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Akeem Keeps Bees!: A Close-Up Look at the Honey Makers and Pollinators of Sankofa Farms
This vibrantly illustrated book for kids aged 6 to 10 traces a year in the real-life apiary of Sankofa Farms as a father (the
author) teaches his young son, Akeem, the basics of beekeeping.
Told from Akeem's perspective, Akeem Keeps Bees! begins with the arrival and installation of a package of bees and follows the sequence of
beekeeping tasks throughout the year, as Akeem and his dad inspect the hive, find the queen, deal with a swarm, harvest honey, and prepare
for winter. Along the way, Akeem also learns the special role that the bees play on the farm. Every part of the process is illustrated for young
readers, with graphically inspired panels and diagrams. The author, Kamal Bell, is a leading voice among Black farmers educating and
inspiring Black youth about farming and beekeeping.
author) teaches his young son, Akeem, the basics of beekeeping.
Told from Akeem's perspective, Akeem Keeps Bees! begins with the arrival and installation of a package of bees and follows the sequence of
beekeeping tasks throughout the year, as Akeem and his dad inspect the hive, find the queen, deal with a swarm, harvest honey, and prepare
for winter. Along the way, Akeem also learns the special role that the bees play on the farm. Every part of the process is illustrated for young
readers, with graphically inspired panels and diagrams. The author, Kamal Bell, is a leading voice among Black farmers educating and
inspiring Black youth about farming and beekeeping.
38 pages, Hardcover
Published February 4, 2025
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 15, 2025
"A Fascinating Dive into the World of Beekeeping: Akeem Keeps Bees!"
Akeem Keeps Bees! is an absolute gem of a book that truly shines a spotlight on the fascinating world of beekeeping, while also highlighting the important role of pollinators in our environment. Kamal Eugene William Bell does a superb job of combining education with storytelling, offering readers not just an introduction to beekeeping but a full, immersive experience that brings the lives of honey makers to the forefront.
What I love most about this book is its focus on a single subject—the honey bees of Sankofa Farms—and the expert-level insight it provides. Books like this, which zero-in on a singular topic, are invaluable for those looking to delve deeply into a subject. They offer a concentrated, well-researched and thoughtful perspective that allows readers to truly grasp the intricacies of the topic at hand. Bell doesn't just skim the surface; instead, he provides an enriching, comprehensive look into the lives of bees and the critical role they play in our ecosystem.
The depth of detail and the way Bell builds a connection between the reader and these tiny yet powerful creatures is inspiring. From the bees' life cycle to the importance of their pollination for biodiversity and agriculture, this book serves as both an educational tool and a tribute to nature's tireless workers. The passion and care Bell brings to the subject are evident in every page, making this a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable farming, environmental stewardship, or simply learning more about the wonders of the natural world.
Books that focus on a single subject and explore it with such depth are incredibly rare, and it seems that Kamal Eugene William Bell has truly mastered this approach. Not only does this book serve as an excellent introduction to beekeeping, but it also offers expert-level insights that will appeal to both novices and those more familiar with the subject. If you're someone who loves diving into a single topic and becoming a subject matter expert, "Akeem Keeps Bees!" will certainly enrich your knowledge and spark your curiosity.
In conclusion, 'Akeem Keeps Bees!' is a beautifully written, expertly researched and captivating book that educates, inspires and celebrates one of nature’s most important creatures. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the world of beekeeping and the crucial role pollinators play in sustaining life as we know it.
January 9, 2025
Okay so this book is awesome!!! As a Black gardener, I love the representation this book gives to young Black boys who might want to grow up to be a farmer one day. To also have a childrens’ book written by a Black farmer is amazing!!!!
This Close-Up Look at what goes into harvesting honey is sooooo informative!!! I’ve read a few kids’ books about bees and pollinators, but I learned the most from this one! It’s a non-fiction informational book, but it’s told in a graphic novel style format. As you learn about the bees you also get to see the dialogue between father and son that reflects the questions Akeem has about the bees.
The book takes you through a year of beekeeping. It talks about the makeup of a bee colony. (I did not know worker bees were female!) They go over the tools that you need to beekeep and why. And what I loved the most as a reader of gardening, farming and homesteading books is how they approached what can go wrong with a colony. Each issue was so well addressed and illustrated.
I also loved the end pages that feature photography from Sankofa Farms, a family owned farm in North Carolina that partners with the local community. I would love a series from the Bells, because this book was amazing and I learned so much!
If you homeschool, want to learn about beekeeping or want to learn more about bees definitely check this book out!!!
This Close-Up Look at what goes into harvesting honey is sooooo informative!!! I’ve read a few kids’ books about bees and pollinators, but I learned the most from this one! It’s a non-fiction informational book, but it’s told in a graphic novel style format. As you learn about the bees you also get to see the dialogue between father and son that reflects the questions Akeem has about the bees.
The book takes you through a year of beekeeping. It talks about the makeup of a bee colony. (I did not know worker bees were female!) They go over the tools that you need to beekeep and why. And what I loved the most as a reader of gardening, farming and homesteading books is how they approached what can go wrong with a colony. Each issue was so well addressed and illustrated.
I also loved the end pages that feature photography from Sankofa Farms, a family owned farm in North Carolina that partners with the local community. I would love a series from the Bells, because this book was amazing and I learned so much!
If you homeschool, want to learn about beekeeping or want to learn more about bees definitely check this book out!!!
January 27, 2025
*I got this for free on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
SIT YOUR BOOTIES DOWN BECAUSE I'M AUTISTIC AND ONE OF MY SPECIAL INTERESTS IS BEES.
So I originally requested this because of the above fact. I love bees and I love learning about them as much as I can. I also very much want to learn more about beekeeping so this was a really great way for me to learn it at an easy pace, despite it being for kids. It presented the information in such a way that kids and even adults can understand it and makes it easy for it to be retained. I also absolutely LOVED the illustration style, as well. I had such a fun time learning more about a special interest of mine and while a big chunk of this book I knew there were things that I didn't know or didn't know the proper terms for which I absolutely LOVED. I think this would be a GREAT book to teach kids and anyone who wants to know about bees and are scared about them. I will be patiently waiting for it to release and will be buying a copy so I can read it to my son and my niece and my partner. Who knew a book designated for younger kids could impact a 28 year old adult this much lol. If you're a homeschool parent or anything like that and need a book to learn some more about bees for science or something this is a really good one to pick!
SIT YOUR BOOTIES DOWN BECAUSE I'M AUTISTIC AND ONE OF MY SPECIAL INTERESTS IS BEES.
So I originally requested this because of the above fact. I love bees and I love learning about them as much as I can. I also very much want to learn more about beekeeping so this was a really great way for me to learn it at an easy pace, despite it being for kids. It presented the information in such a way that kids and even adults can understand it and makes it easy for it to be retained. I also absolutely LOVED the illustration style, as well. I had such a fun time learning more about a special interest of mine and while a big chunk of this book I knew there were things that I didn't know or didn't know the proper terms for which I absolutely LOVED. I think this would be a GREAT book to teach kids and anyone who wants to know about bees and are scared about them. I will be patiently waiting for it to release and will be buying a copy so I can read it to my son and my niece and my partner. Who knew a book designated for younger kids could impact a 28 year old adult this much lol. If you're a homeschool parent or anything like that and need a book to learn some more about bees for science or something this is a really good one to pick!
July 22, 2024
What a perfect (and comprehensive!) introduction to beekeeping for this age!
Akeem and his father take us through a season of beekeeping at Sankofa Farms. I expected basic introductory information, but this book is so detailed! Everything from bee births and bearding to sugar water and swarming is covered alongside beautiful illustrations. Treating its readers with the respect and intelligence they deserve, this is a fascinating read. There's also such a sense of empathy throughout that I appreciate, as the questions Akeem asks (like what happens to bee colonies that don't survive the winter) are thoughts that many young kids will have in the process of beekeeping, and the facts are told truthfully but compassionately.
(Plus, it's just awesome to have representation of Black boy excellence in beekeeping! I'm so glad this book introduced me to Kamal Bell, his family, and their farms.)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Akeem and his father take us through a season of beekeeping at Sankofa Farms. I expected basic introductory information, but this book is so detailed! Everything from bee births and bearding to sugar water and swarming is covered alongside beautiful illustrations. Treating its readers with the respect and intelligence they deserve, this is a fascinating read. There's also such a sense of empathy throughout that I appreciate, as the questions Akeem asks (like what happens to bee colonies that don't survive the winter) are thoughts that many young kids will have in the process of beekeeping, and the facts are told truthfully but compassionately.
(Plus, it's just awesome to have representation of Black boy excellence in beekeeping! I'm so glad this book introduced me to Kamal Bell, his family, and their farms.)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2025
Keeping bees is a full time job and knowing all about them is an essential part of keeping them. In this nonfiction story about Sankofa Farm in North Carolina, the family of Black farmers also keeps bees and Akeem (in illustrated format before seeing real-life pictures of them and the farm) walks a reader through the seasons of beekeeping, the essentials of wardrobe, the science of honey, mating and the levels of bees from the queen to the worker to the drone bees, and how to give them the care they need to be the awesome part of nature and crops that they are.
It's chock full of information inspiring me to want to be a beekeeper though I know it'll likely never happen- similar to how I wanted to keep chickens after reading Sy Montgomery's book about What the Chicken Knows.
This is an instant cool classic about the awesome bee and the visibility of Black farmers (and youth stepping up!)!
It's chock full of information inspiring me to want to be a beekeeper though I know it'll likely never happen- similar to how I wanted to keep chickens after reading Sy Montgomery's book about What the Chicken Knows.
This is an instant cool classic about the awesome bee and the visibility of Black farmers (and youth stepping up!)!
July 15, 2024
Through-the-year journey of bees and beekeeping, great insight.
I loved this. Akeem and his family have a farm, and this book focuses on their beekeeping - showing readers what thought and care goes into looking after these precious pollinators, and their life cycle through a year.
As an adult, I learnt a few things about their hives, habits and hazards. There's plenty of labelled illustrations and a good amount of detail for curious children of all ages and it feels like a realistic look at life for bees - sometimes they don't make it through the winter, for example.
Homes and schools could make a lot of use of this book.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
I loved this. Akeem and his family have a farm, and this book focuses on their beekeeping - showing readers what thought and care goes into looking after these precious pollinators, and their life cycle through a year.
As an adult, I learnt a few things about their hives, habits and hazards. There's plenty of labelled illustrations and a good amount of detail for curious children of all ages and it feels like a realistic look at life for bees - sometimes they don't make it through the winter, for example.
Homes and schools could make a lot of use of this book.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
December 20, 2024
I am so in love with Akeem Keeps Bees! This is a nonfiction children's picture book about beekeeping. As a beekeeper, I can tell you this book is fully accurate. I actually learned 2 new things about beekeeping that I didn't know before! The illustrations are so detailed and the number of facts it contains are probably enough to make anyone respect and admire bees and all they do for our world. I love that this book is based on a real family and their farm. I loved learning about the work Kamal Bell and his family do for their community. I will be buying a copy of this book for my school library as well as one for my personal library.
Huge thanks to Storey Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for a review copy of this wonderful book!
Huge thanks to Storey Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for a review copy of this wonderful book!
March 15, 2025
What a beautiful book!
Not only the artwork is pretty, the colours just perfect and bees both cute and real life looking, but also this little story about a boy interested in bees is so full of useful information. I was so focused on reading, and I'm saying that as a person who is deadly afraid of bees. I feel really well-educated now on how that whole 'bee world' works!
I want to acknowledge the fact that this book was made with a great intention: to help people learn how to take care of the Mother Nature and to get the help in return. As the author said, everyone deserves to have access to good food. This little book is well-suited to be a good start in an agricultural journey.
Strongly recommend!!
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a copy to review! ♥
Not only the artwork is pretty, the colours just perfect and bees both cute and real life looking, but also this little story about a boy interested in bees is so full of useful information. I was so focused on reading, and I'm saying that as a person who is deadly afraid of bees. I feel really well-educated now on how that whole 'bee world' works!
I want to acknowledge the fact that this book was made with a great intention: to help people learn how to take care of the Mother Nature and to get the help in return. As the author said, everyone deserves to have access to good food. This little book is well-suited to be a good start in an agricultural journey.
Strongly recommend!!
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a copy to review! ♥
January 20, 2025
I love children's picture books with unique topics; this one was fabulous! Akeem and his father (the author) live on a farm and keep bees. From the arrival of a new hive by mail through harvesting the honey, young readers (and adults alike) discover new things they didn't know about our buzzy friends. Vibrant and beautiful illustrations add to the story, making it engaging on a visual level. I love how author Kamal E. Bell advocates for Black farmers and teaches young Black people about the importance of farming to our society. Both engaging and enjoyable, Akeem Keeps Bees! is a fantastic choice for a young reader.
October 31, 2024
I received an electronic ARC from Storey Publishing through NetGalley.
Bell shows readers what raising bees is like on this farm in North Carolina. He uses Akeem and his father to share everything that happens in the yearly cycle of bee keeping. The illustrations and captions add to the informative text. Readers will feel they are standing with Akeem and observing the hives. Pictures and text about Sankofa Farms is included at the end. A perfect narrative for elementary level readers or those who want an introductory level book on beekeeping.
Bell shows readers what raising bees is like on this farm in North Carolina. He uses Akeem and his father to share everything that happens in the yearly cycle of bee keeping. The illustrations and captions add to the informative text. Readers will feel they are standing with Akeem and observing the hives. Pictures and text about Sankofa Farms is included at the end. A perfect narrative for elementary level readers or those who want an introductory level book on beekeeping.
September 12, 2024
My review will be live on my blog - donnasbookblog on 4 February 2025 - publication day!
I thought that this was an excellent book!
I loved the illustrations in the book, they were brilliant.
The book is packed with details and information that teaches about Bees through how things work on a real life farm.
I liked the different perspectives that were used in the book too - it is perfect for its age range.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
I thought that this was an excellent book!
I loved the illustrations in the book, they were brilliant.
The book is packed with details and information that teaches about Bees through how things work on a real life farm.
I liked the different perspectives that were used in the book too - it is perfect for its age range.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
September 16, 2024
"Akeem keeps bees" is an educative picture child book. The book takes you to the farm to understand how the honey is made of the bees. The kids can learn about bees, their family, and their metamorphosis. Can learn how the bees survive in winter.Can learn how to take the honey from the hive. Can you learn who has superpowers? "The winter bees." My children love this book because they love the honey a lot in the tea and cookies with honey. I really enjoyed reading this book from NetGalley!
March 9, 2025
This is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and informative book on beekeeping for children that I've read. Told in a style that blends picture book with graphic novel format, the book is packed with fascinating facts. It's wonderful to watch a family working together OUTDOORS and away from screens. This one deserves a place in every school and public library.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the read.
March 7, 2025
Akeem Bell helps his dad, Kamal Bell, at Sankofa Farms by managing honey bees. Father and son work together to give you a real introduction to honey bee keeping. There are pictures of Akeem, his family, his farm, and his bees in the backmatter. Speech bubbles throughout add interest and joy. Black farming is underrepresented in children's literature and this joyous book really delivers!
July 11, 2024
I love seeing a good picture book about beekeeping packed with good information.
March 1, 2025
Most amazing book! I learned so much about bees!
March 26, 2025
A fascinating look at the seasonal cycle of a farm that raises bees!
Want to read
November 29, 2025Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 27, 2024
A fantastic book on raising bees, with fab illustrations, info-rich text, and terrific photos, plus a helpful glossary. Geared to readers 6-10 and adults like me who are intrigued by the year long look at a real life farm that specializes in bee rearing. It's an OwnVoices story too, which adds a much-needed perspective. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews