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Bee Love
A Minnesota Book Award Finalist
Otis wasn't scared of many things, but at the top of his list? Bees.
When Grandpa was younger, he was afraid of bees too. That is, until he learned about them. Bees are amazing insects, Grandpa tells Otis. They're pollinating powerhouses! To help Otis overcome his fear, Grandpa takes him to a bee farm, where he learns that while bee love can be hard, it is also important.
Lovely pastoral paintings are the backdrop to this gently told, relatable story. The book includes extended information about bees, beekeeping, and pollinators.
This delightfully readable story about overcoming your fears was written by former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer Alan Page, and his daughter, Kamie Page, an educator. Page Education Foundation donates 100% of their book proceeds back to the Foundation, which offers financial assistance to students of color facing barriers to attaining their educational dreams.
Otis wasn't scared of many things, but at the top of his list? Bees.
When Grandpa was younger, he was afraid of bees too. That is, until he learned about them. Bees are amazing insects, Grandpa tells Otis. They're pollinating powerhouses! To help Otis overcome his fear, Grandpa takes him to a bee farm, where he learns that while bee love can be hard, it is also important.
Lovely pastoral paintings are the backdrop to this gently told, relatable story. The book includes extended information about bees, beekeeping, and pollinators.
This delightfully readable story about overcoming your fears was written by former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer Alan Page, and his daughter, Kamie Page, an educator. Page Education Foundation donates 100% of their book proceeds back to the Foundation, which offers financial assistance to students of color facing barriers to attaining their educational dreams.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2020
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 29, 2022
A book about overcoming your fear over the importance of bees.
February 1, 2021
Beautifully illustrated and a wonderful story with a great message. Would recommend for kids who have a fear of bees (or any kids!). Support Black authors!
June 10, 2021
Followers of my reviews may be a tad surprised to see me add a children's book to my shelf. Just bear with me here, I promise it will be worth it...
For those who don't know, Justice Alan Page is one of the most respected and admired individuals ever to call Minnesota home. Football Hall of Fame member who accomplished the incredible feat of winning the league MVP award as a defensive lineman, retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, education activist, and so much more, he truly transforms a room with his mere presence.
Occasionally over the years, I have seen Justice Page at the grocery store or elsewhere around town, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I had to resist the urge to genuflect. He is just that impressive.
And long ago, as a young boy, I saw him at the airport and pleaded for his autograph. With all his usual dignity and gentleness, he informed my older brother and me that unlike most star athletes, he just didn't do that. I won't lie, I was devastated that day.
So true confessions, I partly acquired this book because ordering it through the Page Education Foundation website means getting a copy signed by the authors. How could I pass up a chance to finally get that autograph after all these years? I also find it supremely wonderful that he never signed autographs as an athlete, but happily does so as an author, mentor and justice advocate. If only we all had the sense to look for heroes in the right places...
So yes, flat-out fan boy here, and not one bit ashamed of it. Nonetheless, I also bought the book because I am deeply concerned about the global bee crisis, as we all should be. I am eager to support any effort to educate the public, especially children, about the wondrous true nature of these "pollinating powerhouses," as the book's Grandpa (based on Justice Page himself) puts it.
Co-written by Justice Page and his daughter, Kamie Page, Bee Love (Can Be Hard) presents a simple story, beautifully told and just as beautifully illustrated. Young Otis' journey from bee fearer and hater to bee protection advocate cuts right to the heart of the need for us all to think further outside ourselves and see the interconnectedness of life. I highly, highly recommend it for children of all backgrounds and zip codes, and for everyone who wants to feel transported and uplifted in these oft-heartbreaking times.
But not even all of that touches on the what might be most amazing aspect of this book, which no one could have foreseen when it was created. In the story, Otis and Grandpa visit a bee farm operated by Farmer Jerry, a character very closely based on a real-life Minnesota bee farmer, educator, and meditation coach named Jerry Blackwell. Mr. Blackwell also happens to moonlight as a state prosecutor. And in the spring of 2021, he uttered these immortal words in front of a jury:
"You were told, for example, that Mr. Floyd died because his heart was too big. ...The truth of the matter is that the reason George Floyd is dead is because Mr. [Derek] Chauvin's heart is too small."
Yes, the man who helped put Derek Chauvin behind bars keeps bees and educates the public about pollinators on a daily basis.
In short, the story told in Bee Love has great value in its own right. The existence of the book, and all the connections surrounding it, serve as potent reminders that all our lives grow in beauty and meaning when we make a decision to follow the trails forged by extraordinary people.
Thank you, Justice Page, thank you, Kamie Page, and thank you, "Farmer Jerry." The world is better for your presence in it, and we are all in your debt.
For those who don't know, Justice Alan Page is one of the most respected and admired individuals ever to call Minnesota home. Football Hall of Fame member who accomplished the incredible feat of winning the league MVP award as a defensive lineman, retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, education activist, and so much more, he truly transforms a room with his mere presence.
Occasionally over the years, I have seen Justice Page at the grocery store or elsewhere around town, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I had to resist the urge to genuflect. He is just that impressive.
And long ago, as a young boy, I saw him at the airport and pleaded for his autograph. With all his usual dignity and gentleness, he informed my older brother and me that unlike most star athletes, he just didn't do that. I won't lie, I was devastated that day.
So true confessions, I partly acquired this book because ordering it through the Page Education Foundation website means getting a copy signed by the authors. How could I pass up a chance to finally get that autograph after all these years? I also find it supremely wonderful that he never signed autographs as an athlete, but happily does so as an author, mentor and justice advocate. If only we all had the sense to look for heroes in the right places...
So yes, flat-out fan boy here, and not one bit ashamed of it. Nonetheless, I also bought the book because I am deeply concerned about the global bee crisis, as we all should be. I am eager to support any effort to educate the public, especially children, about the wondrous true nature of these "pollinating powerhouses," as the book's Grandpa (based on Justice Page himself) puts it.
Co-written by Justice Page and his daughter, Kamie Page, Bee Love (Can Be Hard) presents a simple story, beautifully told and just as beautifully illustrated. Young Otis' journey from bee fearer and hater to bee protection advocate cuts right to the heart of the need for us all to think further outside ourselves and see the interconnectedness of life. I highly, highly recommend it for children of all backgrounds and zip codes, and for everyone who wants to feel transported and uplifted in these oft-heartbreaking times.
But not even all of that touches on the what might be most amazing aspect of this book, which no one could have foreseen when it was created. In the story, Otis and Grandpa visit a bee farm operated by Farmer Jerry, a character very closely based on a real-life Minnesota bee farmer, educator, and meditation coach named Jerry Blackwell. Mr. Blackwell also happens to moonlight as a state prosecutor. And in the spring of 2021, he uttered these immortal words in front of a jury:
"You were told, for example, that Mr. Floyd died because his heart was too big. ...The truth of the matter is that the reason George Floyd is dead is because Mr. [Derek] Chauvin's heart is too small."
Yes, the man who helped put Derek Chauvin behind bars keeps bees and educates the public about pollinators on a daily basis.
In short, the story told in Bee Love has great value in its own right. The existence of the book, and all the connections surrounding it, serve as potent reminders that all our lives grow in beauty and meaning when we make a decision to follow the trails forged by extraordinary people.
Thank you, Justice Page, thank you, Kamie Page, and thank you, "Farmer Jerry." The world is better for your presence in it, and we are all in your debt.
February 2, 2021
Beautiful book!
Read
June 21, 2022This seems designed for kids who are afraid of bees to learn more about them and their role as pollinators.
November 2, 2022
I love the idea of this book, but the writing was clunky.
December 31, 2022
Great illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews