Review: beehive by Jorey Hurley

beehive

by Jorey Hurley

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 3 to 7

COMING...

JANUARY 7th, 2020!!!

Acclaimed author Jorey Hurley shows us how bees make and store honey in this bold and graphic picture book that includes informative backmatter on the process.

With just one word on each page and the vivid illustrations Jorey Hurley is known for, Beehive showcases the cycle of bees making honey. Detailed backmatter further explains this fascinating natural process.

MY TIDBITS

The life of a bee and everything they do becomes clear in a simple, understandable way.

Young listeners will learn all about bees in this book and gain a greater appreciation for everything these little insects do. The text is kept to the bare minimum of a single word on each two-page spread, for example: collect or lay. From there, the illustrations take over. Each action unfolds and makes it clear exactly what a bee does. Sometimes, they collect pollen. Other times, they lay eggs. And still other moments, they can be found guarding the hive. To add to the fun, more information and details are offered at the end of the book, which older listeners can enjoy.

The illustrations are fairly simple and yet, allow the various activities to come across clearly. By placing a single word first, the listener has an idea of what to expect before grabbing the exact meaning in the illustration itself. Especially younger listeners aren't bogged down by lots of text, but still get the basics on what bees do and how the life of a bee is. Of course, there aren't many details, but rather, this approach opens up for questions and discussions. The information at the back holds more detailed facts, which allows readers (and listeners) who are more interested in bees to learn a bit more.

It's simple and does a great job a bringing across the activities of bees and beehives in a way which won't bore listeners and still teaches them something along the way.