The Bee Who Loved Words
This is the tale of a very small bee
with a very long name: Per-seph-on-e.
Persephone loves collecting words…
Astronaut and telescope
Rhinoceros; kaleidoscope
Pterodactyl; saxophone
Pomegranate; xylophone!
The Queen Bee, Hermione, thinks Persephone should spend less time with words and more time on the hunt for flowers, which are harder and harder to find.
But Persephone knows that words have power:
Let other bees look for flower juice –
She wanted to put her words to use!
Can Persephone can use her words to help save the bees?
The Bee Who Loved Words is written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Erica Salcedo.
It was published by Puffin Books (Penguin Random House) in the UK in July 2023, and will also be published in Korea and Taiwan.
How to order your copy of the book:
We always recommend buying books through your nearest independent bookshop, where possible. You can pre-order The Bee Who Loved Words through them, or by following this link:
UK: Bookshop
(Disclosure: I am an author affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!)
Download a Primary Education Pack to accompany the book from the Puffin Schools website, for loads of ideas on how to use The Bee Who Loved Words as inspiration for a topic on bees and the environment!
Click here to download the Primary Education Pack
Reviews:
“Delightful! I read it to the children at Sky Primary School and it went down a treat! Such a fun story to read (I loved doing the characters, especially the queen).”
– Gillian Burke, BBC Springwatch presenter and biologist
“This bee-autiful ode to verse, rhythm and rhyme is not just a celebration of our major pollinator but a gorgeous call to arms for the protection of their habitats.”
– Family Bookworms Wales
“This is a gorgeous read about the power of words. Brilliant illustrations make this a beautiful book to treasure too. Absolutely recommended.”
– Fiona Sharp, Independent Book Reviews
“Words are the most amazing things – and this book is brimming with word play, celebrating the importance of language and the power it has to make a difference! The Bee Who Loved Words combines this joy with the importance of protecting bees and flowers, offering much to discuss and discover. The book is a joy to read aloud, combining wonderfully rich vocabulary with bouncy, rhyming text… It is a gift to teachers wishing to encourage words collecting and inspire children to use them!
This is a delightful book and one which is sure to be enjoyed again and again!”
– Through the Bookshelf
“The Bee Who Loved Words is a real celebration of language and the natural world, wrapped up in a brilliant, rhyming narrative. Persephone, a small bee with a big love for words, demonstrates that language holds a significant power, even in the tiny world of bees. The book is filled with rich vocabulary and perfect for reading aloud! The illustrations are absolutely fantastic and have a real fairy tale feel. Highly engaging and immersive!”
– Inclusive Children’s Books
“This is a lovely story for the child who is delighted by words…it’s fun to read and look at. The last page encourages us to plant flowers, take our litter home, use less plastic, timely messages indeed.”
– Diana Barnes, Armadillo Magazine
“A beautiful story book, full of rich vocabulary, that cleverly weaves spelling with conservation (yes!). It’s also about cultivating skills that you’re passionate about, even in the face of opposition. I adore this book.”
– Olivia’s Library
“I am sure that The Bee Who Loved Words will become a much-loved classic. It contains such powerful messages and beautiful illustrations too. I will definitely be recommending it!”
– Francesca Roberts, Year One teacher, Alderman Davies CiW Primary School
“Officially the cutest book ever”
– Griffin Books, Penarth (UK Independent Bookshop of the Year winner 2023)
Book Launch!
