Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.