A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree

With popcorn, this book would make a pretty great animated short.

Short, punchy words and playful rhymes help Bernstrom (Song in the City) commemorate the victory of a small bee over a large, honey-hungry bear in this playful picture book. After both parties awaken and stretch in the morning light, kinetic digital spreads by Scott (I Was Born a Baby) show the bear, with big, googly eyes and a sheepish expression, stalking the hive through grass while the bee goes about its business collecting pollen. Brief phrases soon pile up in pleasing ways, as when the bear ("a hungry bear/ a honey bear") first makes an attempt on the goods: "a sneaky busy honey bear// a fretful bee/ a paw in tree// a very angry fuzzy bee." Not until it hoists itself into the tree does the bee, shown with comically tiny wings and an outraged expression, register the complaint, enlisting the help of its hive-mates. Dramatic lighting--dawn's glow, the lamp-like shine of the honeycomb, the dusk of evening--amplifies the spreads' appeal while offering a clear temporal feel. The David-and-Goliath confrontation, and its swarming turnabout, make this a snappy, fast-moving readaloud for youngest readers, with ample visual punch lines to boot. Ages 3-7. Author's agent: Brenda Bowen, Book Group. Illustrator's agent; Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary. (Nov.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

101 Great Books for Kids List, Evanston Public Library (IL)

"A rollicking, hilarious picture book. With its rhyming, easy-to-read text and vibrant illustrations, this rib-tickling story is perfect for reading aloud to a group or for beginning readers to tackle on their own." — Read Brightly

"Outstanding....sure to become [a] favorite at your house....a delightful read-together with emerging readers." — Christian Science Monitor

"Delightful....if you read only ONE bear-related picture book this year, let it be this one.....The ultimate read aloud to large groups as well as one on one lapsits." — Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal

"My own personal favorite....This'll knock your socks off." — Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal

"★★★★★ One of those books destined to become a classic, one that kids will ask to be read over and over again, a great choice for storytimes.... just so much fun." — Youth Services Book Review

"Essential. Scott's illustrations are luminous! Gorgeous. Glowing....the words and pictures are a cohesive whole that will delight every reader. A master text for picture book writers - it'd be great to share with any creative writing class." — Kiss the Book Jr.

"Daniel Bernstrom's complete joy in the English language is married to an equally complete understanding of what makes children laugh. This sticky, fuzzy, action-packed tongue-twister will delight readers as young as 8 months old, while inspiring seven year-olds to write poetry, since he's made it look so fun. I have been reading Bernstrom's work with delight for a good while. Expect this one to become a beloved classic." — Emily Jenkins, author of A Greyhound, a Groundhog and Harry Versus the First One Hundred Days of School

"An exhilarating romp....A Bear, A Bee, and a Honey Tree will be all the buzz for home story times both for adults - who will have a rollicking good time reading aloud - and kids - who will want to hear it again and again. The book will be a hit for classroom reading and would make a terrific addition to public library preschool programs. A Bear, A Bee, and a Honey Tree is a must for any children's book collection." — Celebrate Children's Books

"A snappy, fast-moving readaloud for youngest readers, with ample visual punch lines to boot." — Publishers Weekly

"Memorable language and enjoyable, colorful, interesting illustrations make this a standout title to share with young readers. After reading it once, I had to read it again. A winner!" — Myra Zarnowski, educator, Queens College, NY

"Sure to be a read-aloud hit." — Libby Bergstrom, Global Reach Libraries, Highland Ranch, CO

"The bear and the bees are adorable, just adorable. What a wonderful story to read to your child." — Roxanne, Arts & Letters Books

"Humorous... readers see characters through a few well chosen words... don't miss the character expressions on each page." — Pamela Gombert, Educator, Bowen Elementary

""A rowdy, rhythmic read aloud featuring a hungry, fuzzy brown bear and a hive of angry bees. Read along as they come face-to-face in an epic showdown!" — @maistorybooklibrary

"The characters' expressions are a hoot." — Alisa Edwards, Napa Bookmine