The King of Bees

Today’s gem of a book is The King of Bees by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Jim LaMarche is one of those.

A little boy.
An aunt who keeps bees.
And a deep desire to learn how to “bee speak.”

This is a beautiful blend of science and heart.

My class immediately noticed the calm, steady way Henry’s aunt teaches him. They shared how she never rushes and never panics. Patience, trust, and respect for nature became our big takeaways from this story.

Through lyrical language and rich illustrations, children learn not only how bees help humans and plants, but why protecting them truly matters.

There is an intense moment when Henry accidentally spills the bee drops and wipes them onto his suit. It could feel frightening. But what stayed with me was this: he does not panic. Because he has been taught how to respond with knowledge, not fear.

That, to me, is powerful teaching.

This is more than a story about bees.
It is a story about mentorship.
About staying calm.
About learning to listen to the world around us.