Books for littl'uns

[Headnavigator]

My five-year-old Grandson is potty about bees - to the extent that his Father caught him trying to construct a beehive in the corner of his bedroom. I'd love to encourage him, he's a bit small for a bee-suit as yet, and picture books seem an easy way, the Ladybird book 'The Life of the Honeybee' is the best example I have, but while the pictures are great, the text is a little old for him yet. The 'Bee Movie' and accompanying book are pretty dreadful, can anyone suggest other items that might be appropriate and of interest? I wouldn't like his interest to wane away.
(I want to make an observation hive next year if my skills are up to it.)

 

[beeboybee]

there are a few on the Th0rnes website in the book section i think i saw one in waterstones as well recently, Hanna and the bees?

 

[victor meldrew]

'Rusty', one time subscriber to this forum is authoress to a series of books about "Belinda Bee", aimed at the little ones
VM

 

[Headnavigator]

Many thanks!

 

[mexbigshow]

try a bookstore called the works if you find one i picked a beekeeping book up for £2 its like a school science book all about honey bees, i'll get the name of the book when i go home

 

[malawi2854]

I would heartily recommend a book by the title "The Beeman". Written by Laurie Krebs.

My sister found it originally, she owns a nursery school, and agrees this is the best book about beekeeping she has ever found. It covers the entire process of beekeeping, from where nectar comes from, through to bees storing it, us extracting it, and jarring it.

Absolutely excellent - and it's written with a rhythm to it - perfect for little people.

Unlike most books, I've not yet found any horrible inaccuracies in it, either!

Available on Amazon:
[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beeman-Laurie-Krebs/dp/1846861454[/ame]


Hope that helps someone!

 

[Storm™]

Slightly different tack ....

I'm sure you probably do already but if you let him eat cut comb he will associate a good feeling with the honey and the excitement about eating it.

And smells, I can still remember the smell of a wasps nest found in our loft. It was quite huge, anyway it stank of erm ..... stale newspapers if that makes sense. I you introduce stuff we take for granted, like smells, the smell of the hive etc it will stick and unconsciously he will associate that with being with you, something I presume he enjoys immensely. So that will provide a good memory anchor as we remember smells far better than most things and the memories those smells invoke and that will help with the interest waning. Just a thought...

 

[Headnavigator]

Many thanks Malawi, it looks great on Amazon, exactly what I wanted, so it's already n it's way!
Storm you are so right about smells! Much of my 'pull' towards beekeeping was as a result of helping my Grandfather as a kid, and the smell still brings his presence to mind even after all these years. I was thinking I hadn't any honey to share with my Grandson this year as I didn't take any off, but I've just realised I have the brood frames from a hive I combined and half a dozen 'arcs' of stores, I can get him to help me take some tasters from that. He's very keen, hope it doesn't take him the fifty years it took me to get into beekeeping!

 

[susbees]

On rec from this site on a similar thread the other day I bought a copy of Hannah and the Honey Bees at the Honey show for my now seven year old nephew who went through his first hive with me a month ago (a supercedure I wouldn't have noticed til spring....) when visiting.

My 10yo was underwhelmed....and bought her own copy with borrowed money. Ha ha. A woman sat through an entire Seeley lecture reading it in front of me.

A certain stalwart of a certain National organisation described the content as "politicized". Intrigued I now await 10yo to finish with it....

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

there are a few on the Th0rnes website in the book section i think i saw one in waterstones as well recently, Hanna and the bees?

Just bought it for my niece wife's proof read it, maybe bedtime reading for the younger ones, but a good story for the kids

 

[BeeJayBee]

I would heartily recommend a book by the title "The Beeman". Written by Laurie Krebs.

I was going to suggest that one too http://www.lauriekrebs.com/Pages/The Beeman.html

 

[Surreybeekeeper]

Headnavigator,

Beecraft recently published the book Hannah and the Honeybees which I believe is pitched at the age group you need. Have a look at http://www.bee-craft.com/shop/books/hannah-and-the-honey-bees/

Hope that helps,

James