I love books! As a parent, grandparent, teacher and lifelong learner, it only makes sense that I build a library that includes my passion for pollinators and beekeeping. Here are some of my favorites:
For Kids
Hello Honeybees
Here is a clever and interactive board book for “littles,” where the book itself transforms into a beehive.
Explore My World: Honey Bees
This is a great book for young readers. The photography from National Geographic is amazing.
Show Me The Honey
The always-popular Cat in the Hat shrinks the kids down and takes them into a beehive. Suggested for grades 1-3.
Lifecycles: Egg To Bee
The honeybee lifecycle is told with rich photography and includes great notes for parents/teachers.
What If There Were No Bees?
Here is the science behind what an ecosystem is and the environmental impact of one tiny insect if it were to disappear. Perfect for early elementary students.
AMAZON LINK: https://www.amazon.com/What-There-Were-Bees-Grassland/dp/140486394X
The Honeybee
This gorgeous picture book needs to be in the collection of anyone who enjoys or keeps honeybees! I received it as a gift. (Hint, hint!)
Kaia And The Bees
A young girl must learn how to be brave to overcome her fear of bees. (Her father is an urban beekeeper on the roof of their apartment building.) Also available in Spanish!
Bee Still
I am always on the lookout for STEAM-enriching topics for students of all ages. Busy Bentley Bee introduces children to the practice of mindful meditation. This is a terrific tool for parents and teachers.
For Beekeepers
Queenspotting: Meet the Remarkable Queen Bee and Discover the Drama at the Heart of the Hive
Can you find your queen when you need to? I confess that I am lacking when it comes to this skill. I love this book! It not only shares the secret amazing life of her highness; it has 48 queen-spotting challenges that rival “Where’s Waldo.” Also, why are my grandchildren better at this than I am?
The Little Book of Bees: An Illustrated Guide to the Extraordinary Lives of Bees
This is the ultimate book for gift-giving! It contains rich information about all things “bee,” as well as pages full of beautiful hand-drawn color illustrations. I ordered multiple copies to have on hand as a special thank-you gift.
The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees
With more than 4,000 unique species of bees in North America, there is so much to learn. And if you are a beekeeper, folks assume you know all about all bees, not just apis melifera. Not to mention that your own bees will tend to attract “cousins” and “wanna-bees” of all shapes and sizes! The color photographs alone make this a worthy “coffee table” book and a wonderful read in the winter months when our bees are all tucked in.
Honeybee Democracy
From one of my biggest beekeeping heroes of all time, Tom Seeley. This book details the years of research Seeley and his students conducted to learn precisely how honeybees “democratically” decide where to re-locate when they cast a swarm. I was mesmerized and found this book difficult to put down. Swarming is not random! Apis melifera uses extensive fact-finding, vigorous debate and consensus building to choose the best option, wisdom from which our society could learn a great deal.
For Prospective Beekeepers
Show Me the Honey: Adventures of an Accidental Apiarist
This lighted-hearted book is from a gifted writer who was “gifted” a colony of honeybees for Christmas by his well-meaning sister. His ups and downs are truthfully told and a “must read” for anyone considering beekeeping for fun or profit!
Bees Make The Best Pets
This little book is packed with fun facts and unique insights into the highly social world of bees. Anyone reading this book will learn at least 10 things they never knew about apis melifera. It is more of a “why” than a “how-to” book. A terrific gift for anyone interested in bees!!
Beginning Beekeeping: Everything You Need to Make Your Hive Thrive!
One of my favorite books to recommend for new beekeepers! The content is well-organized and divided into manageable bites of information (teacher perspective). All the important basics of beekeeping are beautifully illustrated with more than 120 color photographs. I always have a copy available on my “lending” shelf.
Beekeeping For Dummies
When it was recommended to me, I admit I was not keen on the idea. But when one of my mentors shared that it was the most worn and referenced book on his shelf, I reconsidered. It is complete, and it explains the many aspects of beekeeping in exacting detail. Instead of color, the photos and illustrations are primarily in black and white, but it does not make the information any less valid. The index is terrific, and it remains my primary reference guide.
For Gardeners And Nature Lovers
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden: A Natural Approach to Pest Control
As a Master Gardener, beekeeping re-ignited my efforts to improve my ability to attract and provide an abundant habitat for all pollinators without the use of harmful pesticides. This author profiles the best plants to attract these beneficial bugs and create an insect-friendly paradise. A perfect gift for the gardener in your life!
Flower Power: Establishing Pollinator Habitat
In 2008 the author started Coal Country Beeworks, helping surface mining companies in Eastern Kentucky create vast new acres of pollinator habitat. This inspiring book is a must-read for anyone interested in restoring and sustaining our planet’s diverse ecosystems.
Crafts/Projects
The Complete Bee Handbook
New in July 2020 from Dr. Dewey Caron, professor of entomology and author of Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping (the ultimate beekeeping textbook.) This colorful little book is buzzing with bee history, beekeeping basics, how to help pollinators and loads of recipes and craft projects. (I think this book reflects Dr. Caron attaining the esteemed title of Grandpa.) I heard Dr. Caron interviewed on a recent beekeeping podcast and rushed to order my copy!
The Beekeeper’s Lab
This fantastic treasure contains dozens of family-friendly science experiments, arts and craft projects and recipes that help inspire curiosity about honeybees. Is there an elementary teacher in your life? This is a perfect gift! Also available in Spanish.
Honey Crafting: From Delicious Honey Butter to Healing Salves, Projects for Your Home Straight from The Hive
The title says it all! This well-worn copy on my bookshelf is extremely “sticky” to the touch and contains more than 60 projects and recipes that use products of the hive. You don’t have to be a beekeeper to enjoy the fun this book offers!
Just Bee-Cause!
Dr. Jamoke’s Little Book of Hitherto Uncompiled Facts and Curiosities Regarding Bees
This book is filled with random and interesting facts about bees that are as quirky and unique as the title. Topics include religious beliefs, myths, history, biology, sayings, health, and beekeeping.
The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees
Non-Fiction. Take the time to read this compelling and extraordinary story about the author as a young girl with a troubled family life, who managed to find hope, wisdom and courage in her grandfather’s beekeeping.
Song of Increase: Listening to the Wisdom of Honeybees for Kinder Beekeeping and a Better World
This is a poetic and somewhat mystical telling of one woman’s relationship with her honeybees. Much of the book is written from the perspective of the bee, whispering their secrets of “Bee-ing.” Some beekeepers will understand it immediately, some will not understand it at all.
What The Bee Knows
Best known as the author of the “Mary Poppins” stories, P.L Travers was also known for her deep interest in myth. This book contains dozens of essays she penned in the previous century, reflecting on myth, symbol and story. Deep thoughts about which deep thinkers can ponder.