The Zombees

by Justin Colón, Kaly Quarles (Illustrator)

Overview

“This charming read-aloud will be requested on repeat.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

A swarm of zombie bees invades an unsuspecting town on Halloween night in this delightfully spooky picture book from the author of The Quacken—perfect for fans of Creepy Carrots and Los Gatos Black on Halloween.

What’s that creepy buzzing sound coming from the graveyard ground?

ZOMBEES!

When these undead insects invade, they send everyone fleeing in fright.

Are they hunting for a snack?
Do they like the taste of veins?
Have they come to eat your brains?!

Find out in this rhyming Halloween tale with an unexpected twist!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665922517
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	50 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Justin Colón is a professional actor and children's book author. His previous picture books include The Quacken (illustrated by Pablo Pino) and Impossible Possums, (illustrated by James Rey Sanchez). A lover of Halloween and zombie movies, Justin is also a backyard beekeeper. Though his bees sometimes frighten the neighbors, they’ve never tried to eat their brains—something Justin takes great pride in. He lives in New York, but you can visit him at JustinColonBooks.com.

Kaly Quarles studied interior design and worked in architecture before landing in illustration. Her love for historic shopfronts, Victoriana, and vintage ephemera runs deep. When Kaly isn’t drawing with a cat in her lap, she’s hunting for obscure antiques, watching or reading historical fiction, or hosting one-woman pastry-eating contests.

Editorial Reviews

"Spine-chilling fun... Delightful wordplay and spooky artwork combine for hair-raising shivers."

Kirkus Reviews

"A collection must, this charming read-aloud will be requested on repeat."

School Library Journal

"This picture book... sends shivers down the spine."

Publishers Weekly

2025-04-04
A swarm of spooky bees come out on Halloween.

An intrepid pale-skinned youngster wearing a crooked witch hat and a cape investigates an eerie buzzing sound echoing from a graveyard. Suddenly, ghoulish green bees appear from behind the tombs. “One by one, their shadows rise, / Taking flight toward moonlight skies.” They are… “ZOMBEES!” With stitched-up wounds and tattered clothes and in varying states of decay, the bees moan and groan as they approach. “Do they like the taste of veins?” the protagonist wonders. “Have they come to EAT YOUR BRAINS?” The witchy tot runs to the library for help. Soon after, beekeepers armed with protective suits and smokers come to save the town. But when the zombees have an unexpected “ooky spooky” treat for the townspeople, the mood shifts, and everyone’s mindset changes—yes, even undead bees have sweet treasures worth savoring. Packed with lively rhymes begging to be read aloud with heightened dramatic flair, the zombees are simultaneously terrifying and adorable. Pops of neon green shine bright against the dark Halloween sky. Storytellers who lean into the spine-chilling fun by slowing the pace and stretching out syllables will surely elicit frightened squeals in response.

Delightful wordplay and spooky artwork combine for hair-raising shivers.(Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews