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Pea, Bee, & Jay #1
Stuck Together
Get ready to roll with Pea, Bee, & Jay in this brand-new early reader graphic novel series by Brian “Smitty” Smith, perfect for fans of Narwhal & Jelly, emerging readers, and comic lovers alike!
Like all peas, Pea loves to roll. So when a no-good strawberry dares him to roll all the way off the farm, he swears he can do it—eazy me-zee!
But along the way, a powerful thunderstorm strikes and bounces Pea off course...and right into two unlikely new buds: a bee named Bee who thinks she knows it all, and a bird named Jay who can’t figure out how to fly.
On their own they may not look like much, but if this trio can stick together, they just might help Pea find his way back home!
Like all peas, Pea loves to roll. So when a no-good strawberry dares him to roll all the way off the farm, he swears he can do it—eazy me-zee!
But along the way, a powerful thunderstorm strikes and bounces Pea off course...and right into two unlikely new buds: a bee named Bee who thinks she knows it all, and a bird named Jay who can’t figure out how to fly.
On their own they may not look like much, but if this trio can stick together, they just might help Pea find his way back home!
64 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2020
75 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
August 18, 2020
Admittedly biased.
May 13, 2021
This series is off to a promising and punny start. Pea is hanging out with his friends and takes a dare to roll under the fence and over to a tree with red leaves. On the way there a storm hits and Pea loses his sense of direction. A honeybee and a Blue Jay come along to help Pea find his way home. Includes some great details like the predictable encounter with raspberries on a bush. There is also a surprise in store regarding Bee's identity. Looking forward to see what happens next for this unlikely trio.
March 29, 2021
Why was I so weirdly invested in/delighted by this one? Welllllll...::adjusts glasses:: it's easy to take books like this at face-value -- silly, sweet, usually brief -- but when you stop to think about the intricacies of the storytelling here for young readers, it's kind of amazing. The purposeful vocabulary, the interplay between the words and pictures, the emotional expression and plot development accomplished in just a few strategic panels, page after page...graphic novels for younger readers are an exploding format right now and when they're this well-done, it's not hard to see why.
September 30, 2025
Are you ready to embark on a whimsical adventure with Pea, Bee, & Jay?
✏️ Review ✏️
Stuck Together, the first book in the Pea, Bee, & Jay series, is only the second graphic novel that I've read. And I really had fun reading it. It's filled with a comically humorous and enjoyable storyline (the Pea, Bee, & Jay series' title is cleverly funny in and of itself). The plot is more on the simplistic side but is still fun to read. As the most important aspect of a graphic novel, the illustrations are a colorful and expressive depiction of the story through art. And let's not forget the MCs — a varied and memorable trio that compliment each other satisfying, just like the contents of a PB&J sandwich. 😁 Stuck Together provides a brisk read. I look forward to continuing the adventures of Pea, Bee, & Jay.
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📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The illustrations — pretty colorful and expressive.
• The plot — an easy-to-follow, enjoyable read.
• The three MCs — a complimentary trio of characters.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• (Can't think of anything in particular.)
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❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*
— To whom? To those who enjoy graphic novels that contain a simpler plot, colorful illustrations, and a varied trio of main characters.
*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)
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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3.5/5 [rounded down to 3 on Goodreads])
~Fundamentals {Graphic Novel Version}: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3/5
— 🎨 Illustrations: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 3/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
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📣 Random Comments 📣
• (None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
✏️ Review ✏️
Stuck Together, the first book in the Pea, Bee, & Jay series, is only the second graphic novel that I've read. And I really had fun reading it. It's filled with a comically humorous and enjoyable storyline (the Pea, Bee, & Jay series' title is cleverly funny in and of itself). The plot is more on the simplistic side but is still fun to read. As the most important aspect of a graphic novel, the illustrations are a colorful and expressive depiction of the story through art. And let's not forget the MCs — a varied and memorable trio that compliment each other satisfying, just like the contents of a PB&J sandwich. 😁 Stuck Together provides a brisk read. I look forward to continuing the adventures of Pea, Bee, & Jay.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The illustrations — pretty colorful and expressive.
• The plot — an easy-to-follow, enjoyable read.
• The three MCs — a complimentary trio of characters.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• (Can't think of anything in particular.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*
— To whom? To those who enjoy graphic novels that contain a simpler plot, colorful illustrations, and a varied trio of main characters.
*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3.5/5 [rounded down to 3 on Goodreads])
~Fundamentals {Graphic Novel Version}: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3/5
— 🎨 Illustrations: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 3/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• (None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
Read
November 16, 2020This is a cute and funny easy graphic novel about a trio of weirdos who find each other after a storm and become fast friends. It's silly with gentle humor and I'd hand it to fans of Baloney and Friends or Jelly & Narwhal.
August 2, 2022
Soooooo nice soooo nice 😊
August 4, 2023
Pretty good book, if you ask me.
March 24, 2022
Such an adorable early reader. This book is about Pea (a green pee), Bee (a queen bee), & Jay (a blue jay) as they try to find their way back to the farm after pea has lost his way.
October 7, 2020
Energetic and silly, this graphic novel throws together an unlikely trio of new friends in the first book in a new series. The story begins with Pea, who longs to be the one in the garden who is able to roll the farthest. When he is taunted by a rude Strawberry and Cherry, he agrees to try to roll all the way to the tree with the red leaves on the other side of the fence. Unfortunately, just as he leaves the farm, a storm hits and he is tumbled along with the water. He bumps into a bee, who warns him of the dangers outside the farm, particularly the dangerous birds. That’s when they meet Jay, who returns Bee’s satchel to her and then forlornly walks away. When Jay reveals that he can’t fly because he fell from the nest and was never taught how, he joins their group. Now they must get Pea back home before his mother worries about him. But there are more dangers lurking in the bushes (literally!)
Smith has created a madcap race of a book. Filled with all sorts of puns about peas and bees, the book’s writing is pure silliness. After all, what can one expect from a book who entire title is a pun and likely the inspiration for the characters. However it was conceived, this is a book that children will adore. It’s truly funny, filled with friends and has plenty of action too.
The art is clear and comical. From a bee with glasses to a bird who walks to a pea who bounds across the pages. The pacing is brisk, helped by the snappy dialogue and the wildly fast moments of the story. The art works well, moving just as fast as a pea can roll.
About much more than the birds and the bees, you have to give peas a chance. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
Smith has created a madcap race of a book. Filled with all sorts of puns about peas and bees, the book’s writing is pure silliness. After all, what can one expect from a book who entire title is a pun and likely the inspiration for the characters. However it was conceived, this is a book that children will adore. It’s truly funny, filled with friends and has plenty of action too.
The art is clear and comical. From a bee with glasses to a bird who walks to a pea who bounds across the pages. The pacing is brisk, helped by the snappy dialogue and the wildly fast moments of the story. The art works well, moving just as fast as a pea can roll.
About much more than the birds and the bees, you have to give peas a chance. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
October 1, 2020
Fresh. Current attitudes and language, great story, spot-on humor for early readers. I wish Grant were still needing me to show him early chapter books - this would make him laugh!
August 31, 2020
Unlikely Friends Help Each Other
This is a super cute story about how an unlikely trio came together and had some adventures. The story is told as a graphic novel and can certainly be read to a younger child or read by someone just passed the early reader stage. The main protagonist is Pea, a young pea who likes to take off on his own and roll around the farm. Although admonished by his mother not to go too far, his “friends” encourage him to cross the fence to a tree across from the farm and bring back a leaf from it as proof that he went that far. Pea can't resist but soon gets stuck on the other side when a flash storm hits. He first encounters a bee, who is friendlier than Pea would have thought, and the bee determines to help the little pea get back. As they try to do so, they meet the jay. This bird has never flown. It fell out of the nest, and that was it. They eventually make it back to the other side of the fence after having several mishaps and stumbles along the way. They decide from that day forward to be friends. The illustrations in this graphic novel are cute, with Pea making several different funny faces throughout. There is also some good humor along the way as well, some of it better appreciated by adults but much that children will enjoy as well. In its own way, it teaches a little about prejudice—as the bee thought all birds were bad and that you had to run from one as soon as you saw one and Grandpa Pea thought of honey as “bee poop”—and the importance of friendship, even if with unlikely “people.” It was fun enough that I am curious to see what the next adventures of Pea, Bee, & Jay will be.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
This is a super cute story about how an unlikely trio came together and had some adventures. The story is told as a graphic novel and can certainly be read to a younger child or read by someone just passed the early reader stage. The main protagonist is Pea, a young pea who likes to take off on his own and roll around the farm. Although admonished by his mother not to go too far, his “friends” encourage him to cross the fence to a tree across from the farm and bring back a leaf from it as proof that he went that far. Pea can't resist but soon gets stuck on the other side when a flash storm hits. He first encounters a bee, who is friendlier than Pea would have thought, and the bee determines to help the little pea get back. As they try to do so, they meet the jay. This bird has never flown. It fell out of the nest, and that was it. They eventually make it back to the other side of the fence after having several mishaps and stumbles along the way. They decide from that day forward to be friends. The illustrations in this graphic novel are cute, with Pea making several different funny faces throughout. There is also some good humor along the way as well, some of it better appreciated by adults but much that children will enjoy as well. In its own way, it teaches a little about prejudice—as the bee thought all birds were bad and that you had to run from one as soon as you saw one and Grandpa Pea thought of honey as “bee poop”—and the importance of friendship, even if with unlikely “people.” It was fun enough that I am curious to see what the next adventures of Pea, Bee, & Jay will be.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
April 6, 2021
Had to grab this out of the new book box - cute story about a traveling legume, a mysterious insect, and an orphan avian, AKA Pea, Bee, & Jay. Love the ending! Good set up for future adventures. Bee poop - lol!
December 22, 2020
A super witty and fun graphic novel that 2nd-4th grade will enjoy. There's developing friendships, overcoming the perceived impossible, and some fun banter.
This is a great new series for fans of the Narwhal and Jelly series.
This is a great new series for fans of the Narwhal and Jelly series.
January 9, 2021
Cute early graphic novel that’s punny and highlights friendship among three unusual characters.
April 20, 2021
Cute story, including some puns that young readers might not understand. I believe I saw this recommendation from some librarians sharing funny books for students.
April 10, 2022
Simplistic and punny. A silly story about an odd mix of friends. An insect, a bird, and a talking vegetable. The style reminded me of old newspaper comic strips but the stories are much longer.
April 27, 2021
This was painfully bad.
November 20, 2020
For the younger audience, this graphic novel series is kickass. I've only read the first one but I will definitely be following the series about friendship. Not only do I adore the play on words but it's set on a farm and in the country where you've got Pea. Then Pea meets Bee (who happens to be the queen of the hive and super nerdy with her satchel and conversation). They sort of work together to get to the tree to show that Pea can travel the farthest on the farm until they then run in to Jay, but Jay sadly was left alone and never learned how to fly without anyone to help him.
They encounter the nuts falling from the tree and some additional troubles like a fox in the bush.
It's a story of friendship and perseverance and it is lovely. The standard format of a graphic novel is perfect to read and understand for the littles who love graphic novels. I'm here for it.
They encounter the nuts falling from the tree and some additional troubles like a fox in the bush.
It's a story of friendship and perseverance and it is lovely. The standard format of a graphic novel is perfect to read and understand for the littles who love graphic novels. I'm here for it.
November 12, 2020
Although it seems far-fetched, this book is actually about a pea named Pea, a bee named Bee, and a blue jay named Jay – which is just what the cover promises. And it works! Pea rolls far from the pod and gets swept away by rain. He meets Bee, who is actually the queen of her hive, while she’s trying to get away from the pesky drones. And Jay is a hapless blue jay who comes upon Pea and Bee while they’re trying to get Pea back home. The three friends brave the wilds of the farm trying to find their way home, including angry acorns, annoying raspberries and a frisky fox. The antics of these unlikely pals are entirely believable and are carried along by witty, easy to read dialogue and really funny puns. The digital art is wonderful. With just two to six panels per page, this graphic novel really hits the mark for newly independent readers. And there’s a sequel!
October 12, 2020
I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperAlley in exchange for my honest review.
The illustrations in this book are perfectly fine, but they in no way make up for the lack of substance. I don't even find any of the characters remotely likeable. Will kids enjoy this? Yes, they will. It is just not my style.
The illustrations in this book are perfectly fine, but they in no way make up for the lack of substance. I don't even find any of the characters remotely likeable. Will kids enjoy this? Yes, they will. It is just not my style.
June 9, 2020
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Harper Collins through Edelweiss+.
Pea heads out exploring following a dare from other fruit on the farm. A wild storm provides a bit too much adventure and he gets lost. He meets Bee and they continue to explore. Finally, they meet Jay - a bird who was abandoned and can't fly. Together they set off to find the way back to the farm. Along the way, they escape from a fox when Bee teaches Jay to fly. Eventually they make it back to Pea's home and all end up staying together.
This is book one in a coming series for lower elementary readers. The characters show expression and the scenes come to live through the artwork. Readers will enjoy the humor and fun as the three get to know each other.
I received an electronic ARC from Harper Collins through Edelweiss+.
Pea heads out exploring following a dare from other fruit on the farm. A wild storm provides a bit too much adventure and he gets lost. He meets Bee and they continue to explore. Finally, they meet Jay - a bird who was abandoned and can't fly. Together they set off to find the way back to the farm. Along the way, they escape from a fox when Bee teaches Jay to fly. Eventually they make it back to Pea's home and all end up staying together.
This is book one in a coming series for lower elementary readers. The characters show expression and the scenes come to live through the artwork. Readers will enjoy the humor and fun as the three get to know each other.
September 5, 2020
'Pea, Bee, Jay #1: Stuck Together' with story and art by Brian "Smitty" Smith is a graphic novel for young readers about three very unlikely friends.
A pea on a farm is dared to roll to a tree to find a leaf and bring it back. He runs in to a bee who seems to know it all and a jay who can't fly. A storm has blown Pea off course and Bee and Jay have decided to help the pea get home, but along the way, the all help each other and make friends.
This was a silly book with some heart. I loved all the talking things like I love all the talking things in the Muppets. The raspberries are kind of my favorites and I think they will make kids laugh out loud. This would be a fun book for any young reader.
I received a review copy of this ebook from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
A pea on a farm is dared to roll to a tree to find a leaf and bring it back. He runs in to a bee who seems to know it all and a jay who can't fly. A storm has blown Pea off course and Bee and Jay have decided to help the pea get home, but along the way, the all help each other and make friends.
This was a silly book with some heart. I loved all the talking things like I love all the talking things in the Muppets. The raspberries are kind of my favorites and I think they will make kids laugh out loud. This would be a fun book for any young reader.
I received a review copy of this ebook from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
December 16, 2020
Silly, goofy, yet endearing at the same time. The characters are so innocent in their ventures to prove a dare.
A green pea, a glasses wearing honeybee, and a blue jay become new friends in this early reader graphic novel.
Helicopter mom, Pea’s mother, warns her son, no rolling too far from our row in the garden. But as with children, the temptation is too great and soon Pea is rolling away to the big red tree.
Along the journey a trio of friends form, Pea, Bee & Jay. Venturing forth, they works together to get past tough-talking acorns, raspberry-blowing raspberries, and a sly, yellow-eyed villain.
Puns and jokes abound, making this series opener as silly with a sweet underlying message of friendship.
The art has a lot of green, is fresh and appealing.
A green pea, a glasses wearing honeybee, and a blue jay become new friends in this early reader graphic novel.
Helicopter mom, Pea’s mother, warns her son, no rolling too far from our row in the garden. But as with children, the temptation is too great and soon Pea is rolling away to the big red tree.
Along the journey a trio of friends form, Pea, Bee & Jay. Venturing forth, they works together to get past tough-talking acorns, raspberry-blowing raspberries, and a sly, yellow-eyed villain.
Puns and jokes abound, making this series opener as silly with a sweet underlying message of friendship.
The art has a lot of green, is fresh and appealing.
November 4, 2020
This graphic is novel is geared toward new independent readers (2nd/3rd grade) as Pea is challenged by Strawberry and Cherry to leave the farm and get a red leaf off a tree. During his travels, a storm happens he ends up meeting Bee, who is hiding from others bees, and then they meet Jay, an all alone bird, who is willing to help Pea get back to the farm. There is a lot of silliness and puns (Dad jokes) along the way as this trio becomes friends. Smiths illustrations are vibrant and playful. This new series would be a great way to introduce new readers to graphic novels.
May 31, 2021
A cute little self-contained adventure and making of new friends. The art style is cute and each of the three friends has a distinct personality. Jay is awkward but still willing to help, while the other two are outgoing go-getters. Kind of nice not to have a shy or whiny one like many other trios in children's lit. They travelled quite a distance and accomplished quite a few things considering how small the book is; lots happened but it reads really quickly with nice big panels and no filler panels.
May 25, 2020
Very fun graphic novel for the newly independent reader set. This is the start of a series in the new Harper Alley GN imprint and it is very well done. Lot of humor both visual and text, fairly simply vocabulary and lots of visual cues. The story line involves 3 very unlikely friends and the adventure that brings them together.
Bright colors, well designed panels and humor well designed for the age the book is intended for, this series opener is a real winner!
Bright colors, well designed panels and humor well designed for the age the book is intended for, this series opener is a real winner!
June 8, 2020
Pea loves to roll! He accepts the dare to roll off the farm, despite his mother's earlier warnings and has quite an adventure. Along the way, he meets Bee and Jay and learns about friendship.
Children will appreciate the artwork and the characters, their humor and adventure. -- I had a slight issue with the pea rolling around the farm and returning to the pod. However, I don't know that children will, and it wasn't enough to bring it down for me. I think children will just enjoy the story.
Children will appreciate the artwork and the characters, their humor and adventure. -- I had a slight issue with the pea rolling around the farm and returning to the pod. However, I don't know that children will, and it wasn't enough to bring it down for me. I think children will just enjoy the story.
November 15, 2020
I received an ARC through NetGalley from HarperCollins Children’s. This is a great graphic novel for emerging readers. Pea is dared to roll off the farm, further than any pea has gone before. On his trip he meets some new friends (Bee and Jay) and they are all changed by meeting each other through their adventures. First in a series. Good for 1st - 3rd grade. My son read Pea and I read the other characters. Perfect!
November 15, 2020
I received an ARC through NetGalley from HarperCollins Children’s. This is a great graphic novel for emerging readers. Pea is dared to roll off the farm, further than any pea has gone before. On his trip he meets some new friends (Bee and Jay) and they are all changed by meeting each other through their adventures. First in a series. Good for 1st - 3rd grade. My son read Pea and I read the other characters. Perfect!
July 9, 2020
Pea, Bee and Jay are three unlikely friends who get into all sorts of trouble. But that is nothing when you are as smart, clever and cool as they are! While I still wonder, who is the farmer behind this farm (and why are the fruits and veggies not being eaten by humans), this book is a sweet new easy graphic novel/reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews