Singing and flying may seem like abilities that would come naturally to a songbird, but Rufus is having a hard time leaving his nest and finding his voice. When a curious honeybee named Bea notices his difficulties, she offers to help. Together, the two bravely take on the task of singing, one simple step at a time, and before long, Rufus has gained confidence—and a new best friend.
From the husband-and-wife musical duo and cocreators of Tiny Prime, the Rufus & Bea series helps families and friends enjoy the simple ritual of singing songs together, all while cultivating positive mental health and well-being for children. Perfect for early readers or for reading (and singing!) aloud, each story features timeless watercolor illustrations and connects with a special song that children can enjoy listening to and singing along with.
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Rufus & Bea is a sweet children's book about friendship, self-belief, and faith in yourself. Rufus is a songbird but finds he can't sing a tune nor fly yet. Bea is a bee who becomes friends with Rufus and helps him discover his voice and fly. These two were so adorable together in the illustrations, which were nostalgic and entertaining for both children and adults. This would make a lovely series for children, so I'm hoping we will see more of this adorable duo.
This is a cute story of Rufus the nightingale and Bea the bee and their friendship. This illustrations are simple and eye catching and they reminded me of Charlotte's Web, a illustrated copy I had read somewhere, it stayed with me.
This story is simple but I feel that if sentences are shorter they are more easy to understand for younger kids.
Thank you Netgalley and flashpoint for ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you Flashpoint for allowing me to read and review Rufus & Bea on NetGalley.
Published: 06/25/24
Stars: 5
Beautiful inside and out. The illustrations are lovely. I imagine picking up the physical book, flipping through and being compelled to read it. The artist has a true talent.
The story is charming. I wanted to continue reading and was torn between looking at the pictures longer or turning the page. In the end, the cohesiveness of art and writing is second to none. Given the intended audience I hope this book is equal to an infinite amount of stories and not the exception.
The book can be enjoyed in a group setting seamlessly, as well as appreciated singularly.
In addition to kids independently, I would gift this to nursery schools, church nurseries, etc.
Did I mention there is displaying good manners, kindness, earning a friend, and singing? Yes, singing. No worries the words are included.
Poor Rufus can neither fly nor sing at the start of this charming picture book. What an embarrassment for an alleged songbird! But thanks to kindly Bea the bee, Rufus will gain the confidence to be a proper songbird.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Flashpoint in exchange for an honest review.
The sweet illustrations really make this story sing, with a bird who cannot fly or sing and a bee who helps him do both. A lovely story about the importance of friendship. Highly recommended.
Rufus & Bea is an adorable illustrated story for young readers about friendship and cooperation by Ryan & Lisa Cummins. Due out 25th June 2024 from Flashpoint, it's 48 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Rufus is a songbird who can't sing -or- fly, and he's pretty upset about that. Bea is a honeybee, and a friendly, upbeat "person" and she wants to help Rufus gain enough confidence to make progress himself. It's got a lot of good lessons about uncritical support, positivity, kindness, and caring, and they're presented in a gentle way that isn't preachy or strident.
The illustrations by Hannah Pascoe are beautifully rendered in detailed watercolors which are full of small details inviting readers to take a closer look at the little insects, flowers, trees, and other details.
The text is simple and accessible, written about half and half in free verse and rhyming text. There are even some songs that Bea and Rufus sing, and the music is available on the authors' website, Tiny Prime.
Five stars. This would make a great choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, gift giving, or classroom use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
As a parent, stumbling upon a children's book that not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons is like finding a hidden treasure. "Rufus & Bea" by Lisa Tucker Cummins and Ryan Cummins, illustrated by the talented Hannah Pascoe, is one such gem that promises to captivate both children and adults alike.
In this enchanting tale, we meet Rufus, a young songbird who is struggling to find his voice and muster the courage to leave his nest. Enter Bea, a kind-hearted honeybee with a curious spirit and a willingness to help her feathered friend overcome his fears. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and friendship.
One of the most remarkable aspects of "Rufus & Bea" is its ability to weave together a heartwarming narrative with important themes of overcoming challenges and the power of friendship. Through Rufus and Bea's adventures, children learn the value of empathy, encouragement, and stepping out of their comfort zones.
The illustrations by Hannah Pascoe are simply delightful, bringing the characters and their vibrant world to life with every turn of the page. Each watercolor illustration is infused with warmth, whimsy, and attention to detail, making it a visual treat for both children and adults.
One of our favorite passages from the book beautifully captures the essence of Rufus and Bea's journey:
"Have you ever wished for a thing to come true, but making it happen seemed too hard to do? Then perhaps you'll relate to our young feathered friend, whose grand songbird dreams have him at his wit's end. Or so he thinks, with hopes locked in suspension. And that's when a strange buzz catches his attention."
Moreover, the inclusion of a special song, "I Can Play Kazoo" by Tiny Prime, adds an interactive element to the reading experience, allowing children to further immerse themselves in Rufus and Bea's world through music.
My daughter Violet adored Bea, describing her as "so cute and fuzzy," and was thrilled to discover that we could listen to the bee song on Spotify. As a parent, witnessing her enthusiasm for both the story and the accompanying song was truly heartwarming.
In conclusion, "Rufus & Bea" earns a well-deserved five-star rating for its beautifully calming yet engaging illustrations, its heartfelt storyline of helping one another overcome challenges, and its valuable lessons on friendship and courage. This book is a must-have addition to any family's library and is sure to be cherished for years to come.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read the advance copy of "Rufus & Bea". This heartwarming tale of friendship and courage has left a lasting impression on both Violet and myself, and we are truly grateful for the chance to experience it before its official publication on June 25, 2024. Thank you for enriching our lives with such a delightful story, and we eagerly await sharing Rufus and Bea's adventures with others when the book is released to the wider audience.
The colourful illustrations had me captivated on the first page, knowing this was going to be a sweet tale.
The friendship, perseverance and kindness of Bea and Rufus makes for such a sweet story. I also found Bea’s excitement to help a very special quality of this book.
A special story that lifts us up (both literary and literally!)
One of the prettiest picture books I’ve seen in a while! The artwork really impressed me.
The story was so sweet. Rufus is a songbird who can’t fly yet, and doesn’t know how to sing. He listens to the bees one day and ends up meeting a bee named Bea. Rufus and Bea form a friendship.
She helps him overcome his overthinking and his fear. He just tries to express himself and the two sing a cute song together. By the end of the song, Rufus realizes he’s flying too!
I think kids will love this story. I look forward to reading more stories about Rufus and Bea!
Oh wow what a fun read. Rufus and Bea was such a heartwarming tale of friendship. I never thought children’s books could be this captivating. Let’s start with how beautiful the writing was and the illustrations - my God beautiful. “ DON’T IMPRESS JUST EXPRESS “ Kudos to the author for incorporating such a powerful message in such an engaging way. This book creatively talks about self doubt, people pleasing and how to conquer it. It teaches the importance of good influence and friendship. After reading this book you feel not only thoroughly enthused but you also feel seen. Highly recommend
Sweet story about friendship, love, support, and the lesson of just being you and doing what makes you feel good. Beautifully illustrated! I especially like the musical influence and rhyming in parts of the book that encourages the littles ones to sing and that whatever comes out is beautiful. Overall, love the book and I would recommend.
This was a sweet story about finding your voice but what I really loved was the pictures. It was such a gentle style, reminding me of watercolors. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
This was a sweet book to read with my 4 year-old (soon to be 5, as he will quickly remind you). It is the story of a bird who has yet to learn his song or to fly and through his new-found friendship with a bee he discovers his song. So the positives first-My son like the story and isn't that all that matters? I like the message of the book; more specifically the idea of asking for help to learn new things. Illustrations were very simple and pleasing to the eye; I could focus on the story and point out things without it becoming a distraction. The cons? Okay the cadence of the word choice was odd-Sometimes it would be rhyming then switch to regular prose. I am sure this was intentional but to read this out-loud it was hard to switch it up. I also wished that the story focused more on the singing. The flying seemed to be thrown in at the last moment. All in all-decent choice
I love it when children’s books successfully interweave some life lessons into the tale without it being boring or preachy and this was perfectly done here. This was all about not overthinking things sometimes and just giving it a go! I loved the friendship between Rufus and Bea - Bea’s name is also adorable!
This isn’t a 5 star for me though as I had a couple of little gripes:
The songs were a bit hit or miss - as was the prose itself. Sometimes things were all rhyming (which I really liked) and the next minute it was standard prose. While I’m sure there was some rationale around this I think it would have been just much stronger if it had all rhymed or if only the songs rhymed - the mix and match really bungled up the flow of the story. I also think some of the sentences were overly long. Cutting a few of them in half could have made much more digestible reading for little ones.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
Thank you to the author, Flashpoint and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I read this a while ago, but am well behind with my reviews and trying to catch up!
This lovingly illustrated children's book has as its theme friendship, perseverance and kindness. Rufus is a songbird who can’t (yet) fly and doesn’t know how to sing. Bea is a bee who helps him overcome his fears - and as the two learn to trust one another and their friendship, they find themselves singing a song together, and by the end of the song, Rufus realizes he’s flying too.
The kids I read this with loved following along, trying out the sounds, and seeing the friendship between Rufus and Bea blossom. Highly recommend!
Rufus & Bea by Lisa Tucker Cummins and Ryan Cummins
A sweet and inspirational book for young readers! It brings out the message of importance of friendship.
We follow the journey of Rufus the bird and Bea the bee! The way Bea helps and encourages Rufus to fly and sing.
I love the water painting illustration style. The message is encouraging and inspirational for young readers. This will be a great book to read alone for kid or with parents. I look forward to their book 2! Let wait to see what adventure they will have.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy.
I saw a friend (thanks Star!) give a glowing review for this book so of course I had to read it too and I'm glad I did.
Right away I fell in love with the gorgeous illustrations. I really like how they help to enhance the storytelling and how expressive the characters are. The story and its intended messages are not only beautiful, but also well-executed.
I adore the friendship between Rufus and Bea, and hope the author expands this charming read into a series with the same beloved leads.
Hmmm… A book that has all the charm you could wish for, but that comes with probably just a bit too much earnestness to really make it classy. Here is a songbird that is awful at singing, and has never tried to fly. But when a bee comes along, and tells the bird just to relax into it – wow, look what happens. Yes, interspecies advice has never looked prettier (although I was not a hundred per cent on the scale of some of the two-shots), but even that seems a little off – the universal advice idea not quite ringing true. The way this wants to highlight the more simple pleasures is able to tip this into three and a half stars, but that is being generous.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
It seems every picture book or early reader has a pair of animal friends, and this book is no exception. The artwork for Rufus and Bea is cute, lending itself to a fun storytime, but the flow of the text is a bit of a problem. It begins with well, injecting a bit of humor which I know kids will enjoy, but then it waffles between a rhyming text, songs, and plain prose. "You don't have to impress. Just express," seems to be the main focus of this buddy book, but it comes off as pedantic. I love the bird's cute hat, though.
I read this book with my toddler & we both enjoyed it. The depictions & the storyline kept my toddler intrigued until the last page. He enjoyed it so much we’ve read it twice already.
It’s so sweet reading about Rufus & Bea. Rufus was about to find his voice & confidence through his new found friendship with Bea. The giggles from my toddler, while reading and seeing the expressions on the faces of Bea & Rufus - as he mimicked those faces and Rufus’s singing.
We thoroughly enjoyed this book.
We volunteered for an ARC of this book through NetGalley
The story of a songbird who can neither fly nor sing who makes friend with a bee. The bee says she’ll help him do both and of course she does. The illustrations are done well. The story has a nice moral to it as well. The text switches back and forth from rhyming to prose. It took away from the story for me a bit. My mind tends to have issues with that sort of shift. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is about a songbird named, Rufus. Rufus does not know how to fly or sing yet. He has not quite found his song. One day he hears some bees singing and he really wants to sing with them but is too shy. He meets a friendly bee named Bea. Bea helps Rufus find his voice and also helps him learn to fly.
Perfect read with a little one.
Thank you NetGalley and Flashpoint for sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review of the book received.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Where was Rufus and Bea when I was growing up!? It all ready feels like an instant classic with timeless themes and beautiful illustrations. This book would have certainly been in my cubby at school. I always gift my favorite children's book to friends expecting their first child, or have young kids already. Rufus and Bea will now join the ranks of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. Can't wait to read more!
Rufus and Bea is a sweet children's story with an important message about the power of "yet." The use of strong vocabulary (hovering, inquisitive, coincidentally, plummeting) will allow the readers to discuss context clues to learn these words, and there are some great onomatopoeia words included too. This teacher would recommend Rufus and Bea to parents and teachers alike when searching for a book to share the valuable lesson on trying, even when the task seems too challenging.
Got a chance to review this little gem and I had to read it for my granddaughter. She lit up and it kept her attention all the way to the very end. She laughed at the expression on the faces of Rufus and Bea. Such a sweet story while introducing good moral values for your little one. Also encourages your little ones to sing. Colors are vibrant and illustrated so beautifully.
A powerful book that teaches the meaning of YET! Rufus and Bea develop a strong friendship. Bea encourages her friend to do things that are challenging- fly and sing! I can't wait to share with our music teacher! I can see her using this in her lessons as well! Beautiful pictures! I can pictures families curling up together with this story and talking about powerful lessons.
I enjoyed this story about learning with a friend. The bird, Rufus, is expected to sing and fly well, but does not. Bea is excited because Rufus has the opportunity to learn these new skills and she can help. They are adorable characters! I love the narration style, rhythm of the words, and illustrations.
Thank you NetGalley and Girl Friday Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Rufus cannot fly and he cannot sing until he meets a new friend that helps him be all he can be. A story of unlikely friendships and a bit of you can do anything if you put your mind to when you are willing to learn. My little thought this was the cutest of stories.
What an adorable story of a bird and a bee and their journey to discovering their voices! I adored this story and the beautiful illustrations that pulled me in. This will be definitely be one that i purchase to use in my future classroom.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!