The Girl Who Sings to Bees

by Chiquis, Lissette Norman, Geraldine Rodríguez (Illustrator)

Overview

New York Times-bestselling author and Latin Grammy Award-winner CHIQUIS shares a heartwarming story inspired by her journey about overcoming bullying and self-doubt and finding strength in a mother's everlasting love.

Janney and her mom always sang together to help the flowers in Abuelita’s garden grow. But now her mom is gone, and Janney’s song is stuck, somewhere deep inside. Bullies at school don’t help.

Every day, Janney watches one particular bee in Abuelita’s garden. Working harder than the others—focused and unafraid—the tiny bee doesn’t give up. Janney begins to feel inspired by the hardworking bee as the seasons change, until one afternoon, a melody escapes her lips, and Janney’s song once again fills the air in the garden.

And when the music begins, her mom’s songs sing through her heart, giving Janney the strength to overcome her fears and sing loudly and proudly to the bees . . . and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250409133
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	51 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Janney Marín—better known as Chiquis—is a two-time Latin Grammy Award winner, recording artist, businesswoman, and television celebrity. She first captivated her audience on reality shows with her late mom, Jenni Rivera, and their family. Chiquis launched her music career in 2014, making her musical debut at the Premios Juventud. She is the New York Times–bestselling author of Forgiveness and Unstoppable. Born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Compton, Chiquis now lives in Los Angeles.

Lissette Norman is an Afro-Dominican poet. She is the author of My Feet Are Laughing, Plátanos Go with Everything, and Abuela’s Library; she is also the coauthor of Until Someone Listens with Estela Juarez and On the Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette with Jennifer Jones. Lissette received her BA in English at SUNY Binghamton and lives in New York City.

Geraldine Rodriguez is a Mexican illustrator and digital artist. She has created artwork for the Mihi Ever After series by Tae Keller, the Fearless series by Mandy Gonzalez, and other children’s books. Geraldine lives in Nuevo León, México.

Janney Marin—better known as Chiquis— is a two-time Latin GRAMMY winner, recording artist (singer and songwriter), businesswoman, New York Times-bestselling author, and television celebrity. She first captivated her audience on reality shows with her late mom, Jenni Rivera, and their family. Chiquis launched her music career in 2014, making her musical debut on international television at the Premios Juventud. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of Forgiveness and Unstoppable. Born in Long Beach and raised in Compton, California. Today Chiquis lives in the city of Los Angeles.
Lissette Norman is an Afro-Dominican poet and author of the picture books My Feet Are Laughing, Plátanos Go with Everything and Abuela’s Library. She is also co-author of the picture books, On the Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette with Jennifer Jones, Until Someone Listens with Estela Juarez, and The Girl Who Sings to Bees with Chiquis. Lissette received her BA in English at SUNY- Binghamton. She was born and raised in New York City.
Geraldine Rodríguez is a Mexican illustrator and digital artist. An animation and music enthusiast, she has created artwork for the Mihi series by Tae Keller, Fearless series by Mandy Gonzalez and other beautiful children's books. She loves fantastic and wonderful stories where she paints sparkly environments and cool characters, warm and pretty colors are her favorite. She lives in Nuevo Leon, México.

Editorial Reviews

2025-03-22
Grammy Award–winning musician Chiquis draws from personal experience for the story of a grief-stricken girl rediscovering her voice.

The child works in the garden alongside her abuelita. Among the flowers and Abuelita’s honeybees, the young gardener recalls her late mother’s wise words: “Whenever you have a problem, sing in this garden.” Memories flood back: gardening with Momma, watching her mother perform before adoring crowds, and, above all, singing songs together. But sorrow silences the girl’s voice now. At her new school, bullies disparagingly point out that her budding vocal talents don’t measure up to her mother’s renowned singing prowess. As summer passes in Abuelita’s garden, the girl notices one “busy and unafraid” bee who works harder than the others. Moved by the bee’s efforts, the little singer rekindles her passion for singing. Soon, summer ends, the bee retreats underground, and the girl feels buoyed by her mother’s songs. This serene tale of hope amid grief hits the right notes. Inspired by her childhood as the daughter of Mexican American banda music singer Jenni Rivera (who died in 2012), her experiences being bullied at school, and her own musical success, Chiquis—with an assist from co-author Norman—merges an encouraging message of renewed inner strength with a poignant tribute to her mother, complemented by Rodríguez’s cozy artwork.

A steadfast hymn from daughter to mother. (author’s note)(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews