The Bee Tree

by Stephen Buchmann, Diana Cohn, Paul Mirocha (Illustrations)

Special Recognition, Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Skipping Stones Honor Award, Skipping Stones Magazine

This beautifully illustrated STEM picture book is both a fascinating insight into honeybee behavior and a satisfying story of coming of age.

Nizam lives in a village in Peninsular Malaysia. His grandfather Pak Teh is the leader of the honey hunting clan. It is Pak Teh who has the high honor of climbing the tall Tualang tree deep in the rainforest. Lying on a branch more than a hundred feet in the air, he uses the clan's secret method to harvest the honey without being stung. But Pak Teh is getting older, and he is ready for someone to take over his role. Even though Nizam and his cousin Shukor have climbed the mighty Tualang in the daylight, they have never done it at night. Will they be brave enough? Will the angry bees sting them? Or will they succeed and claim their place in the clan?

The creators of this book participated in the honey hunt with the Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Malaysia, and the extensive backmatter provides additional information on the country, the rainforest, the Orang Asli, and the giant honeybees.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Cultural, Science, Asia

40 pages, ebook

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Stephen Buchmann is an Adjunct Professor of Entomology and Ecology/Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Stephen has published nearly 200 scientific articles and 11 books. His newest book is "What a Bee Knows" from Island Press (DC). He is a pollination ecologist known for his studies of buzz pollination, oil-producing flowers, and the conservation biology of native bees and their flowers. His books include "The Forgotten Pollinators" with Gary Paul Nabhan, "The Reason for Flowers," and his children's book: "The Bee Tree" (Lee & Low Books, NY). Buchmann also enjoys landscape and macrophotography along with creating small fine art bronzes. He's a frequent guest on NPR radio programs including All Things Considered and Science Friday. His literary awards include the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12.

Reviews

[ReadingWench · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book. Not only does it tell a story, it also has facts of Malaysia in the back of the book, perfect for a child doing a report

AR 5.7

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book weaves in geography, cultural traditions, science and folklore seamlessly. The pictures were vibrant and the additional information about the country of Malaysia at the back of the book was an unexpected bonus.

[HeatherAnne Norbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at Honey Hunters in Malaysia. Really cool! Beautiful illustrations and a section on the country and the citizens who inspired the books. And wow! Climbing 120 feet in the air to harvest honey from combs 6 feet long! Just wow!

[Larissia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar concept to other bee tree book, but gives an insight to another culture and why they gather honey a different way.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about honey hunters in Malaysia. Might be a bit long for younger children, but my elementary schooler found the story interesting and enjoyed learning about a different culture.

[Tower Hill]

P

[jahki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malaysian
bees
bee hive
honey

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a tribe family that harvests giant bee honey.

[TREVIS C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multicultural literature. Nizam crosses the line from boyhood to manhood by learning to climb the Bee Tree.

[Lauren Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about another country, but I wish there was more to the story.

[Anna Shi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with combination of amazing honey-hunting story and knowledge of Malaysia. I have to say after reading this book, I come to love Malaysia too. I cannot wait any longer to see the giant bee tree.

The first half of the book tells us a magic story about honey hunters in Malaysia. I see their braveness, hard work and respect to the nature in the story. This should also be the spirits that the writer wants to convey to the readers and wants them to learn from those brave honey hunters. No matter how dangerous the situation is, one can succeed with strong faith.

The second half of the book pulls readers out of the story and provides them with lots of information about Malaysia, including the geography, population, customs and culture differences. It shows us a complete picture of this country and I believe people who read this book will come to love this country.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

TEACHERS, TAKE NOTE! This book is a gem! I was riveted by this straightforward story of a Malaysian boy learning the art of honey-collecting, and wowed by the number of things I learned from the nonfiction notes at the book's conclusion. It's absolutely fascinating! My only quibble is with the author's insertion of their own voice and experiences in the nonfiction bits. I wish they had written exclusively about Malaysia rather than inserted so much about themselves in Malaysia. But no matter! I can overlook those choices for the simple joy I feel in having learned SO MUCH COOL STUFF. This one will be a joy to book talk!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic children's book about gathering honey in Malaysia. Great mix of tradition, classic science, a fun myth, and family structure. The family embraced the myth and showed respect for its message by heeding its warnings while preparing for and gathering honey. I was surprised at how well it was written; the art is beautiful. Also in the back of the book is pictures of the real trees with the ladders they climb up to reach the honey, photos of the hives, and of the character in the book, the grandfather (and more!). I think I may purchase this later.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and true tale about honey hunters in Malaysia. Their age old techniques and respect for the bees and their land is inspiring and amazing. I really enjoyed reading the story as well as the notes at the end of the book that tell more about Malaysia and how the authors learned about the people highlighted in the story. It makes me want to visit there and see it for myself.

[lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy climbed all the way up to a bee tree and then got some honey and then the bees couldn't sting him because they were all down and he was safe.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Really an interesting book! The author really went to Malaysia and witnessed a honey hunt. We loved the real pictures at the end!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

useful to teach about community, working together, and setting and accomplishing goals.

[Hannah]

Interesting story, full bleed illustrations, and good background information about Malaysia is the back.

[Hilary]

Set in Malaysia -- based on real people who harvest honey from honeybee nests in giant trees in the rain forest.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating tale of the golden harvest, honey, using traditional harvest techniques.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of the heritage of honey in the rain-forest in Malaysia. Pray we preserve the forest to keep the livelihood honey provides and all of the bees that make so much new life possible.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about a Malaysian boy learning the art of honey-collecting with an impressive amount of informational end matter enhancing the cultural and geographical context of the story. Paul Mirocha's striking illustrations the magical wonder of the Malaysian rain forest.