Description
In The Bee Who Spoke, we are introduced to Belle, an adventurous and inquisitive eleven-year-old girl who lives in Paris. For her summer vacation, she travels with her family to the Ardeche countryside to visit her grandparents. When she arrives she is given a bicycle so that she may explore the glorious outdoors. Belle sets out riding and, being bold and ever curious, ventures farther and farther from her grandparent’s house. Suddenly, disaster strikes: Belle falls from her bicycle and realizes that she is lost. Fortunately, she is found and befriended by a talking bee, who, while guiding Belle safely back to her grandparent’s house, introduces her to the plants and animals that are around her and calmly and wisely describes the beauty that can be found in nature. Belle sees the world with fresh eyes and knows that she will never see the environment around her in the same way. With its engaging story, beautiful illustrations, and environmental theme, the story of Belle and the Bee will enchant and entertain young readers and spur their curiosity about nature.
Reviews
Gibbon's retro illustrations are full of 1960s cheer…Fetching images.
— Publishers Weekly
A unique story that teaches readers to appreciate the natural world around them.
— Smart Books for Smart Kids
The text, tone, illustrations and a song by woodland creatures are all reminiscent of Golden Books. However, one of [the] strongest messages is all 21st-century: Human beings need bee pollination for many of their favorite foods…This book's likable French protagonist makes its environmentalist message go down easy.
— Kirkus Reviews
Readers will delight in the beauty of the story, inspiring children between… to look beyond what they see at first glance and to appreciate the world around them.
— New York Journal of Books
A charming story.
— Midwest Book Review
When Belle, a scrappy, inquisitive, and oh so chic Parisian tween—(love the striped pullover and the perky red neckerchief, illustrated by a contributor to The New Yorker and Vogue), is transported to a place that transforms her, all bets are off.
— Centerforfiction.org
Contributors
Al MacCuish
Author
Al MacCuish is the co-founder of Sunshine Ltd, a creative entertainment production company based in London and Los Angeles. His previous books include Operation Alphabet.
Rebecca Gibbon
Illustrated By
Rebecca Gibbon’s illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker, Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal. Previous books that she has illustrated include Players in Pigtails and Elizabeth Leads the Way.
