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Bea's Bees
A perfect blend of story, facts, and humor, wrapped up in a message that encourages children to be socially active in their communities and to fight for their beliefs! Beatrix discovers a wild bumblebee nest on her way home from school and finds herself drawn to their busy world. When her bees mysteriously disappear, Bea hatches a plan to bring them back. Follow along with Bea as she uses her school library to learn facts about bumblebees and why they are critical to the sustainability of our planet. Can Bea inspire her school and community to save the bees? Bees provide us with valuable resources, and some types of bees are in danger of disappearing forever. But ordinary people (and kids!) can help save them. Filled with fascinating facts about bumblebees and ideas to help preserve their environment, Bea's Bees encourages kids to help protect bees and other pollinators. • Includes flower identification guide to species that attract bees to create pollinator gardens • Explains that bees are necessary to grow some of our favorite foods. • Tips for kids on how to spread pollinator gardens with the help of others.
51 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2024
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Pryor
16 books42 followersKatherine Pryor is an award-winning children’s book author and good food advocate. She grew up in California and Arizona before moving to Seattle to study food and farming. Her books are widely used in school garden curriculum, nutrition education, and anti-hunger initiatives. In addition to writing, Katherine has worked to create better food choices at institutions, large corporations & food banks.
She made her picture book debut with Sylvia’s Spinach, which is widely used to support nutrition education and school garden curriculum. Her second picture book, Zora's Zucchini, won the 2016 Growing Good Kids Book Award. Her third picture book, Bea's Bees, was called "a necessary addition to elementary library shelves as an important contribution to the understanding and conservation of bees" by School Library Journal.
Home is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly won the SCBWI Charlotte & Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals, was named a 2024 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts by NCTE, and was featured on the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List.
Kirkus Reviews called Spring is for Strawberries “A delightful blend of friendship, fresh food, melodious language, and luscious illustrations.”
Her first board book, Hello, Garden!, won the 2022 Gold Medal, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and the book was extended into a four-book series including Hello, Rain!, Hello, Beach!, and Hello, Snow!, which won a 2025 Mom's Choice Gold Award.
She lives in Sonoma County, California.
She made her picture book debut with Sylvia’s Spinach, which is widely used to support nutrition education and school garden curriculum. Her second picture book, Zora's Zucchini, won the 2016 Growing Good Kids Book Award. Her third picture book, Bea's Bees, was called "a necessary addition to elementary library shelves as an important contribution to the understanding and conservation of bees" by School Library Journal.
Home is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly won the SCBWI Charlotte & Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals, was named a 2024 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts by NCTE, and was featured on the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List.
Kirkus Reviews called Spring is for Strawberries “A delightful blend of friendship, fresh food, melodious language, and luscious illustrations.”
Her first board book, Hello, Garden!, won the 2022 Gold Medal, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and the book was extended into a four-book series including Hello, Rain!, Hello, Beach!, and Hello, Snow!, which won a 2025 Mom's Choice Gold Award.
She lives in Sonoma County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 27, 2019
This colourful and delightful little book introduces very young readers to the habits and environment of a bee. The text is straight-forward and easy to understand for small ones and it is nicely complemented by modern, strong artwork. It is sweet, pleasing and positively told with its bright and eye-catching colours and pretty flowers. With Beatrix (Bea) as the strong main character, this wonderful book is perfectly balanced between the story and the message it delivers.
There is a section at the back of the book explaining the things that we can all do to help preserve the humble bumblebee, as it is in danger of becoming extinct.
Highly recommended, “Bea’s Bees” by Katherine Pryor would be a great addition to a family library.
Thank you to NetGalley, Schiffer Publishing Ltd and the author, Katherine Pryor for my free ARC of this book. My honest review is entirely voluntary.
There is a section at the back of the book explaining the things that we can all do to help preserve the humble bumblebee, as it is in danger of becoming extinct.
Highly recommended, “Bea’s Bees” by Katherine Pryor would be a great addition to a family library.
Thank you to NetGalley, Schiffer Publishing Ltd and the author, Katherine Pryor for my free ARC of this book. My honest review is entirely voluntary.
November 2, 2018
I received this arc from Netgalley for an honest review. This is a great picture book for kids about the importance of bees and how we can help them survive.
February 9, 2019
This is a well done book about a young girl named Bea and what happens when she finds a bee colony/hive in an old oak tree in the park. She watches them work and fly. She notices that the bees are lively and happy collecting pollen. She visits them often, until, one day the bees are gone. She decides that she needs to find out what happened to the bees. With the help of the librarian, she discovers that the flowers they used for food disappeared. She continues her research to find out what else they need for pollen and what other plants and flowers will help. She plants flowers, and hands out wildflower seeds until there are flowers all over town. Will the bees return?
This is a wonderful book for children. So many bees and butterflies have been endangered due to the loss of their habitat, killing plants they use for food and ingesting various chemicals that have been sprayed. Children need to know what they can do to help the environment and this book is done in an inviting, friendly way. Readers/listeners will also learn about various plants and how bees need them to survive, as well as human survival. Without bees pollinating plants we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables to eat. The illustrations were also well done with realistic scenes and likable characters. I recommend this book to families, schools and public library. The publisher, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. the rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
This is a wonderful book for children. So many bees and butterflies have been endangered due to the loss of their habitat, killing plants they use for food and ingesting various chemicals that have been sprayed. Children need to know what they can do to help the environment and this book is done in an inviting, friendly way. Readers/listeners will also learn about various plants and how bees need them to survive, as well as human survival. Without bees pollinating plants we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables to eat. The illustrations were also well done with realistic scenes and likable characters. I recommend this book to families, schools and public library. The publisher, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. the rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
October 4, 2019
This was a great book to share with my library students for Bee Week this week. It was just the right mix of read aloud and bee facts to share before they went to observe our library hive. Cute book!
November 2, 2018
Review to follow - 4.5 stars!
May 30, 2025
A Sweet and Gentle Buzz on Why Bees Matter
Bea’s Bees by Katherine Pryor and Ellie Peterson is a gentle introduction to the importance of pollinators through the curious eyes of a young girl named Beatrix - nicknamed Bea. One spring, while exploring the woods near her home, Bea discovers a swarm of wild honeybees in a hollow tree. Her fascination with the buzzing visitors leads her to learn more about their role in the environment and the growing threats they face. The story gracefully blends wonder with awareness, offering a narrative that feels both timely and timeless.
What stands out most is the way Bea’s quiet observations turn into passionate action. Rather than overwhelming readers with facts, the story builds the interest and makes the reader enchanted with bees and their world - before introducing the idea that they need our help. Ellie Peterson’s soft, organic illustrations echo the tone of the story beautifully. Her delicate line work and earthy colors mirror the gentleness of Bea’s journey and the subtle beauty of the natural world. It’s a book that feels like a deep breath of spring air.
I especially appreciate how Bea’s Bees balances education with emotion. At the end of the book, there’s a spread featuring native wildflowers and practical steps children can take to support pollinators, making it perfect for young readers eager to make a difference. It’s not just a story about bees but also about curiosity, connection, and how small moments can lead to meaningful change. As an illustrator myself, I found inspiration in how the visuals and story together created a world that invites young readers to look a little closer - and to care a little more.
Bea’s Bees by Katherine Pryor and Ellie Peterson is a gentle introduction to the importance of pollinators through the curious eyes of a young girl named Beatrix - nicknamed Bea. One spring, while exploring the woods near her home, Bea discovers a swarm of wild honeybees in a hollow tree. Her fascination with the buzzing visitors leads her to learn more about their role in the environment and the growing threats they face. The story gracefully blends wonder with awareness, offering a narrative that feels both timely and timeless.
What stands out most is the way Bea’s quiet observations turn into passionate action. Rather than overwhelming readers with facts, the story builds the interest and makes the reader enchanted with bees and their world - before introducing the idea that they need our help. Ellie Peterson’s soft, organic illustrations echo the tone of the story beautifully. Her delicate line work and earthy colors mirror the gentleness of Bea’s journey and the subtle beauty of the natural world. It’s a book that feels like a deep breath of spring air.
I especially appreciate how Bea’s Bees balances education with emotion. At the end of the book, there’s a spread featuring native wildflowers and practical steps children can take to support pollinators, making it perfect for young readers eager to make a difference. It’s not just a story about bees but also about curiosity, connection, and how small moments can lead to meaningful change. As an illustrator myself, I found inspiration in how the visuals and story together created a world that invites young readers to look a little closer - and to care a little more.
April 18, 2019
This review is from a Saturday Spotlight feature on my blog which includes an interview with both Katherine and Ellie (click here for full feature).
When Bea discovers a hive of bumblebees, she begins visiting them every day until one day she visits and they’ve vanished. She learns all she can about bumblebees and makes it her mission to create an environment for the bees to return, but will she succeed?
Favourite Spread:
I’ve found it hard to pick a favourite spread because there are so many gems of humour hidden within Ellie’s illustrations – I love Bea’s school project “To Bee or Not To Bee”. These light touches perfectly balance the more serious message. There was one spread that really makes you stop and think and reflect: when Bea looks up at the silent tree that used to be home to the bumblebees. At the end of the book there are two spreads on the bees and what plants grow in Bea’s garden which are a fantastic resource to allow children to carry on thinking about the message of this book after they’ve read the story.
The Verdict:
I love this book – it has the perfect balance between story, facts, humour and message. This picture book not only shines light on the importance of looking after bumblebees but also has a diverse main character. That said, it is much more than just a message, it is a story too, one that children will enjoy reading, full of beautiful illustrations which add depth and humour.
I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
When Bea discovers a hive of bumblebees, she begins visiting them every day until one day she visits and they’ve vanished. She learns all she can about bumblebees and makes it her mission to create an environment for the bees to return, but will she succeed?
Favourite Spread:
I’ve found it hard to pick a favourite spread because there are so many gems of humour hidden within Ellie’s illustrations – I love Bea’s school project “To Bee or Not To Bee”. These light touches perfectly balance the more serious message. There was one spread that really makes you stop and think and reflect: when Bea looks up at the silent tree that used to be home to the bumblebees. At the end of the book there are two spreads on the bees and what plants grow in Bea’s garden which are a fantastic resource to allow children to carry on thinking about the message of this book after they’ve read the story.
The Verdict:
I love this book – it has the perfect balance between story, facts, humour and message. This picture book not only shines light on the importance of looking after bumblebees but also has a diverse main character. That said, it is much more than just a message, it is a story too, one that children will enjoy reading, full of beautiful illustrations which add depth and humour.
I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2019
Local author Katherine Pryor has tackled another nature related topic. Added to Zora’s Zucchini and Sylvia’s Spinach is Bea’s Bees.
Bea follows the bees and returns to their home in a tree in the park She is disappointed when they are gone. She notices cut flowers and asks her librarian what type of flowers a bee likes. Bea learns a lot about bees and tries to attract them to her tree where they were housed. She even hands out flower seeds to others, hoping her bees will return to her neighborhood if everyone plants the seeds.
Fibrant watercolor illustrations accompany the story of Bea, whose full name is Beatrix, a person of color and she carries a raised fist button on her backpack.
The last spread inspires the reader to be a friend to bees with helpful suggestions to take bee species of the endangered species list. The last page identifies the flowers growing in Bea’s garden.
A wonderful addition that could compliment a lesson on bees. The reviewer had a hardback copy to review
Oral
AD+
Kindergarten through 3rd grade
Bea follows the bees and returns to their home in a tree in the park She is disappointed when they are gone. She notices cut flowers and asks her librarian what type of flowers a bee likes. Bea learns a lot about bees and tries to attract them to her tree where they were housed. She even hands out flower seeds to others, hoping her bees will return to her neighborhood if everyone plants the seeds.
Fibrant watercolor illustrations accompany the story of Bea, whose full name is Beatrix, a person of color and she carries a raised fist button on her backpack.
The last spread inspires the reader to be a friend to bees with helpful suggestions to take bee species of the endangered species list. The last page identifies the flowers growing in Bea’s garden.
A wonderful addition that could compliment a lesson on bees. The reviewer had a hardback copy to review
Oral
AD+
Kindergarten through 3rd grade
February 1, 2019
I received an ARC from Schiffer Kids via NetGalley.
Bea finds a bee colony in an old oak tree in the park. She watches them work and fly. One day, they're gone and she doesn't understand why. She asks her teacher and librarian for help. She discovers that the flowers the bees ate were cut off. Bea continues her research and plants flowers bees like to bring back the colony. She passes wildflower seeds to everyone at the science fair too. Soon flowers bloom all over town. The bees and the butterflies return.
Informative text at the end of the book about bees and a lovely chart of flowers they like.
The text is difficult to read in this electronic ARC version but am hopeful that will not be true once published.
Pryor presents a relatable young woman who cares about the bees. Readers can connect with this portion of protecting the earth and broaden their own thoughts.
Illustrations realistically present the park and other scenes.
Bea finds a bee colony in an old oak tree in the park. She watches them work and fly. One day, they're gone and she doesn't understand why. She asks her teacher and librarian for help. She discovers that the flowers the bees ate were cut off. Bea continues her research and plants flowers bees like to bring back the colony. She passes wildflower seeds to everyone at the science fair too. Soon flowers bloom all over town. The bees and the butterflies return.
Informative text at the end of the book about bees and a lovely chart of flowers they like.
The text is difficult to read in this electronic ARC version but am hopeful that will not be true once published.
Pryor presents a relatable young woman who cares about the bees. Readers can connect with this portion of protecting the earth and broaden their own thoughts.
