The Beeman

The Beeman was written by Laurie Krebs and illustrated by Valeria Cis. It's a fun, colorful and educational book that will appeal to many children but maybe especially to those interested in nature.

The review on the Barefoot Books site says:

"Told from the viewpoint of a child whose Grandpa is a beekeeper, this rhyming text offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the behavior of bees, including: where they live, how honey is made, and what a beekeeper does. Children will love learning about the vital role of bees in the ecosystem, and will be delighted to find a delicious muffin recipe on the final page!"


I love this poem by Aileen Fisher that is used in  the beginning of book. It sets the tone for what is to come.

Bees
There wouldn't be sunflowers,
Wouldn't be peas,
Wouldn't be apples on apple trees,
If it weren't for fuzzy old,
Buzzy old bees
Dusting pollen from their knees.
-- Aileen Fisher

The Beeman

 Laurie Krebs takes the complex subject of beekeeping and using rhyme, rhythm and wit, manages to simplify it just enough for it to fascinate the youngest and oldest reader. 
 If you listen closely, you'll notice that the wording and rhythm of the book are modeled on The House That Jack Built:

 “Here is his jacket, / with zippered up hood / that covers his face / just the way that it should / when he visits his hives as / the Beeman.”

And how did the author learn about beekeeping? Well, it seems that Laurie Krebs' husband, Bill, became known in their community as the "Beeman" because he kept bees for many years.

After reading The Beeman, I'm sure that you and your child/ren will want to learn more about bees.
I've listed a variety of activities and links as well as 7 songs/fingerplays about bees. (Who knew there were so many?) Oh, and there's a wonderful video at the end of the blog on how to make Honeycomb Candy! Yum!!

Bees, Flowers, and Pollination | kidsgardening.org
This site explains the relationship of bees and flowers and why they are important to each other

Find videos of bees in flight, then put on "Flight of the Bumblebee" (written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan) and have children pretend they are bees.

Make a Bumblebee Cup Puppet

Baby Bumblebee
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
(Cup hands together as if holding bee)
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
'Cause I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Buzzy wuzzy wuzzy wuzzy
Ouch! It stung me!
(Shake hands as if just stung)

The Beehive
Here is the beehive (show closed fist)
where are the bees? (Pretend to search)
Hidden away where nobody sees. (Pretend to hide)
Soon they come creeping out of the hive
one, two, three, four, five. (Count on fingers)
Bzzzzzzzzzz! (Fly away)

Bee
Busy little buzzing bee
Buzzing round the apple tree
Busy little buzzing bee
Where DO you get your energy,
Bumble Bee?

Five Little Bees
One little bee blew and flew.
He met a friend, and that made two.
Two little bees, busy as could be--
Along came another and that made three.
Three little bees, wanted one more,
Found one soon and that made four.
Four little bees, going to the hive.
Spied their little brother, and that made five.
Five little bees working every hour--
Buzz away, bees, and find another flower.


Bug Parts
(sung to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes)

Head, thorax, abdomen, six legs
(motions: touch head, chest, and stomach, then hold up 3 fingers on each hand)
Head, thorax, abdomen, six legs
(repeat motions)
Eyes and mouth and antennae
(motions: point to eyes, mouth and make antenna with fingers)
Head, thorax, abdomen, six legs!
(repeat first motions)

Buzzing Bumblebees
6 buzzing bumblebees
Flying around the hive
One buzzes off and that leaves 5.

5 buzzing bumblebees
Flying near my door,
1 buzzes off and that leaves 4

4 buzzing bumblebees
Flying around a tree,
1 busses off and that leaves 3

3 buzzing bumblebees
In the sky so blue
1 buzzes of and that leaves 2

2 buzzing bumblebees
Flying by the sun
1 buzzes off and that leaves 1

1 buzzing bumblebee
Looking for some fun
It buzzes off and that leaves none


Do you like to Buzz? Or how to tell if you're a Bee
(Sung to tune of "Do your ears hang low")

Do you like to buzz?
Are you covered all in fuzz?
Do you call a hive a home
In the garden where you roam?
Do you know how to make honey?
Are your stripes a little funny?
Do you like to buzz?



Learn how to make Honeycomb Candy