The Life and Times of the Honeybee [Paperback]

Charles Micucci (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This witty and informative salute to the honeybee uses clear, lively text and detailed full-color illustrations to present a wide range of interesting, and sometimes amusing, facts about the life cycle, work, and history of one of the world's most useful insects.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?Information about honeybees has never been more interesting. As in Micucci's The Life and Times of the Apple (Orchard, 1992), text and illustrations perfectly complement one another in a concise presentation of facts about the insects both within and outside the hive. Their physical characteristics, division of labor, and role in pollination are fully described. Additional fascinating facts about a bee's year-round activities, the job of the beekeeper, the many products that contain beeswax and other natural products from the hive, and ways honey has been used throughout history are included. Excellent organization with attention to clear labeling of diagrams and correct juxtaposition of text and illustrations combine with a direct writing style that makes the material easy to understand. Even the "tail-wagging dance" that directs bees to flower locations is simple to follow. The author's naturalistic watercolors are beautifully rendered in soft hues that reflect the true colorations, and a whimsical little bee in glasses appears periodically to lend a touch of humor. There is no index, but a table of contents leads to specific topics. A book that is right on target for young readers, and one that would be a fine companion to photographed titles such as Barrie Watts's Honeybee (Silver Burdett, 1990).?Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. Every bit as nicely designed and packed with information as The Life and Times of the Apple (1992), this book reminds us that original artwork can be more precise and just as spectacular as photographs in children's nonfiction: here, for example, there's a large, striking, double-page-spread illustration of a worker bee guaranteed to make kids gasp. Most of the drawings, however, are small, finely detailed, and many to a page. Along with reinforcing and expanding upon the text, they lighten the information load--a bespectacled cartoon bee adds a bit of comedy by flitting from page to page among his more realistically drawn relatives. Each nicely organized double-page spread deals with a different aspect of the honeybee variety we know best (Micucci is not concerned with African or Africanized bees). The information, which appears in concise, clearly written blocks of text, covers everything from distribution, reproduction, behavior, and honey manufacture to the honeybee's niche in history. A solid, fascinating treasure trove of bee stuff, as enriching to the mind as it is pleasing to the eye, Micucci's book is a wonderful example of how good children's nonfiction can really be. Stephanie Zvirin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039586139X
• ISBN-13: 978-0395861394
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders > Nonfiction

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Busy Bees, March 26, 2006

By 

Bonita Brinamen "mistress of all trades" (Woodbridge, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Life and Times of the Honeybee (Paperback)

I teach First Grade and we are working on a unit on bees. This book has beautiful illustrations and all anyone would want to know about bees. It also tells about the various types of honey and bees. There is an diagram of a beekeeper in his/her protective clothes. This book has helped make my class wild about bees.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Less than I expected, December 31, 2009

By 

Expat Bookworm (Vienna, Austria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life and Times of the Honeybee (Paperback)

My grandsons wanted to know how bees made their hives. This appeared to be the most comprehensive book for young children available, so I ordered it but was disappointed to find that the one thing it did not explain was how beehives are created in the first place! It's an American book (temperature in F,distance in yards, types of honey common only in the US) which I don't believe was mentioned, but doesn't really matter. The cover is the most attractive part of the book which all in all failed to meet my expectations.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, September 16, 2011

By 

Constanza Palacios "green thumb" (NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Life and Times of the Honeybee (Paperback)

The book gives a very informative easy to read life of the bees.It's and easy to read must read book to help us understand the importance of the pollinators in our lives.