Give Bees a Chance
on Goodreads (769)
What’s inside...
Give Bees a Chance is a book by Bethany Barton that highlights the importance of bees in the world. Through interactive cartoon-style illustrations and a humorous narrator, the book provides facts about how bees contribute to the ecosystem by making honey and helping plants grow fruits and vegetables. It also addresses common fears about bees and encourages appreciation and protection of these essential creatures, especially since they are now on the endangered animals list. From the author-illustrator of Children's Choice Book Award Winner I'm Trying to Love Spiders: a plea to please give bees a chance! The book is for anyone who doesn't quite appreciate how extra special and important bees are to the world, and even to humankind! Besides making yummy honey, they help plants grow fruits and vegetables. Most bees wouldn't hurt a fly (unless it was in self-defense!). With bees officially on the endangered animals list, it's more important now than ever to get on board with our flying, honey-making friends!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the world would be like without bees?
How do bees help the plants and flowers we see around us?
Can you name some ways we can help protect bees in our environment?
Why do you think bees are important after reading this book?
What was your favorite fact about bees from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about bees, whether they're fascinated or fearful, and discuss those feelings together.
Use real-world examples of plants and flowers in your own garden or community to connect the story to tangible elements around them.
Suggest creating a small bee-friendly area in your garden or on your balcony to practically apply the lessons learned from the book.
After reading, consider visiting a local farm or botanical garden to see bees in action, reinforcing the book’s messages.
Compliment your child on their understanding and discuss how they can share this new knowledge about bees with friends or classmates.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of bees to the ecosystem
Explanation: Through engaging illustrations and text, 'Give Bees a Chance' explains how bees pollinate plants and why they are crucial for food production.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and help protect local bees by planting bee-friendly flowers or by understanding not to fear or harm bees when they encounter them outdoors.
Example Lesson: Overcoming fears through knowledge
Explanation: The main character starts off fearful of bees but gradually learns about their behavior and importance, which helps him overcome his fear.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to learn more about things they are afraid of, whether it's insects, the dark, or trying new activities, to reduce their fears through understanding.
Example Lesson: Importance of environmental conservation
Explanation: The book highlights how the decline of bees affects the entire planet and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts.
Real-World Application: Children can be involved in local conservation projects or practices at home like recycling or saving water, helping them understand their role in protecting the environment.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts with compassion
Explanation: Through the interactions between the characters, the story teaches readers to resolve conflicts by understanding and discussing fears rather than confrontation.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to approach conflicts with empathy, promoting peaceful and constructive resolutions among siblings, friends, and classmates.