The Bee Without Wings
by Amberlea Williams; illus. by the author
Preschool, Primary    Princeton    40 pp.
3/23    9781797222509    $18.99

Inspired by a news article about a woman who cared for a wingless bee found in her garden, this picture book follows young Sasha, who discovers, rescues, and befriends a small bee in need. The story starts on the ground, below the flowers, tracing the path of a walking bee who has no wings. “On the warm spring day when Sasha first saw the bee, she didn’t realize something was wrong. Then she saw.” Though the illustrations feature joyous spring colors created with gouache and colored pencils, they effectively express the emotional distress of Sasha (and her cat Molly) and the exhaustion and misery of the little bee. Visual shifts in point of view emphasize how small and helpless it is. With support and care, the creature, eventually named Bea, thrives, but its life without wings still poses challenges. Finally, Sasha imagines and constructs a solution that allows Bea some daily flight time. While the anthropomorphism throughout is fantastical, the story is embedded in firm realism: bees have a short lifespan. “And one sad, unfixable day, Bea was gone.” The final tribute Sasha pays to her friend will carry on for generations of bees while offering a jumping-off point for readers. Illustrated back matter includes information and helpful tips for those who want to support the bees who buzz around their own homes and neighborhoods.

From the March/April 2023 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.