Bessie's Bees: A story about new experiences with a neurodiverse child at its heart

By Author / Illustrator

Ana Gomez, George Kirk

Genre

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Age range(s)

Publisher

Templar Books

ISBN

9781800786691

Format

Hardback

Published

03-07-2025

Synopsis

An uplifting story about starting nursery with a bubbly neurodiverse child at its centre. Written from the heart by debut, neurodiverse author, George Kirk, and illustrations buzzing with charm from Ana Gomez.

Bessie's head is full of bees, absolutely buzzing with them. And that is just fine. Until one morning, Granny takes them somewhere new. . . NURSERY! Soon Bessie realises that no one else at nursery has bees, so she keeps hers hidden inside. Now Bessie's head isn't just buzzing with bees. . . it's BURSTING with them!

Can Granny help Bessie back to feeling like herself again? And will Bessie find a way to share her bees with everyone in a way that feels right?

This empowering story gives voice to the often complex experiences of growing up with ADHD through the visual, accessible metaphor of bees. Bessie and her bees help readers see themselves represented and also understand those around them. This book offers a universal message for all and is an important addition to everyone's bookshelf.

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Reviews

Louise

Bessie's Bees is a tender, uplifting picture book that captures the whirlwind world inside the mind of a neurodiverse child starting nursery for the first time. Kirk uses the brilliant metaphor of buzzing bees to show what it's like to live with ADHD.

Little Bessie's head is full of bees: lively, busy, sometimes overwhelming, but completely hers. When Granny takes Bessie to nursery, it's clear that Bessie's inner world doesn't quite match everyone else's and her instinct to hide her bees will be heartbreakingly familiar to many neurodivergent kids and their families.

Ana Gomez's illustrations are brimming with warmth and charm. The bees swirl playfully around Bessie's hair and shoulders, capturing both the joy and chaos of her thoughts. Children will delight in spotting the bees on every page and adults will appreciate the gentle but powerful message about acceptance, self-expression, and the importance of supportive grown-ups. Granny's steady, loving presence shows how small acts of understanding can help a child feel safe enough to be fully themselves.

Bessie's Head is Full of Bees is an empowering read for any child who sometimes feels a little "too much" and is an essential story for families, schools, and nurseries wanting to build empathy and understanding for neurodiversity.