I thought I had read every bee book out there at this point but I missed this one (well, I'm reading it now)
Clan Apis by Jay Hosler.
The copy I have is copyright 2000 but the author's website says it won the Xeric Award in 1998. I can't believe it has escaped my attention this long!! It is a "graphic novel" (ie: modern day comic book) all about honeybees. It is geared towards 9-12 year olds and so far I think it is absolutely fabulous. The story follows a new bee from having her cell capped through her life including swarming, collecting pollen, honey etc. and has a little "appendix" that has some little blurbs of detail that didn't fit into the story.
I hope some of you will check it out for your kids or to use as a teaching tool. The graphics are really nicely done and I can think of several kids I know who will read this even though they may not pick up a "typical" book.
The author has a website with additional educational materials at www.jayhosler.com/clanapis.html
Would love to know if any of you are familiar with the book and/or how kids you know reacted to it?
- Jess
All I can add is the DVD City of Bees