Bee Boy: Clash of the Killer Queens

Bee Boy: Clash of the Killer Queens

By Author / Illustrator

Tony De Saulles

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

7+

Publisher

Oxford University Press

ISBN

9780192763877

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-02-2018

Synopsis

Half BEE. Half BOY. Melvin Meadly is . . . BEE BOY. As a bee, Mel is ready to defend his hive against all enemies taking on killer wasps, terrifying hawkmoths, and battling queen bees. But as a boy, has he got what it takes to protect his bees (and himself) against the greatest menace of all Nasty Norman Crudwell?The highly entertaining story of an unlikely superhero, full of fantastic facts, and illustrated in black and yellow!

Reviews

Sam

Melvin Meadly doesn't have many friends, most of the other children at school don't like the same things Melvin does, they just don't get him! Melvin spends most of his time looking after his bees with his next-door neighbour Dan, or at least he did before Dan moved away and now the bees are the sole responsibility of Melvin. Melvin Meadly lives with his Mum at the top of a block of flats and rather than keep his bees in a hive at the bottom of the garden, as most bee-keepers would, Melvin's hive is on the roof of the Meadow towers, the block of flats where Melvin lives. When Melvin has to stand up in front of the whole school and tell them all about his bees, the other children fail to understand the value of his buzzing collection. Some even think he should 'get rid of the bees', thinking only of their potentially painful sting. In a puff of smoke Melvin takes on the role of 'Bee Boy', superhero and defender of the hive. This story is one boy's attempt to convince his local community of the benefit of bees, while defending the Queen Bee and her workers from other predatory insects. A fascinating work of fiction, packed with interesting facts about bees and bee-keeping. True to the bee and its distinctive colouring, this book is published in black, white and yellow and written and illustrated in a style similar to many current popular, 'journal'-style works of fiction. This would undoubtedly make a enjoyable tale for many lower Key Stage 2 children. It's published format makes this book appear, at first glance, an easy read, however the 'bee speech', 'Zum cells full of pollen! Zum wizz honey! And zum wiz babeez!' may distract a less confident young reader. A great book to accompany a class topic on mini-beasts.

Suggested Reading Age 7+

 

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