Customer Reviews

Ruby Lee The Bumble Bee: A Bee's Bit Of Wisdom

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Dawn Matheson's Ruby Lee The Bumble Bee: A Bee's Bit Of Wisdom is a thoughtful picturebook about the importance of believing in oneself. A young girl lacks self-confidence and feels she is good at nothing. Yet she learns a lesson from a wise and brightly colored bumble bee. The young girl's neighbor tells her the legend of the bumble bee: "When God made the bumble bee, it shouldn't have been able to fly, but God whispered in its ear, 'You can do it.' The bee trusted Him, and so it flew." Nicely enhanced with illustrations by Pamela Barcita, Ruby Lee The Bumble Bee is an uplifting and positive picturebook story encouraging self-confidence and self-respect.

What a wonderful gift! Dawn Matheson and Pamela Barcita have presented a beautiful treatise on the gaining of confidence. Mrs. Wagner's garden is the perfect place to learn the ways of nature, through the gifts of a loving God.
How many times in our ordinary lives have we felt we were a bumble bee? Given a task much greater than we; for we have wings far too small for our body! This book shows the possibilities for all of us; have faith and soon confidence will follow.
I highly recommend this book for the quality of its production and the beauty of its message. Dawn Matheson's story and Pamela Barcita's illustrations hold the readers attention, making each page a delight.

Readers, who enjoy Ruby Lee, may also enjoy "The Ballad of Blue Eagle." An adventure story about the animals living in Peaceful Valley and how they are protected by Blue Eagle!

Ruby Lee the Bumble Bee's story is a delightful blend of powerful, proactive character teaching and warmly beautiful illustrations. Author Dawn Matheson dares to write a purposeful story, infusing Ruby Lee with wisdom that will help young listeners overcome fear of failure and do what they know they should do.

"Well," said Ashley, "I'm not good at anything. What if I break a pot? What if I ruin her beautiful flowers? What if - ?"

Ruby Lee has little time for such fearful thoughts, and changing the young girl's focus, points out that, "Scientifically speaking, our bodies are far too big for our little wings. We shouldn't be able to fly."

But bees do fly. Bees have the courage to do what seems impossible. They trust their Creator for ability, and so can children.

Rejecting foolish words and bizarre illustrations, author Dawn Matheson and illustrator Pamela Barcita have given us a solid book that children and parents will enjoy together many times.

Dawn Matheson's Ruby Lee The Bumble Bee: A Bee's Bit of Wisdom is a lovely enchanting tale of Ruby Lee the Bumble Bee sharing with her new young friend, Ashley, how to conquer her fear with courage and faith through Ruby Lee's example. Children of all ages and their parents will enjoy this marvelous tale through the wonders of Dawn Matheson's lovely story and rich illustrations by Pamela Barcita.
Madeline Frank,Ph.D. author of The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music and Musical Notes On Math, teaching fractions and decimals through the rhythm of music. www.madelinefrankviola.com

is a book of discovery. For a child, it holds the delights of an afternoon in Mrs. Wagner's garden of flowers and the small creatures that dwell in a place of nature. A young girl Ashley shares her pleasure with her friend and a wise bumblebee named Ruby Lee who, much to Ashley's surprise, talks to her. Mrs. Wagner asks Ashley to help her by potting some flowers for her patio, but Ashley is afraid she will do it wrong. Left with her uncertainties, Ruby Lee enters her world and convinces her "Of course you can pot those flowers for Mrs. Wagner. You are a talented and bright young lady." Taking Ruby Lee's advice, Ashley finishes the job and realizes how good it feels to know "She had done it!". When Mrs. Wagner returns to the patio, she is very pleased with Ashley's efforts and tells her that by believing in herself, she can do anything
Author Dawn Matheson has written a stunning children's book with illustrations by Pamela Barcita that offer surprises on every page. Its message is gently but simply told. A glossary defines in children's language, any words that might not be in their vocabulary. Page numbers for a parent's easy reference lists Ruby Lee's bits of wisdom.This book is meant for a parent to read aloud to a child,pointing out the many details of each illustration or for a child to browse through,enjoying not only the busy pictures,but the warm story of a little girl and a wise bumblebee. Patricia Linder, author: Row, Row,Row Your Boat and The Lady and the Tiger.

I work in a children's library and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ruby Lee has beautiful illustrations and a story line that keeps the children's attention as well as inspires them to "believe in themselves". It is a wonderful spring board for discussion in believing in yourself and telling yourself "you can do it!" I have always liked fun books that also give a message children can relate to, and this is one of them.

Judy Snider

This book would be worth buying for the illustrations alone -- they are that delightful. The story is set in an extensive flower garden, and the illustrator doesn't miss any opportunity to make the pictures as inventive, fun and involving as possible. But the tale is also quite engaging. A young girl, given a task she thinks is impossible, finds unexpected support from a bumble bee, whose down-to-earth wisdom and encouragement help her to meet the challenge successfully and learn a valuable lesson in the process. The author and illustrator seem to have teamed up to broaden young readers' knowledge of growing things, as the plants and shrubs depicted are unusual and very colorful. Readers will also learn some fascinating facts about bumble bees, and the "Flight of the Bumble Bee" diagram is just priceless. Another nice point is that there are "life lessons" included in the back of the book, as well as a glossary for terms that might be unfamiliar. There's no question, Ruby Lee is a charmer.

Many people dismiss the humble bumble bee without considering its remarkable accomplishment: its ability to fly despite having bodies too big for their wings! Wisely, Ashley listened to Ruby Lee, the very wise bumble bee as she faced a task she thought was daunting.

When Mrs. Wagner asked Ashley to plant flowers, Ashley was afraid her efforts would not be good enough. Then she heard Ruby Lee whispering to her from the butterfly bush. Ruby Lee told Ashley to `bee-lieve' in herself and she could accomplish anything. Following Ruby Lee's example, Ashley courageous faced her challenge-and succeeded.

Ruby Lee's heartwarming wisdom is confidence and self-esteem building for all children. The beautiful and expressive language is complimented by fantastic illustrations that take the reader directly into Mrs. Wagner's wonderful garden.

Those who enjoyed "Ruby Lee" might also enjoy "Families are Forever", another picture book that empowers young children as they navigate their unique place in the world. Young Rain learns the true meaning of family in wonderful book about celebrating and respecting all people and families. Books like "Families are Forever" and Ruby Lee celebrate what it is to be human and how we can change the world-if we reach out and grasp opportunities.

Ruby Lee is a precious story that includes enchanting illustrations. A simple and powerful story, Ruby Lee will fill the fertile mind of any little girl with hope, confidence and faith. As a family counselor I know how essential it is to give our children a steady diet of encouragement--this book provides a healthy dose of encouragement and more!

Kelly Nault - Author of "When You're About To Go Off The Deep End, Don't Take Your Kids With You"