Bee Catastrophe: We'll Miss Them When They're Gone

by Marta Magellan, Mauro Magellan (Illustrator)

Not long ago, fields buzzed with the sound of bees. People and other animals ate their honey. Some animals even ate the bees. And all types of bees like bumble bees and solitary bees did their part to help plants grow. But bees are in danger, and you wouldn't want to live in a world without them. Is there anything you can do? Read this book so that you can help avert the bee catastrophe.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Marta Magellan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has lived in Miami, Florida since the age of seven. She taught Composition, Creative Writing, and Survey of Children’s Literature at Miami Dade College, where she was a full professor and award-winning adviser to Miambiance, the campus literary arts magazine. She has written travel articles for magazines and newspapers but her love for children and profound interest in nature has produced several award-winning children’s books about wild animals, many in collaboration with her brother, Mauro Magellan, an illustrator who has produced work for Albert Whitman, Pelican Press, Scholastic, among others. She has also written children's books for the educational market and a few travel articles on exotic places. She has traveled abroad extensively, and now lives in Miami with her husband and not too far from her beloved son and daughter and grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kelly Sanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains important information for readers of all ages. Bee Catastrophe uses simple language to concisely explain ways human behavior is adversely affecting the bee population and proposes realistic ways a reader can lessen their impact on the problem. I remain a fan of Marta Magellan's straightforward approach to explaining complex biological science to young readers while empowering them with practical ways to be solution minded. I highly recommend this book not just for children, but many adults would benefit from the kind of understanding found in this succinctly insightful story.

[Jill S · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEE CATASTROPHE is a gorgeous and important book. A beekeeper investigates what killed many bees in his hives. The story takes the reader along on this investigation. Along the way we learn about the danger of pesticides, other dangers to bees, and the importance of bees to society. The back matter is filled with ways that readers can help bees and more facts about bees. There are so many extension activities and lessons educators, librarians, and parents can apply to this book as part of lessons on nature, conservation, ecology and more!

[Alice Bianchi-Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all lovers of bees – this sumptuously illustrated non-fiction picture book by Brazilian brother and sister duo Marta and Mauro Magellan is packed with riveting facts about bees and the well-loved fruits and vegetables they are responsible for pollinating such as peaches, limes, avocadoes pumpkins and zucchinis. This picture book does not hesitate to denounce the chemicals responsible for the recent and surprising decimation of bee populations world-wide, and more importantly, lists simple actions apiarists, farmers and we can all take to help the bees proliferate in our own yards and gardens. By breaking down the science with accessible language and welcome child appeal, this picture book magnifies and brings to life the bees’ honeyed world - may we long enjoy their mellifluous buzzing!

[Lynn B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEE CATASTROPHE, written by Marta Magellan and illustrated by Mauro Magellan, can summed up by its opening spread: "For centuries, fields hummed with the sound of insects. Crickets chirped, katydids trilled, and honey bees buzzed…Here’s the catastrophe: Bee by bee, colony by colony, these buzzers have been disappearing.” We learn how a farmer in Florida discovered his bees were all dying, how the use of a specific pesticide has been tragic for bees and, importantly, why readers should care. Back matter shows what kids can do to help, and also includes Some Cool Facts About Bees. The heartfelt text is accompanied by accomplished illustrations, making it a strong choice to learn about this important issue.

[Laura Stegman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bee Catastrophe, written by Marta Magellan with absolutely gorgeous illustrations by Mauro Magellan, tells the compelling story of how bees, an essential part of the food chain, are disappearing and why. Scientists have discovered that a type of pesticide, referred to as neonics, are poisoning bees when they land on treated plants. This beautiful picture book is packed with important information about how young readers can participate in easy to understand activities at home and at school to avoid a bee catastrophe. There are also cool facts about bees, such as that there are 20,000 bee species and how it takes twelve worker bees their entire lifetime to make one spoonful of honey. Check it out!

[Molly Ruttan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction picture book brings to light the terrible situation we have in the world right now regarding the die-off of honey bees. With gentle, straightforward language and beautiful realistic illustrations the book tells how the mystery of the disappearing bees was discovered, what is causing it, and what the world may be like if it continues. Back matter gives helpful and encouraging suggestions for things kids and people of all ages can do to help avoid the disastrous outcome of not having any more bees in the world. Every classroom and library should have a copy of this book. A must read for all ages!

[Judith Valdés B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Marta Magellan’s BEE CATASTROPHE: We'll Miss Them When They're Gone is a call for action to stop the use of chemicals that indirectly affect the population of bees. It highlights their important role in the growth of fruits and vegetables and explains why caring for bees is crucial for our lives.