Illustrations realistically present the park and other scenes.
October 16, 2018
Bea developed a fondness for bees when she discovered a hive in the park. She noticed the bees were lively and happy collecting pollen. One day the bees were gone. She made it her mission to find out why they left and how to get them back. With the help of a librarian she researched bees the flowers they like and had a plan to get them back.
Young readers will love this book, especially if they love plants and bees. Readers will learn about various plants and how bees need them to survive and so do people. Without bees pollinating plants we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables to eat. Parents and teachers can use this guide to help kids understand how important bees are and how we can help save them by planting gardens of flowers bees thrive on.
Young readers will love this book, especially if they love plants and bees. Readers will learn about various plants and how bees need them to survive and so do people. Without bees pollinating plants we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables to eat. Parents and teachers can use this guide to help kids understand how important bees are and how we can help save them by planting gardens of flowers bees thrive on.
May 23, 2019
This is a delightful book about bees, but what I actually love most about it is how it empowers children. Not just by telling them they can go make a difference or even by giving them an example of someone does, although it does that too, but because it gives them actual steps to take. Camouflaged in between a well paced story and a character you will root for, are ideas for kids who have questions. What do you do when you don't know why something happened? What do you do when you find out what went wrong and you're worried about it? Can kids really make a difference? The answers are on these pages and they leave you feeling optimistic. You will also find yourself rooting for Bea just as much as you're rooting for her bees.
October 13, 2018
Bea's Bees
by Katherine Pryor
This is a great story for empowering young children that they can affect and change things in their world. Bea found a hidden treasure a natural wild bee hive, she was enthralled with the bees, But when the colony disappeared she did not stop at that. Bea when and researched and found out what things she could do to save the bees. Bea found out important bees were. And she did something about it. Its an empowering book with great information, and is the how to for young children not only to look into what interests them, but also how they can affect positive change.
by Katherine Pryor
This is a great story for empowering young children that they can affect and change things in their world. Bea found a hidden treasure a natural wild bee hive, she was enthralled with the bees, But when the colony disappeared she did not stop at that. Bea when and researched and found out what things she could do to save the bees. Bea found out important bees were. And she did something about it. Its an empowering book with great information, and is the how to for young children not only to look into what interests them, but also how they can affect positive change.
October 21, 2018
A very pleasant and attractive book about a girl who loves her local colony of bees and worries when they vanish, but one with an awkward ending. In just having the bees rush back out of a hole in the ground the implied answer is that they would come back anyway – which kind of defeats the purpose of the book. Still, others might read it differently to me, and in that case the simple lesson in how to encourage bees for all our benefits is a more than decent one. Other books rattle through the story and then clunk a load of information on to the end of the entertainment – not so here, as the balance is fine.
January 22, 2019
I loved this book. The illustrations are simple and pretty and don't distract from the story. It can be used as a nice story or be delved into deeper by bringing awareness to the children that we need to protect our open spaces and flowers so that we can keep the wildlife alive. It is the start of simple conservation talk and I think would work really well.
I would use this book in school with children aged 3-9 years old as I feel like they would all take it on different levels and it is very flexible.
I will be adding a more detailed review on my blog on 14th March 2019 but can move it earlier if requested.
I would use this book in school with children aged 3-9 years old as I feel like they would all take it on different levels and it is very flexible.
I will be adding a more detailed review on my blog on 14th March 2019 but can move it earlier if requested.
March 16, 2019
I love this little book! When I am looking for children's titles, the first thing I look for in a story is the lesson. This story teaches several lessons about curiosity, inquisitiveness, learning, patience, community, and hope.
The facts at the end are helpful, as well as the facts and the plan throughout! I enjoyed the illustrations, as they took care to show a caring world.
I delightfully received a digital ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The facts at the end are helpful, as well as the facts and the plan throughout! I enjoyed the illustrations, as they took care to show a caring world.
I delightfully received a digital ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2019
This book is so lovely!
The wonderful folks at Thomas Allen & Son sent me this book for review and, goodness, I love it. Beatrix discovers a hive of bees in her park. She visits them and watches how they flit about from flower to flower. When her bees disappear, Bea goes to the library to learn all about bees and figure out a way to bring them back. The story is told in perfectly bite-sized bits on gorgeous illustrations. This will be a book your nature-loving kiddo will want to read again and again.
The wonderful folks at Thomas Allen & Son sent me this book for review and, goodness, I love it. Beatrix discovers a hive of bees in her park. She visits them and watches how they flit about from flower to flower. When her bees disappear, Bea goes to the library to learn all about bees and figure out a way to bring them back. The story is told in perfectly bite-sized bits on gorgeous illustrations. This will be a book your nature-loving kiddo will want to read again and again.
October 19, 2018
Thanks NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
Kids will be buzzing for Bea and her bees. I loved the representation, and the story of someone who sees the beauty in bees instead of being afraid, and that when faced with their loss, she rolled up her sleeves and found something to do about it. Great tips in the book too about how like minded children could make their own change in their neighborhood!
Kids will be buzzing for Bea and her bees. I loved the representation, and the story of someone who sees the beauty in bees instead of being afraid, and that when faced with their loss, she rolled up her sleeves and found something to do about it. Great tips in the book too about how like minded children could make their own change in their neighborhood!
June 16, 2019
Bea falls in love with bees after finding a hive in an old oak tree. She learns as much as she can about bees. Then one day the bees disappear. Bea vows to help bring them back. She presents her work in the science fair and passes out wildflower seeds to all her classmates. Soon flowers are growing again in her neighborhood and the bees return.
February 10, 2020
Bea discovers bees in a park near her home, but they disappear and she wants to know where they went. She asks her teacher and the librarian and then finds books and researches where they have gone. Bea decides to help them come back by creating an environment that welcomes them. The back gives a call to others to create a friendly environment for the bees and why it is important.
September 13, 2020
This book helps children become inquisitive about the world around them. Learning about Bees also brings about the lesson of learning to care for our environment. Overall this book emphasizes the importance of asking questions and problem solving.
June 18, 2019
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
June 22, 2020
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A cute book with great pictures. A lot of great bee facts to go with the story.
A cute book with great pictures. A lot of great bee facts to go with the story.
August 27, 2021
Lovely book.
September 5, 2023
Such a sweet book! The child’s curiosity is at the center of this story as we all learn a bit more about bees. Loved the backmatter too!
October 10, 2023
Read this book today at the London Children's Museum- at the bees exhibit! A great read 🤗
July 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. This would be a great addition to school libraries where kids are learning about pollinators and the importance of bees. Little ones might not understand everything but it would be a great intro to this important environmental topic.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2018
What a wonderful story on bees to tell a child. This is the story of Bea a young girl who was facinated by the bees who lived in a tree. One day she goes to the tree and finds the bees are gone. The next day the butterfly is gone. She talks to her teacher and librarian and reads all she can about bees. Bea then decides that only flowers will bring back the bees. So she goes on a campaign to bring back the bees to the tree and her neighborhood. This book tells alot about bees and why we need them. I even learned some things. Illustrations are cute and appealing to the reader. I recommend this book to 3-7 year olds.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 15, 2018
Bea is an inquisitive young lady who discovers a bumblebee hive one day after school. When those bees disappear, she begins to ask why and how can she get them to come back. One question led to another, then another, and eventually she learned what bee's need. Using her science fair project as a way to spread what she learned, Bea enlisted the all her friends, and the community, in planting wildflowers in order to attract more bees. The illustrations in the book bring the story to life. It is a lovely story for children that shows the power of asking questions, searching for answers, and the power of individual and communal action.
October 17, 2018
Bea has a problem, all the bees in the hollow tree are gone. She starts asking questions to the adults in her life to find out where they have gone. From her science class she knows that bees are necessary for the fruits and vegetables we eat. So she researched what she needed to do to bring them back. She planted all kinds of wildflowers and plants that they like. She did her science fair project on bees and gave all her friends and classmates wildflower seeds. The bees came back with all the new flowers in the neighborhood. At the end of the book it talks more about the importance of bees and what we can do to save them.
October 24, 2018
Bea’s Bees is a positive story about bees. So often, bees are depicted as scary, flying insects to be avoided or get stung. This book shows that bees are good. They can fly around you while they search for flowers. It explains what bees do with pollen and how they help. Bea is sad when the bees disappear and researches why they went away and how to get them back. In the end that is exactly what occurs.
I enjoyed this easy to read book. The illustrations are wonderful. Being afraid of bees was never an issue. It was just accepted that Bea was not afraid of them. It is a great book for children who may be frighten or who are first experiencing these insects for themselves. I particularly liked that Bea planted seeds to bring the bees back to the park. As a bonus, the book contains illustrations of flowers and plants that attract bees.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
I enjoyed this easy to read book. The illustrations are wonderful. Being afraid of bees was never an issue. It was just accepted that Bea was not afraid of them. It is a great book for children who may be frighten or who are first experiencing these insects for themselves. I particularly liked that Bea planted seeds to bring the bees back to the park. As a bonus, the book contains illustrations of flowers and plants that attract bees.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews