seemed a bit creepy.....

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck. The song might be ok, but the ugly pictures show the bees being vicious, or at least menacing. Way to give children horrible fears of insects, which leads to them killing spiders and using Round-Up and not even wanting to play outside. Honestly, it's not funny, and it's not educational, and it's not satisfying.

Why was Hey, Al so amazing, when the creators haven't been able to do much else worth publishing since?

[Blakeley Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book named a lot of flowers and would be useful if the class was doing a lesson on flowers or plants. It also talks some about the weather, so a lesson could also be worked in about the different types of weather. And what makes a rainbow because the book mentioned a rainbow and how it was formed.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good length for a storytime/read-aloud, however it was very satire, and the bees went around stinging everyone... Some of the humor was more complex than I would expect a three year old to be able to understand, and for older kids, they will not be as likely to be interested in a book titled "Happy Bees" ...

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I have to read a book aloud about bees, I reckon this would be the one. Humor throughout the illustrations, rhyming text abounding with words that rhyme with "bees" and amusing repeating characters throughout story.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. There's a CD that comes with it. That's a plus! I haven't listened to it yet but I'm sure it's fun.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hoot, although the parents will possibly be more amused at the manner that the text is at odd with the cheery words. I did not listen to the enclosed cd.

[Lenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious illustrations!

[Glen]

Funny but weird

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction to irony, as the cheery poem is at odds with the fear the bees inspire.

Vegan parents note: Bees eat swiss cheese at a picnic.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute. While reading, enjoy the other stories told through the illustrations. I didn't listen to the cd that was attached, though I would imagine that it's fun as well.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of happy bees, lots of rhyming words, lots of not-so-happy people, but golly, bees will be bees!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

great for storytime- full CD of songs about bees!

[Amanda]

That bee got a creepy face.

[Terrance Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Happy Bees, everyone loves them!", yeah everyone "seems" to be having fun in Arthur Yorink's Happy Bees. This books cover a very active hive of bees, playing games, having fun all the while getting into various forms of mischief. The bees have gotten all over the place at the park and people and animals alike are caught in their merriment. What I find funny about this book is that I cant tell if the author loves or hates bees due, to the obvious discomfort of the people in the story in contrast to the bees abundant happiness. The art and characters look very well done the character expressions are very detailed as well as the appearance of the bees themselves. The background images, like the park, Is especially well done I like how the illustrator shaped the grass and sky on several of the pages very visually impressive. The book also follows a rhyme scheme that makes reading fun and definitely for younger audiences to enjoy, I highly recommend reading this it would "Bee" a good starter book.