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Bee and Flea #2
Bee & Flea and the Puddle Problem
Insect investigators Bee and Flea are back for another sleuthing STEM adventure!
After a busy week of crime-fighting, F.L.E.A. (Fenced-in Area Law Enforcement Agency) investigators Bee and Flea are invited to an exciting an after-the-rain party, hosted in a puddle. Bee feels reluctant to go―she should be working on earning her official F.L.E.A. badge, and she doesn’t even know how to swim!―but enthusiastic Flea drags her along.
The pair peruse the puddle party, until Bee spots a lost baby water bear huddled beneath a leaf. Returning the creature to its mother would definitely help her earn that badge! But on the way, she discovers a bigger problem. The puddle is getting smaller, and her friends’ home is at risk of disappearing!
The second book in this engaging and funny chapter book series sees rookie agent Bee overcome challenges and crack her first case. Dynamic black-and-white illustrations bring the cast of underwater partygoers to life, while sneaky STEM content introduces readers to the water cycle and other environmental concepts.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published April 15, 2023
6 people want to read
About the author
Anna Humphrey
29 books112 followersAnna Humphrey is the author of Rhymes with Cupid (HarperTeen, 2010), Mission (Un)Popular (Disney/Hyperion Books for Children, 2011), Ruby Goldberg's Bright Idea (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014) and Clara Humble & the Not-So-Super Powers (OwlKids Books, 2016)—all books for young readers. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and kids.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 5, 2023
Well what at times seemed an ungainly guide to pond life actually managed to do what some edutainment books fail to do – the entertainment side of things. This allegedly is about Flea, who is an agent of FLEA, and Bee, who is definitely less than B+ when it comes to making the grade. After a rainfall, Flea demands Bee ignore all fear of the water and go to a party in a puddle – but when Bee realises something is very, very wrong, but fails to shake Flea from her jollity, she knows it's all up to her…
A lot of this is an introduction to all the microscopic and similarly-scaled critters in pond water, disguised as a sports day turned party turned clowning around session. But lo and behold it ends up being a different kind of lesson, immediately for Bee but therefore us all also. And I can imagine a version of this that is a whole lot better than it ended up, but you know what? I certainly thanked it for trying, because it did have character and entertainment. The descriptions of all the tiny beasties just forced us to google, although – and that might be as well be an upper case although – that might only be true if we actually realise we're in a natural sciences lesson. If not, the story of Bee and her fish-out-the-water feelings being forced to go on a potentially life-saving mission, however late in the day as regards actual page count it might be, is still a strong if awkward one.
Flawed, definitely, but packed with energy, this is a rum kind of biology project dressed up as an action adventure, but the readability almost makes three and a half stars seem a smidge low.
A lot of this is an introduction to all the microscopic and similarly-scaled critters in pond water, disguised as a sports day turned party turned clowning around session. But lo and behold it ends up being a different kind of lesson, immediately for Bee but therefore us all also. And I can imagine a version of this that is a whole lot better than it ended up, but you know what? I certainly thanked it for trying, because it did have character and entertainment. The descriptions of all the tiny beasties just forced us to google, although – and that might be as well be an upper case although – that might only be true if we actually realise we're in a natural sciences lesson. If not, the story of Bee and her fish-out-the-water feelings being forced to go on a potentially life-saving mission, however late in the day as regards actual page count it might be, is still a strong if awkward one.
Flawed, definitely, but packed with energy, this is a rum kind of biology project dressed up as an action adventure, but the readability almost makes three and a half stars seem a smidge low.
May 20, 2024
In this follow up to Bee & Flea and the Compost Caper, the duo joins a puddle party after a rainfall. Not knowing how to swim, Bee is hesitant to join, but Flea insists and prevails. Once in the puddle, they encounter many different creatures in the puddle. When Bee finds a water bear who has gotten separated from its mother, she puts aside her fear of swimming to reunite the water bear with its mother, thinking this act of bravery and service will help her to become a full-fledged member of F.L.E.A (Fenced-In Area Law Enforcement Agency). As she does this, a bigger problem comes to light—the puddle is disappearing. With supportive illustrations and humor, this STEM themed romp through the water will teach readers about the world of tiny water creatures and the stages of the water cycle in a fun and engaging way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an electronic copy of the book to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an electronic copy of the book to read and review.
March 17, 2023
I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Bee and Flea are back for a second adventure. Bee wants to become a full agent of F.L.E.A. but feels something goes wrong each time she attempts to prove herself as an agent. Flea encourages her to relax and enjoy life rather than stay focused on the job all the time. They are invited to a puddle party. Flea is excited and convinces Bee to come too. Bee has to learn to conquer her fear of water and to be less intense. By the end, both friends are ready for the next party and to be together for work.
I appreciate the information on the water cycle and life cycles of water creatures woven into the story. The quiz at the end offers readers a chance to learn more science.
Bee and Flea are back for a second adventure. Bee wants to become a full agent of F.L.E.A. but feels something goes wrong each time she attempts to prove herself as an agent. Flea encourages her to relax and enjoy life rather than stay focused on the job all the time. They are invited to a puddle party. Flea is excited and convinces Bee to come too. Bee has to learn to conquer her fear of water and to be less intense. By the end, both friends are ready for the next party and to be together for work.
I appreciate the information on the water cycle and life cycles of water creatures woven into the story. The quiz at the end offers readers a chance to learn more science.
September 16, 2023
Bee & Flea and the Puddle Problem is an illustrated chapter book that incorporates STEM knowledge in a way that is fun and accessible even for younger elementary kids. Bee is determined to become a full F.L.E.A. agent (Fenced-in Area Law Enforcement Agency) but Flea just wants to party in the puddle. Each tries to get their needs met while meeting fun characters along the way.
My daughter really enjoyed this story and laughed out loud at parts! I loved the clever ways that STEM knowledge was incorporated. The writing is fun and engaging, with lots of alliteration and some puns. We are looking forward to check out other titles in this series and think you should, too!
Thank you to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy for my family to review!
My daughter really enjoyed this story and laughed out loud at parts! I loved the clever ways that STEM knowledge was incorporated. The writing is fun and engaging, with lots of alliteration and some puns. We are looking forward to check out other titles in this series and think you should, too!
Thank you to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy for my family to review!
May 19, 2023
Bee and Flea are back! And through this funny romp, kids learn about tiny creatures in puddles and also a bit about the water cycle. And with the help of some amazing bacteria, Bee solves a missing child case and learns a lot from an indignant snail. Meet mosquitoes, tardigrades, a copepod, daphnia and amoebas! Will give the right kid a wonderful and sometimes gross sense of what exactly might be happening in that puddle in the yard. (This book is like Anita Sanchez' Hello Puddle picture book, but the creatures in this beginning chapter book are all microscopic!)
December 21, 2025
This chapter book is for your younger readers as there is great picture support by Mike Deas and larger font and shorter chapters by Anna Humphey. I loved the trials of Bee trying to become a full fledged agent in F.L.E.A. a crime solving organization. Bee has many obstacles to overcome along the way and each chapter reveals the clues to solving the mystery and trying to save the day! Simply put this book is FUN! (I believe my first and second graders will love it!)
April 23, 2025
I get this was meant for an audience of second graders or so, but if I was bored and not interested in following along with the different bugs and dilemmas, I can't imagine they will be. I guess it was cute and the bug conquered his fear of water, but it just was very eh. There were some pictures to break up the text, but it was very text heavy.
March 23, 2023
I love the Bee & Flea series. I enjoyed Bee & Flea and the Puddle Problem. The story is entertaining and fun while learning about science. I would recommend Bee & Flea and the Puddle Problem. I recieved a free copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing.
May 25, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book was flippity adorable. Bee, Flea, and all their friends have for a fun read appropriate for early readers
This book was flippity adorable. Bee, Flea, and all their friends have for a fun read appropriate for early readers
March 31, 2025
Bee is on her first case and is deperate to find a crime. However Flea is in chill mode and just wants to attend the after the rain party. For young readers who love science terms this book has some challenging STEM words and info which are mostly explained in the back of the book. The contents of a puddle are more complex than we know. I like the idea of introducing science and fun and think this book, although it appears in a cute format, would be for more advanced readers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews