Daphne's Bees
with illustrations by Veselina Tomova
Daphne heard a soft humming and opened her eyes. A honey bee was buzzing just outside her window. She smiled and jumped out of bed. Today was her tenth birthday—the day she was going to get her very own bee hive!-
Included in the Globe and Mail's Holiday Gift Guide 2022
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Included in Best Books for Kids and Teens (Fall 2022)
Daphne is abuzz with excitement! She’s learning the ins and outs of beekeeping from her grandmother. Together they assemble hive boxes, set up a colony, tend the colony, and gather honey. Told in a simple, straightforward manner, this beautifully illustrated informational storybook is an excellent introduction to the many aspects of beekeeping.
Written by an established beekeeper and former teacher, Daphne’s Bees celebrates the connection between grandparent and grandchild, and humans and the natural world.
The book includes lots of extra facts about bees and beekeeping, as well as a glossary of terms.
What folks are saying
Daphne's Bees is a gently educational story which contains lessons beyond beekeeping. Beekeepers know the sweetest tasting honey comes fresh from a beehive—this book is honey from the hive! It reminds readers of all ages of the special connection between us and our environment, as well as the importance of family, sharing, and time spent together. I am glad for this book as it will introduce beekeeping to new generations into the future."
~ Dr. Andrew Byers, Senior Apiculturist & Program Lead, Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture
Little Daphne has had a loving education, working beside her beekeeping grandmother. She is full of excitement as her birthday arrives, because she knows her gift will include beekeeping equipment to start her own colony. While they follow this exciting journey with Daphne, readrs are smartly educated about the importance of honey bees, generational beekeeping, and a love for nature. Children, parents, and grandparents alike, will enjoy this smart story about the love between grandparent and grandchild, and a passion passed on to another generation. It is something I hope to do with my own grandson some day. ~ Becky Wallroff, another beekeeping grandmother
Dempsey, debut author and past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Beekeeping Association, opens the buzzy world of beekeeping to young readers. ~Kirkus Reviews
Nature is a wise teacher, and Daphne’s Bees offers a crash course in teamwork, conservation, and caring for your community. ~ Quill and Quire (read the full review)
Bursting with information, this book is a gentle story that celebrates the bond between a young girl and her grandmother, while also conveying the genuine awe and wonder the bees enkindle in both beekeepers. [...] Veselina Tomova’s vibrantly hued and richly textured illustrations magnificently depict Daphne’s excitement as well as the intricate world of the bees and the hive. Lush and light-infused, the images bring to life the beauty of the landscape and capture a sense of quiet joy.~Lisa Doucet, Atlantic Books Today (read the full review)
[A] wealth of information, combined with Tomova's luxuriant illustrations, results in a book that will be absorbing to any child who is interested in how things work. Which is really most kids, isn't it? ~Jean Graham, The Northeast Avalon Times
There’s lots of food for thought in this story of a key agricultural activity in the familiar setting of a home garden, with in-depth detail to stimulate interest and new learning for young readers. Highly Recommended ~Gillian Richardson, CM: Canadian Review of Materials (read the full review)
Daphne’s Bees is an essential book for students learning about nature and the importance of pollinators. It’s informative and fun, and includes a lighthearted story with painted illustrations. The little bees and flowers look realistic, and you can tell that the illustrations are actual paintings, with their pencil outlines, canvas texture, and thick paint strokes.My grandfather used to keep bees, and I know that if I had read this book several years ago I would’ve immediately wanted to help him take care of his hives! ~ Bronte L., Grade 9, guest reviewer for CanLit for LittleCanadians (read the full review)
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