The Broken Bees' Nest

by Lydia Lukidis, André Ceolin (Illustrator)

Overview

Tying into the popular Makers Movement, Makers Make it Work is a series of fun easy-to-read stories that focus on problem-solving and hands-on action. With bright, eye-catching art and explanatory sidebars with additional information on the topic, these books show kids how to use their hands, their heads, their creativity, and their problem-solving skills to overcome every challenge facing them. 

Arun and Keya find the perfect tree for a tree house. Too bad it comes with a battered bees' nest! These bees need a new home—right away! With the Makers Make It Work series, any kid can be a Maker! Each book also includes an activity for young makers to try themselves. (Topic: Beekeeping).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635921137
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	01/01/2019
Series:	Makers Make It Work Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	6.56(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lydia Lukidis is a children's author with more than 30 books and eBooks published, along with numerous stories, poems and plays. She writes fiction and nonfiction, and also composes educational texts and lesson plans. André Ceolin is a self-taught illustrator from Brazil. He has illustrated several books for kids including My Journey to the Stars by astronaut Scott Kelly.

Editorial Reviews

"This entry in the Makers Make It Work series elucidates bee biology and beekeeping within an easy-to-read multicultural story.

While searching for the perfect tree to build their treehouse, Arun and his little sister, Keya, stumble upon a damaged feral bees' nest in an oak. They turn to Dr. Chen, a neighbor who has beehives in her backyard and sells honey at the farmers market. Arun, Keya, and Dr. Chen work together to relocate the bees to another hive and then to harvest and bottle the honey from the original comb. In the end, Arun reclaims the tree for their treehouse and crowns his sister 'Queen Bee.' The text is a bit heavy-handed here and there: 'Arun checked with his parents first. When their dad said yes, they raced to Dr. Chen's house.' While these didactic intrusions are well-meant, they weigh down the text, making the story less lively and zippy than the title and the illustrations by Ceolin would suggest. Still, the scientific information contained in both the narrative and supplementary inserts throughout, as well as the suggested 'maker' activity in the backmatter (planting a bee-friendly garden), is top-notch. Notably, the feral hive is accurately depicted—a rarity. Arun and Keya's family seem to be South Asian, and Dr. Chen is probably Chinese. Simultaneously publishing are series companions The Lost and Found Weekend, about sewing; Rocket Rivals, about rocketry; and Slime King, about chemistry.

A solid addition to any classroom library, with the added bonus of a cast that's wholly people of color."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher