Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane - a Smithsonian's Backyard Book (Mini book) [Hardcover]

Laura Gates Galvin (Author), Kristin Kest (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Smithsonian's Backyard

In a backyard in southern New England, Bumblebee emerges from her winter hibernation and soon her nest is a flurry of activity. Follow Bumblebee and her young as they collect nectar while buzzing around a New England backyard. Reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution for accuracy, Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane is a fun and informative story with beautifully detailed illustrations.Watch your children have a blast reading and learning about the animals that live in an American backyard!



Book Features:
- An informative storyline and colorful illustrations
- 32 pages
- Appropriate for ages 3-9
- Mini book dimensions: 5 7/8 x 4 3/4 inches

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-This attractive fictional account follows the life of a queen bumblebee, from the day she awakens from hibernation in spring and seeks a nesting place to summer's end when she crawls underground to escape the cold of winter. Bumblebee's diet, her nest-building and nectar-gathering techniques, and the growth of the bee colony are described in both the text and in the handsome, realistically rendered, double-page paintings that feature larger-than-life insects and flowers. This simple nature lesson, used in a storytime setting, could be followed up with a photo-essay on the bumblebee and a trek outdoors to observe some of these fascinating insects in action.-Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

Attractive --School Library Journal

Excellent --Benjamin Franklin Awards

Fascinating --Chicago Parent Magazine

Excellent --Benjamin Franklin Awards

Fascinating --Chicago Parent Magazine

Excellent --Benjamin Franklin Awards

Fascinating --Chicago Parent Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Soundprint; Micro (small) hardcover book edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156899821X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568998213
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura Gates Galvin has worked in children's book publishing as an editor and author for over 25 years. She has written over 75 published books, including award-winning titles for the Smithsonian Institution, African Wildlife Foundation, Sesame Workshop, Disney and WGBH.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, elegant, accurate, very highly recommended!, August 16, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane - a Smithsonian's Backyard Book (Hardcover)

The latest addition to the "Smithsonian's Backyard" series of nature books for young readers, Laura Gates Galvin's Bumblebee At Apple Tree Lane is the charming and informative story of a bumblebee awakening from a winter-long hibernation in the backyard of the stone-and-wood cottage on Apple Tree Lane. She works hard during the spring and summer cleaning the nest, laying eggs, providing food for the larvae, etc. In the fall the young queens hibernate underground and the following spring the life cycle of the bumblebee colony begins all over. This accurate presentation on the life cycle of the bumblebee is superbly illustrated in full shining color with the vividly accurate artistry of Kristin Kest. This outstanding wildlife storybook is also available with a companion read-along audiocassette tape and realistically designed stuffed animal toy in a multimedia, interactive presentation for those who would prefer more than this simple, elegant, very highly recommended picturebook.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightfully pretty science book for grade school, March 23, 2011

By 

Assoc For Natural Psych "world of nature" (Newark, NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane - a Smithsonian's Backyard Book (Paperback)

Lovely artistry in this science book for grade schoolers. The colors are brilliant and eye-catching, realistic yet artistic. The book is good for K through 5. However, I read the book in middle school 8th grade, where it is also appropriate, because children and teens will both learn much of details about bumble bees, their lives and life cycle. Even adults who wish to learn about this little wonder of nature will learn in a capsulated manner that will fill in details and make deep visual impressions on their visual cortex of the inner workings of bumble bees.

Some of the illustrations are close-ups inside the nest, how a bee defends itself from invading ants. It is better than a movie in some respects, very strong pictures, simple, clear. There is a small glossary also.

A good nature/science picture book for K to middle school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations, March 23, 2010

By 

C. Rinehart (Pennslyvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane - a Smithsonian's Backyard Book (Paperback)

This book is an excellent learning tool full of beautiful, accurate illustrations bursting with eye catching color. I would recommend any book illustrated by Kristen Kest. Her work outshines other illustrators in this series, as well as others, for the quality of the artwork and the level of accurate attention to detail.