Prepared Beginnings

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BIPOC Children & Bees

I have a child that has an extreme fear of bees, an unseemingly irrational and nearly hysterical fear. And unfortunately or fortunately for him, there are beehives in sight from our dining room table. The hives are not ours, but we claim them from across the street. We watch the beekeepers as they move calmly in their white suits, puffing smoke and slowly removing frames from the hives. On days when we’re feeling especially brave we watch from the driveway, as bees hum around the hives and the beekeepers dressed like astronauts seem to cast a spell on the bees.

 

In hopes that one day my son will not be terrified of bees, I collected books about bees and their delicious honey, because knowledge is power. Right?

 

So far, we haven’t made a ton of progress, but we have enjoyed reading these sweet tales. Our favorite Bee Book at the moment is Bee Love (can be hard) by Alan Page and Kamie Page. If you haven’t heard of this father/daughter writing duo, you are truly missing out! My mom introduced us to Alan and his perfectly pointy impossibly perpendicular pinky a few years ago and we’ve been devouring their books ever since.

 

But back to the bees. I would be lying if I said that bees don’t scare me. I too would like to indulge in an irrational fear but because I have 3 small children that need me to be a somewhat stoic figure, I must take deep, calming breaths when I too come face to face with this inch long powerhouse insect. I’m doing better and I dream of one day being brave enough to have beehives of our own…



Bee Book Collage

1.     The Thing about Bees a love letter by Shabazz Larkin, Illustrated by Shabazz Larkin

2.     Bee Love (can be hard) by Alan Page and Kamie Page

3.     Juma and the Honey Guide an African Story by Robin Bernard, Illustrated by Nneka Bennet

4.     The Best Beekeeper of Lalibela A tale from Africa by Cristina Kessler, Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins

5.     These bees count by Alison Formento, Illustrated by Sarah Snow

6.     Honey…Honey…Lion a story from Africa by Jan Brett, Illustrated by Jan Brett

7. If Bees Disappeared by Lily Williams, Illustrated by Lily Williams

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