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Pea, Bee, & Jay #2
Wannabees
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! Who knew being queen could sting so much? All Bee really wants to do is play with her two best friends, Pea and Jay. But when she’s replaced by Lenny — an ambitious bee hungry for power — as queen of her hive, the friends set out to prove Lenny isn’t exactly who he seems to be. Can Bee, with the help of her friends, regain her crown and throne , or has the Reign of Lenny officially begun? Praise for Pea, Bee, & Kirkus Best Books of 2020 SLJ Best Books of 2020 Fall 2020 Indie Next List Amazon Best Books of 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection 2021 Texas Library Association’s Little Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List Selection
64 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2020
48 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 13, 2021
Pea, Bee, and Jay are back. There is something weird going on at the hive, so Pea and Bea disguise themselves as bees to help get solve the problem. Why is Lenny telling the bees to collect more honey than they can carry? Why has he taken over the hive from our friend Queen Bee? And my personal favorite: since when does a Queen Bee spend so much time away from the hive??? Anyway as with the first installment, there are some great details. This time the ears of corn and potato field are feuding. It seems the potatoes feel like the corn is doing too much listening in on their business. The ears of corn are certain the potatoes are spying on their business. Ha! Maybe once the hive is put to rights, the bees can help with that situation. Eazy me-zee as Pea would say.
October 7, 2025
The adventures of Pea, Bee, & Jay continue....
✏️ Review ✏️
Wannabees is a fun and light graphic novel to read. I felt pretty much the same way about this book as did for the previous one, Stuck Together. So go see my review of that book for more details. Other than that, I'm enjoying these lighter reads (especially in situations when I don't have much reading time) and look forward to continuing this series.
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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 atm.)
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❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*
— To whom? To those who have read and enjoyed Stuck Together, the first book in the Pea, Bee, & Jay series.
*(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)
~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)
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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
✏️ Review ✏️
Wannabees is a fun and light graphic novel to read. I felt pretty much the same way about this book as did for the previous one, Stuck Together. So go see my review of that book for more details. Other than that, I'm enjoying these lighter reads (especially in situations when I don't have much reading time) and look forward to continuing this series.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 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 atm.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*
— To whom? To those who have read and enjoyed Stuck Together, the first book in the Pea, Bee, & Jay series.
*(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)
~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)
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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
March 25, 2021
Bee-utiful art with vibrant colors and dynamic action! The story was simple and full of punny, witty banter. More than just a catchy title, these characters are full of heart and hearty laughs 🐝
May 3, 2022
Graphic Novel
Book 2 in this series.
Pea, Bee and the Queen have become terrific friends. However, the Queen neglects her hive and another bee takes over. In the end, the Queen saves the day and the hive and learns a lesson about responsibility.
Book 2 in this series.
Pea, Bee and the Queen have become terrific friends. However, the Queen neglects her hive and another bee takes over. In the end, the Queen saves the day and the hive and learns a lesson about responsibility.
April 10, 2022
Oddly humorous. A lot of banter. The focus of this story was to help Bee out with her living situation. Fun lighthearted read.
March 22, 2024
It's pretty good for little kids to imagine.
August 10, 2023
Not as good as Max and the Midknights.
December 24, 2020
I can see some kids having a "wait a minute" moment over the idea of a male bee wanting to be queen of a hive, but I don't know if the author was being weirdly inclusive or just weird. A royal bee named Lenny was a great bit, though. I'm also not sure about the concept of embezzling honey in a hive, but by that point the reader is just along for the ride, so it's easier to just go with the weird stuff.
I must say that the "disguises" for Pea and Jay were delightful, as was the ongoing battle between the field of corn and the field of potatoes, although a few kids won't get the gag there at first ["ears" of corn vs. potatoes with "eyes"].
It's cute, it's funny, and it should be a quick read for younger kids.
I must say that the "disguises" for Pea and Jay were delightful, as was the ongoing battle between the field of corn and the field of potatoes, although a few kids won't get the gag there at first ["ears" of corn vs. potatoes with "eyes"].
It's cute, it's funny, and it should be a quick read for younger kids.
January 3, 2022
When I read the first book in the series, it reminded me of Narwhal and Jelly but it's actually a bit for an older audience (more text) and it has less silly, more serious storylines. Still really cute though with a good message. This one is all about honoring your responsibilities and balancing play and work. There are also some cute puns with the vegetables :)
January 8, 2022
Super fun series! This was perfect for early morning reading snuggle time with 3 of my sons (ages 7, 3, and 2). We were able to read it in one sitting. I agree with another reviewer that the boy bee Lenny who took over as queen bee was a little odd, but we just rolled with it. I read a lot of early graphic novels, and this one was great!
June 1, 2023
I like this series! It's simple, easy to read, and loads of fun. In this adventure, it's Bee who is in trouble and her friends, Pea and Jay, are there to help. Can the beehive be saved? Can Bee get her job as Queen Bee back? Will the other bees trust her again? Will the corn and the potatoes ever get along? Read this second installment of Pea, Bee, & Jay to find out. You won't BEE sorry!
May 6, 2021
Bee admits to wanting to shirk her Royal duties in order to play with her new friends Pea and Jay. When power hungry Lenny tries to take over the hive, the 3 friends work together to save Bee’s throne. A few bad puns sprout in the altercation between the corn and potatoes!
January 13, 2025
When Bee frequently skips out on her duties to serve her hive in order to play with Pea and Jay, macho Lenny becomes queen bee. 🤣🤣🤣 And yes, that is as hilarious as it sounds! Funny, but also teaches a great lesson in tempering fun with responsibility. I love the illustrations, too.
August 27, 2020
As cute as the first. I think that Jay may be my spirit animal.
September 2, 2020
Loved it! Too cute!
October 24, 2020
A lot like the first one, but I found it less entertaining the 2nd time around. It is good to talk about farms and gardens though.
November 16, 2020
A great choice for emerging readers! :)
November 18, 2020
Very silly and entertaining. Only wish it was longer.
November 25, 2020
Great series.
January 14, 2021
Cute.
Clever use of words.
Plus adventure and responsibility.
Clever use of words.
Plus adventure and responsibility.
February 8, 2021
Bee needs her friends' help to thwart a potential usurper.
April 15, 2021
A coupe?! Espionage?! & an epic final battle against Lenny? This is a MUST read follow-up.
April 21, 2021
Publication Date: 2020
Format: Graphic novel
Connection/Topics: Friendship, problem-solving
Book 2 of 3
Format: Graphic novel
Connection/Topics: Friendship, problem-solving
Book 2 of 3
May 7, 2021
Another great Pea, Bee, Jay book. I love the humor in this series of graphic novels for younger readers!
June 4, 2021
It was a ok book I liked it!
June 15, 2021
Many classic, bee-jokes here. If you like puns you will not be disappointed.
June 22, 2021
Pea, Bee, and Jay are back for another adventure.
This one begins with Bee, then Pea and Jay join him in the hive to uncover a bee thief.
Reviewed from a library copy.
This one begins with Bee, then Pea and Jay join him in the hive to uncover a bee thief.
Reviewed from a library copy.
July 27, 2021
Great little book that can be used to talk about responsibility and being good friends through uncomfortable situations.
October 21, 2021
illustrated by Brian "Smitty" Smith. Published 2020, Series book. Grades 1-3 early reader fictional graghic/ picture book. Great bridge book. Give book talk about series.
February 21, 2022
Bee learns a big lesson about personality responsibility and saves the hive with the help of her friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews