Let's Be Bees
CCBC Review:
The text reads, “Let’s be bees.” “Let’s buzz,” says the dialogue bubble next to a father reading to their child. “Let’s be fuzzy, buzzy bees and … Buzz!” shout the pair as their bodies are transformed into buzzing bees. The playful interaction between text and illustrations mimics the imaginative play of the parent and child reading their own copy of Let’s Be Bees. Meta? Yes, but there’s no time (or need) to contemplate when each page-turn is a compelling command to become bees, birds, trees, and more! The father and child become the wailing wind, pattering rain, and silent snow, until … “Avalanche!” The boisterous crayon-like drawings and small trim size of this book are opportune for reading in laps and performing again and again. If the story content is not enough fodder for imitation, the endpapers offer additional inspiration. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Shawn Harris
CCBC Age Recommendation: 3-7
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Fathers
Imagination/Imaginary Play
Insects (Fiction)
Diversity subject:
Brown Skin Unspecified
Publisher:
Neal Porter Books
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780823457090
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Harris