The author uses language that is easy to understand for young children, explaining scientific terms in context. The back matter offers specific ways in which we can all contribute to avoiding the bee catastrophe.

[S.K. Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This straightforward story explains how a bee keeper in Florida discovered that bee colonies were being adversely affected by a particular pesticide, as well as attempts that were made to decrease the harm from it to bees. However, efforts to save bee colonies was only met with limited success, and more needs to be done around the world. This story clearly lays out reasons that readers should care about saving bees. Perhaps a few young readers will be inspired to grow up to become a bee hero. The bee-friendly actions in the back matter round out this wonderful and necessary book.

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using simple to understand language, this fascinating book explains why bees are disappearing at an alarming rate. Science concepts like pollination are easy to follow for young readers and the impact of losing bees is made crystal clear. The accompanying illustrations are gorgeous and strongly support the text. I particularly loved the empty grocery store shelves. To provide a hopeful ending to a serious topic, the back matter gives kids practical ways to help the bees.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The importance of bees and the danger of pesticides is clearly presented in this picture book giving children a way to understand the issues and offers ways they can help by creating gardens and other bee-friendly environments. Magellan uses scientific language that is accessible for young readers and the book would be wonderful for classroom use.

[Julie Abery · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book clearly written and explained for children to understand a bit more about bees, why they are dying out, and why they need our help to survive! The art is realistic and draws you into the story. Back matter with suggestions for children on how they can avoid a 'bee catastrophe' is included.

[Michelle Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that bees are insect superstars? This book tells readers why with engaging, kid-friendly text and illustrations. You’ll learn about bees’ role in pollination, how specific pesticides are killing bees, and what actions farmers and others are taking to help bees. Back matter shows invites readers to do their part to to avoid a bee catastrophe.

[Jessica Stremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story about the effort to solve the mystery of why bee colonies are disappearing, including a look at bee parasites and the use of chemicals on plants. Back matter provides practical solutions for ways kids can help save bees.

[Songju Daemicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book that gives kids and all of us an urgent call to bee’s dangerous situation and what that means to our daily life. We must act now to help avoid a bee catastrophe! Highly recommend this environmental STEM book.

[Gina Soldano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of what's happening to bees, it's no mystery! And though it is distressing to find out what's going on and why they're dying, it gives children ways to make a difference and fight to save the honey bees. Highly recommend as a must read!

[TGReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children have loved learning about bees since we visited a farm with a feature on them years ago. This book explains the importance of bees and how humans can balance the use of pesticides with the need to protect our bees. Very interesting and a great conversation starter.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important, lovely story about the importance of bee colonies and why they are disappearing. Wonderful illustrations and engaging back matter, which outlines ways kids can take action to help save the bees!

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kid-friendly read about what's happening to kill bees and how everyone can help. Great for homes, classrooms, and libraries!

[Heather Bell]

An informative story about the life of bees and how much they affect our lives. The illustrations are gorgeous and there is terrific backmatter on how to avoid a "Bee Catastrophe." Great book for classrooms as well as home.

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bees are one of my favorite things, and I've shared a number of bee books with my students in recent years. I'm glad to add Marta's and Mauro's Bee Catastrophe to that collection. Mauro's illustrations are beautiful, and Marta shares facts about bees before sharing the mystery of the death of a hive in Florida. Marta introduces things that could kill the bees and shares the impact of the loss of pollinators like bees on plants and other food sources. The book concludes with the mystery of the bees' deaths being solved: the bees died from neonics (pesticides). This book is an action call and includes back matter with ways kids and their families can help. Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries, and homes!

[Molly Cranch · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bee Catastrophe" explains how bees, and therefore humans, are being negatively affected by the use of pesticides called neonicotinoids. The book provides a historical context and shows how bees are important pollinators. The illustrations of the natural world are wonderfully detailed. The topic of "Bee Catastrophe" is complex and challenging, however the book explains the topic clearly and concisely. There is also back matter offering suggestions for actions that readers can take to help remedy the situation. I would especially recommend this to educators as a wonderful addition to the classroom.

[Vivian Kirkfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bees are so important - and they are in danger. And if bees are in danger, so are we humans.
What a great story for kids - and for the adults who read it with them. The illustrations are lovely by author/illustrator Marty Magellan and help to bring her text to life.
This is a must-have for school libraries and home bookshelves.

[Dano Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bee Catastrophe explains in plain terms why bees are important as pollinators, why they are dying, and how we can help protect them. This is such an important topic - and one that will continue to impact future generations. This book is perfect for classrooms, homes, and any setting where kids have opportunities to help with organic gardening.