Suggestions for suitable bee books for kids who want to be bee keepers

[The Riviera Kid]

A friend of mine has got a 9 year old who wants to be a bee keeper when she is older.

can anyone suggest good books to read as an introduction for bees and bee keeping for a more junior reader please??

thanks.

 

[nelletap]

I purchased the Paul Metcalf video for myself really, and took it when I visited my grandchildren aged then 4 and 7yrs. They were entranced. They kept wanting to see the next part. The 4 year old probably waned in the last 15 minutes of the last one. It was a weekend full of events - regattas, fetes, the elder one helped her dad judge the dog show - and when asked what was the best thing about the whole weekend the elder one said it was learning about the bees. You tube also has some great video about things like the waggle dance. Beecraft has a children's corner which is really good in each issue and also the education pack available from the BBKA is good - I have the original A4 binder version.

 

[kazmcc]

Our bees are for a primary school. They are to be used across the curriculum I'm told, but we are yet to have the teaching session. I'd be happy to let you know if I get to hear of anything useful regarding that age group.

 

[Silly Bee]

Best I've seen is Ted Hoopers.

 

[georgia b]

maybe the best thing to do would be to go to a local association's meeting one night, because there is allways someone willing to help out with young people. i was only 11 when i was introduced to beekeeping for the first time and everyone at the local association is willing to help me out. sometimes getting advice form these older beekeepers' is better than any book.
good luck, and it is the most amazing thing to do looking after bees.

 

[Vortex]

Whilst Hooper is a good book it'd be very heavy going for a 9 year old.
Having just seen a copy of the new Harper-Collins Bee Keepers Bible (RRP £30 but £15:30 on Amazon ) I'd suggest trying this. Whilst a large book it has a lot of good photographs.

 

[georgia b]

sorry i forgot to add 'keeping bees and making honey' is a good book, it has lots of pictures and it's got all the info you want if your just starting or thinking about keeping bees, its only £14.99
good luck

 

[mbc]

bees at the bottom of the garden - simples

 

[oliver90owner]

I might suggest a pile of back issues of beecraft?

Loads of pictures, adverts ansd usually a section for the younger ones and series for new beeks. cheap cheerfull, 'cut-upable', lots of illustrations and quipment and easily passed around or dumped.

Or a trip to the local library and take home a couple from there? Returning for a different set if the interest continues. No more cost than the travelling, if you are lucky, and don't forget to return them!

Selected videos are another good resource.

Regards, RAB

 

[The Riviera Kid]

thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

I think that Hooper is a great book but it's very much about the techniques and intricacies of bee keeping.

I think that the kid hopes to go and get involved with bees locally at some point.

 

[RoofTops]

Alan Campions Bees at the Bottom of the Garden, as already suggested, would be suitable for say 12 years upwards. It is very readable and written in a way that conveys the enthusiasm of the author. Not too long and not too expensive.

 

[bees knees]

We recently bought a book for our nephews (aged 9 and 6) from a second hand shop in Hay-on-Wye. It is very much aimed at children and is an introduction to beekeeping rather than a manual of how to i would say. It is called "Hooray for Beekeeping" by Bobbie Kalman (Crabtree publishing company). We will be giving it to them later this week so i'll let you know what they make of it...

Whilst in Hay we came across a specialist 2nd hand book shop that stocks a number of bee books. It is called C.Arden and they keep a catalogue of their bee books which i think can be accessed on line at www.ardenbooks.co.uk

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

This one should be brief and clear enough to get a 9 year old interested.

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bee-Keeping-Inspiration-Practical-Smallholders/dp/1843404184/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283930060&sr=1-4[/ame]

 

[The Riviera Kid]

thanks for those additional replies. i have checked them out and they seem like very good options.

 

[roche]

If you can find a copy - the ladybird book Life of the Honey-bee. I know of one association where it is recommended for beginners. A little bit tired in the illustrations department, but good content.

 

[Onge]

Best I've seen is Ted Hoopers.

Lol for a 9 year old.

Sorry I had to laugh.

I'm in a funny mood today

 

[tonybloke]

I purchased the Paul Metcalf video for myself really, and took it when I visited my grandchildren aged then 4 and 7yrs. They were entranced. They kept wanting to see the next part.

where in the UK are you nelletap?

Paul Metcalf is my mentor!

 

[Hebeegeebee]

I have a Ladybird book on the honeybee which I had as a child some err 40 years ago. I discovered it and flicked through it a week or two ago and it's a perfect introduction - if you can find one. I think mine cost about 2 shillings and sixpence! (2/- 6d) I even used it to help me give a talk to my class when I was 8 or 9.

 

[barratt_sab]

There are several copies of the Ladybird book on abe:


http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/S...tby=17&sts=t&tn=Life+of+the+Honey+Bee&x=0&y=0