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The Ballad of Levi Locust
Levi Locust, a musical bug with a passion for playing his banjo and singing country songs, embarks on a heartfelt journey in Janice Hostetter’s The Ballad of Levi Locust. Despite his enthusiasm, Levi struggles to find an audience that appreciates his music, leaving him feeling dejected and alone. Determined to find a place where he and his music belong, Levi continues his arduous quest for acceptance and peace.
Hostetter’s story is a beautifully written, rhyming narrative that captures the essence of perseverance and hope. The text flows effortlessly, making it an enjoyable read-aloud experience. As Levi encounters numerous challenges on his journey, readers are drawn into his world, rooting for him at every step.
Akjima Monnaf’s vibrant and full-of-life illustrations perfectly complement the charm and warmth of the story. Each page is a visual delight, adding depth and fun to Levi’s adventure. At its core, Levi’s story is a powerful testament to determination and friendship. The narrative’s compact size belies its profound message, which resonates deeply as Levi’s journey concludes with a brilliant and heartwarming resolution. This tale of a lone bug’s quest for belonging is both personal and universal, celebrating the indomitable spirit of pursuing one’s passion against all odds.
The Ballad of Levi Locust, by Janice Hostetter, has a genuine, heartfelt message. It’s a story that touches the heart and reminds us all of the importance of perseverance. This delightful children’s book is suitable for readers of all ages. Whether read aloud at home or shared in a group setting, Levi’s incredible journey offers fun and inspiration for everyone.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0D38FFC4Y
Grow in Self-Esteem and Kindness
Bee-Coming Strong follows a free-spirited bee with a corkscrew antenna and glasses, which make her feel self-conscious in her hive who learns valuable lessons in self-confidence. What was the inspiration for your story?
The idea of the story originally came to me while I was living on Palomar Mountain. I noticed that children were often scared of bees that would come to drink at the little water fountain in the back of the restaurant where I worked. They would scream and run away. My experience was so different. When I would meditate outside, these little creatures would regularly walk around on the palms of my hands, exploring in a sweet and ticklish way. I thought I might one day write a Dr. Seuss-type book to help children become more curious about bees.
After I had to retire early due to a rare autoimmune disease and once Covid had started, I remembered the idea of the book and reached out to a few friends of mine who were therapists and caregivers. I asked them what children were dealing with these days and the answers I received were all very similar — and heartbreaking. They spoke of severe anxiety, bullying, poor self-esteem issues, and fear of change. I then knew I couldn’t write a cute little book but had to find a way of addressing these issues or give up the project entirely.
Nature was a haven for me during a troubled childhood which gave me a life-long appreciation of its wonder and healing power. My love for nature and my nearly 40 years of studying with a yoga master form the basis of Bee-Coming Strong. By combining my experience and knowledge of the two, my deepest desire is that it enables many children to gain confidence, kindness, and connection to one another and the natural world.
The art in this book is fantastic and really brings the character of Jazianzza to life. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Akiko Martinache?
Working with Akiko was truly wonderful. She is a good friend of my Indian astronomer friend, Garima Singh. One day Garima was walking with Akiko in Nice, France, when they saw some bees flying around a bouquet at an outdoor restaurant. Garima remembered that I had started writing the book and was trying to find an illustrator, and that was the beginning!
Akiko and I worked back and forth on every illustration until we were both satisfied with the outcome. Her patience and skill made it a joy to work with her. Akiko’s website is: https://akikomartinache.com/.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wrote the book on several levels; I wanted to afford children some simple yoga breathing techniques to become calm, and thus grow in self-esteem and kindness. I also wanted to provide enough facts about bees to inspire children to want to know more about not only bees but other aspects of nature.
In addition, at times little Jazianzza notices things like the difference in the way her wings work compared to the flapping of her new friend Lydah Butter Fly. I am hoping that this will inspire children to become more inquisitive about life around them. Paying attention to the details of nature can be enchanting. Hopefully, it will reduce their inclination to bury themselves in their devices. As a child growing up, I didn’t have that kind of distraction. Research is showing how destructive it can be to the welfare of our children, as well as ourselves.
I also alluded to the challenge presented by climate change and habitat loss for our pollinators. I’m hoping that children becoming more interested in bees and other wildlife at a young age will help them grow into young adults who will want to protect nature and be better stewards of it than the previous generations. I feel this is crucial to the survival of our planet.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your young readers expect in the next story?
Yes, it does seem that another book is emerging, this time focused on a Monarch caterpillar who has a lot of fears of change and has very poor self-esteem. Jazianzza gets a chance to teach him all the lessons she has learned from the queen bee, MamaQueenzieBee. When-oh-when will it come out? Hopefully next year! Readers can find more information about my books and sign up for my monthly newsletter at https://anandamayibaker.com.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
She’s got a corkscrew antenna and must wear big glasses. Will she always feel awkward in her hive? Will the wisdom of MamaQueenzieBee and her friend Tree be able to help her know that she is important just as she is, or will she forever have a sense that she is out of place?
A honey bee learns to navigate bullies, build self-confidence, and foster inner peace in this illustrated children’s book.
Jazianzza Azzaza Buzzabee is a young honey bee who cares for all creatures, including her new butterfly friend, Lydah, who recently had a scare after being chased by a hornet. Jazianzza is concerned, as is the rest of her hive, with the dwindling number of flowers to drink from and must cope with the bullying ways of her sister Sisizza and her gang. But luckily, MamaQueenzieBee (aka MamaQB) is there to help Jazianzza learn new ways to handle stress from without and within. MamaQB suggests that, just as bees shake off water from their wings, so should Jazianzza “shake off any sadness you feel. Shake off anything that isn’t you. Just because they’re not always happy doesn’t mean you should be the same way. Be Jazianzza in your own beautiful way.” The young bee later learns breathing techniques via a pollen ball placed on her stomach in order to emphasize the slow in-and-out breaths used to calm down. Everything Jazianzza discovers comes into play when she unexpectedly faces a hornets’ nest and must save her hive. Baker’s tale provides a compelling introduction to relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation—with readers being encouraged to try Jazianzza’s methods themselves—as well as different ways to approach bullying and learning to believe in yourself. The hero’s childlike wonder is adorable (and pairs well with the cartoonlike color illustrations by Martinache) and will spark a giggle or two, as when she’s remembering Lydah’s transformation into a butterfly: “She said that first she was an egg, and then a cat or a pillow or something like that, and she walked on the ground with a whole lot of legs!” This entertaining story delivers an engaging platform for adults to discuss meaningful issues with young audiences.
Saving Endangered Insects
Livy Little Honey Bee is the story of a honeybee who is not afraid to be herself despite the challenges she faces from the others in her hive. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
One of my granddaughters, Olivia (nicknamed Livy), who was four, expressed some fear one day when we were out in the garden picking flowers, that a honeybee would sting her. When I explained that bees won’t sting people unless they feel threatened and that they have a job to do gathering nectar and pollen, she was fascinated. As Livy has an independent streak in her, and definitely sings to her own tune, whether it’s what she wears or what books she likes to have read to her, I combined her personality with the science of honeybees.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I only write books for young readers that focus on animals or insects that are threatened or on the verge of extinction so one idea I wanted to share in Livy Little Honey Bee was that bees are very important to our environment as pollinators(The Queen Bee says “We need the flowers and the flowers need us”.) And, while I don’t say it directly, bees are at risk due to insecticides. Hopefully if children become more interested in the life and work of honey bees, they will become advocates for their protection. I also wanted to encourage young readers to believe in themselves even if it means possibly not blending in with the crowd. Livy loves to live in the moment, yet also promises the queen she will be a responsible citizen and, to me, that is an important message to reinforce to all young children.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with Mira Hirabayashi?
I am lucky to find extremely talented young artists from RISD. Mira was eager to illustrate the book once she read the text, and we worked together via zoom for about a year to get each illustration just right. We’d meet every two weeks or so and she’d show me her progress. Then when we were done, we turned it over to the designer who got it ready to go to the publisher’s printer. I can’t think of any issues we had except in the beginning getting Livy’s face just right and figuring out how to create the hive….which is, in my opinion, the best illustration in the book.
Are you currently working on any other children’s books? When can fans expect to see your next book released?
I have two more books written and currently being illustrated: One is Sophie, the Monarch Butterfly, Mission to Mexico. It is about a little butterfly, Sophie, who ends up leading a migration of hundreds of monarchs south to Mexico for the winter. Sophie is the name of another of my granddaughters. And of course, Monarch Butterflies are endangered. Linda Chambers, a friend, is illustrating that one. The other book is Connor, the Red Panda. This book is being illustrated by another RISD student, Joyce Guo. It’s about two Red Pandas and a Pangolin who must leave their habitat due to many dangers from man and climate warming and cross the mountains to safety at an animal sanctuary. Red Pandas and Pangolins are also extremely endangered. And as always, all royalties from these books are donated to the appropriate organizations dedicated to saving the animals or insects.
Author Links: Website | Instagram
For children of all ages, Livy Little Honey Bee intends to explore the courage and self-confidence it takes to stand up for who you are as well as the nature of honey bees and the critical contribution they make to our environment through pollination of earth’s flowering plants.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book is donated to the Pollinator Partnership, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other organizations dedicated to preserving the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education and research.
Livy Little Honey Bee
Celia Straus’s Livy Little Honey Bee is an enchanting children’s book that delivers a vibrant celebration of individuality and self-expression through its colorful illustrations. This narrative, woven with delightful rhymes, follows the journey of Livy, a spirited bee whose zest for life is as infectious as her love for the beauty of nature. Her days are spent in pursuit of nectar, but unlike her peers, Livy infuses her tasks with joy and playfulness, turning work into an exhilarating adventure.
As the plot unfolds, readers will discover the tension between conformity and creativity. Livy’s non-traditional approach to her responsibilities is met with skepticism by her peers, leading to an engaging storyline that gently guides young readers to understand the delicate balance between personal freedom and communal obligations.
The book’s illustrations are a feast for the eyes, with warm hues that leap off the page, drawing children into Livy’s world. Each image is crafted to complement the story’s upbeat tone, making the experience of reading not only educational but also visually stimulating.
Livy Little Honey Bee offers an array of thoughtful themes, from celebrating the courage it takes to be authentic to embracing one’s passion in all aspects of life. It’s a narrative that encourages young minds to think independently, fostering analytical skills that will serve them in all areas of life.
While I found the storyline thoroughly engaging, there’s an element of complexity as Livy learns to balance her innovative spirit with her responsibilities. I believe younger readers might need additional guidance to grasp this nuance. However, children who revel in imaginative tales and those who are beginning to explore their own place in the world will find much to love in Livy’s journey.
Livy Little Honey Bee is a charming and insightful read that encourages children to find and revel in their unique voice. It underscores the vital message that confidence in one’s self and one’s feelings is a gift to be nurtured and cherished.
All author proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to organizations dedicated to preserving the health of pollinators critical to food and ecosystems.
Pages: 25 | ISBN : 978-1923020016
What Are Bees Good For, Anyway?
Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting world of What Are Bees Good For, Anyway? This delightful and enlightening children’s book invites young readers on an educational odyssey into the realm of bees and their profound impact on our ecosystem. Meet Bennie, a young boy with a curious aversion to bees, who embarks on a incredible journey guided by his beekeeping aunt. What unfolds is a revelation about the vital role bees play in sustaining our world, contributing to our food supply, and ensuring the very air we breathe.
Within the pages of Nicole Frankel’s children’s book, vivid and vibrant illustrations transport readers into Bennie’s world as he embarks on a captivating exploration of the multifaceted world of bees. This story imparts essential knowledge, highlighting the importance of bees and their remarkable purpose in our environment. I was deeply moved by the author’s thoughtful inclusion of the fact that bees sting only when they feel threatened, offering a valuable lesson in compassion and understanding. Moreover, the creative portrayal of bees as friendly, relatable creatures—combing their hair and the queen bee adorned with a regal crown—makes the subject matter approachable and endearing to young readers.
What Are Bees Good For, Anyway?, by Nicole Frankel, strikes a harmonious balance between education and entertainment, making it a must-read for classrooms and bedtime alike. It’s an engaging, fun, and informative picture book that not only broadens young minds but also encourages a newfound appreciation for these tiny yet mighty pollinators. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge and a joyous celebration of the incredible world of bees.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0BVQ16R1V
