The Very Greedy Bee

by Steve Smallman, Jack Tickle (Illustrator)

A greedy bee guzzles nectar and gobbles pollen, and won't share with anyone. One day the bee comes upon a meadow full of juicy blossoms. He goes from flower to flower, slurping up all he can, all the while growing fatter and fatter, until he is unable to fly home.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Storytime, Nature, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Steve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.

Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:

I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.

I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.

I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.

I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.

I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun book that teaches children about the importance of sharing, and treating others the way you'd want to be treated.

[Alexandra Ibberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought this picture book was so cute and that it would really appeal to babies and toddlers. The sounds of the greedy bee and the emotions of fear when he's lost and then his relief at being helped by the fireflies would resonate with young children. Then when he's nearly home but needs help again, the ants come to his rescue this time. By the time he's finally home, not only is he incredibly happy, he's learned the value of friendship and helping others. The pictures in the book are bold and delightful which makes them appealing for babies and toddlers.

[Michael Lausche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book about a the very greedy bee. The way that the author describes how the bee does not care what is in his way, everything is his! He would never share, always wanted more nectar than anyone, and whined if he did not get his way. But, one day he finds himself in flower-paradise, but gets too full to fly home. A couple of fireflies and ants help him find his way home, and they become really good friends. When he returned home, he was not the greedy bee anymore, but a gracious bee. This lesson that the bee learned was that it is important to be nice and help everyone out when they need a hand. I love the illustrations of this book, as they were packed full of amazing drawings of the bees, fireflies, and overall nature. It shows great emotion ranging from the bee getting all that he wanted, to being very humbled at the very end. I recommend this book for children ages Kindergarten-1st grade.

[Kayla Worley · Rating 5 out of 5]

MINE! That's what the very greed bee says to anyone who asks him to share. While all the other bees work hard to clean the hive and make honey, the very greedy bee spends all of his time gobbling pollen and guzzling nectar. One day he finds a meadow full of flowers and decides not to tell anyone. He spends the entire day buzzing from flower to flower until...THUMP. The very greedy bee is so full that he cannot fly! It's getting dark and he doesn't know how to get home unless he flies. With the help of some new found friends the very greedy bee is able to return to his hive and has learned that it's best to work with others and share what you have. The intended audience is 3-7 years and preschool-2nd grade. I selected this book because it will teach students not to be greedy and they should share with other people.

[Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Very Greedy Bee is probably one of my favorite picture books for kids. The edition I purchase was a book plus a CD set.

In terms of story, I believe it is very well-written, filled with onomatopoeias. An ideal to book to read aloud, and kids would surely listen in for the suggested sounds that the book describes.

There are repercussions of being greedy, and the Very Greedy Bee nailed it. The book offers one important moral lesson: share. At first, it may seem to be ideal to keep things for yourself. However, life is happier when you share. This is the perfect book to teach children on why we should all learn to share.

[Amy Cheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Very Greedy Bee by Steve Smallman is a delightful children's book that tells the story of a bee who loves to collect nectar from flowers. the story is simple yet engaging, making it perfect for early readers or for parents to read aloud to their children. The illustrations are colorful and fun, bringing the characters to life in a way that will captivate young minds. This book is a sweet and entertaining tale that is sure to become a favorite among kids and parents.

[Vanessah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little picture book is just too cute! The illustrations are so well done, and the Very Greedy Bee can teach a lesson about being selfless and sharing to almost anyone who reads it! ☺️ for sure a must read for smaller children!

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Problematic.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This greedy bee gets a lesson in learning how to share and care for others!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with very bright easy to see pictures. Best for preschool, too long for a toddler storytime.

[Sunni Berbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Friendship. Helping others. Some fun adjectives, alliteration, and onomatopoeia.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A greedy bee eats too much nectar and is unable to fly home. With the assistance of some other insects, he is able to make it back to his hive, where he shares honey with everyone.

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, full of onomatopoeia and a wise lesson on how being a greedy bee can get you into trouble--that is, too bog to move. But friends help and all ends well.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very greedy nectar guzzling and pollen gobbling Honey Bee learns a valuable lesson when he refuses to share a meadow of flowers.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought this was cute but also the kids i read this to were acting a lil fatphobic afterwards so maybeeee we should be more careful about the whole fat = greedy messaging.

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice

[Reading With Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click to listen to a reading of The Very Greedy Bee
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPREpBU1u/

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. 3 year old liked this book and was concerned for the bee.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

MINE! Thats what the very greedy bee says to anyone who asks him to share. While all the other bees work hard to clean the hive and make honey, the very greedy bee spends all of his time gobbling pollen and guzzling nectar. One day the very greedy bee finds a meadow full of flowers and decides not to tell anyone. He spends the entire day buzzing from flower to flower until THUMP. The very greedy bee is so full that he cannot fly! It's getting dark and he doesn't know how to get home unless he flies. With the help of two fireflies and some ants, the very greedy bee is able to return to his hive and has learned that its best to work with others and share what you have.

Note: Love the sound effects, but I am NOT a fan of the varied fonts used.

Subject:
Avarice -- Juvenile fiction.
Bees -- Juvenile fiction.
Cooperativeness -- Juvenile fiction.
Sharing -- Juvenile fiction
Insects -- Juvenile fiction

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A greedy little bee doesn't like to share his nectar. He won't even share his flower with a tired lady bug just looking to rest. When the greedy little bee discovers a meadow of big juicy flowers, rest assured he won't let anyone else in on his little secret. He slurps up all of the nectar from the flowers and he gets fatter and fatter and soon he can no longer fly. He takes a nap and when he awakes its dark and spooky. Very frightened he gets help from two little fire flies wondering about and a little group of ants help him cross the stream. When the greedy bee finally gets home the other bees through him a party and he happily shares his best honey with his new found friends.

This vividly colored story will have your children smiling the whole time they read about the greedy little bee. This cute story will have your children learning and wanting to share and make new friends.

[Bernice Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very enjoyable and beautifully illustrated.

A good aspect of this book is the sheer amount of descriptive words that the book uses. the movements of the Bee with words such as Biff Bump and Baff. They are fun and descriptive and are also good for young children to practice their sounds when reading.

The language is fun and has an easy flow and has a lovely moral behind the story to encourage children about sharing and the consequences of being greedy and mean to others. A good story to ask questions throughout such as how the different characters might be feeling when a particular moment happens. Would recommend from ages 4+.

[Neil Nicholson]

The story is a bout a selfish bee who keeps a meadow of flowers to himself so that he can eat all he wants. He soon gets so full that he falls off the flower and is lost in the grass. Too heavy to fly, the bee is guided by two fireflies that help him find his way home. Happy to be home, the bee decides not to be so selfish. I would recommend this book for preK and kindergartners. After the story, teacher and students can discuss bee facts such as where they live and what they eat. After discussion, it might be fun for students to be able to taste actual honey.

[James Vickery · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book there is a very greedy bumble bee that does not let anyone sit on the flower pedals that she sits on. She does not share her nectar with anyone at all. One day she finds a beautiful, untouched, flower patch. In all of her greed, she slurps the nectar from every flower and becomes so big that she can't fly. When night falls she sees two, big, glowing eyes. The bee begins to get very scared. It turns out to be some friendly fireflies that escort her back home. When she gets home she realizes that her new friends saved her life and from then on, she shares her honey with everyone.

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot onomatopoeia present. This book is great. I fell in love with this book the first time I read it. It is a good book about bees, and what they do with flowers. It also sends a couple of good messages such as: always be nice to people because you never know who you will need, and to not eat so much because you will get fat and lazy.



Extension: I will bring in some honey and we will have a taste test with the different kinds of food that you can eat with honey.

[Katrina]

"MINE!" That's what the very greedy bee says to anyone who asks him to share, but soon he has to rely on the kindness of others to help him get home. The moral of the story is well told. The cartoonlike artwork, with bold, rounded, brightly colored creatures, leaps off the page. The rousing text, replete with sound effects and varied fonts, will work well with groups. Good for spring or bee storytimes as well as a good moral story for parents to use. Ages 4-8.

[Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to 1st Grade. This book is about a greedy bee who was selfish and mean but later became sharing and kind after gainging help from others. I would use this book to teach how to treat others and how it is important to treat others the way you would want to be treated. I would also use this book as a supplement to classroom agreements.

[Sabrina Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Very Greedy Bee is about a bee that ate too much and also did not share. This book is humorous and has colorful illustrations. The insects and animals in this book are depicted to be happy and very chirpy.
This a simple book to use to teach children about character.

[Kiriwho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karina loves this book. Not necessarily a predictable book, but still can be used to build reading confidence for young readers. Possible for science perfect pair for Kinder or 1st. Takes about nectar.
Gr. K-2
BL. 2.5

[Sandi Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very greedy bee does not like to share. He won't share his nectar or even let a tired ladybug rest on one of the flowers. After he over indulges on nectar, he learns how nice it is when other insects help him, and learns to share with others.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very greedy bee heads off in search of more food and then gets lost. How will he get home? Who will help him? And will eh learn anything on his journey? A little long but worth it. Preschool for length.