Bombus The Bumblebee Book Review

The kids and I had the opportunity to review a book called "Bombus the Bumblebee". The book was written by Elsie Larson and Illustrated by David Haidle and Elizabeth Haidle.

A Mothers Review
It is a 40 page beautifully illustrated book that teaches several important lessons. The book is about a bumblebee named Bombus (which is actually the scientific name for bumblebee). Bombus was created along with many other creatures by God.  But he was different than the honeybees because he was larger, hairier and nosier. So the honeybees made fun of him and told him wasn't meant to be a flying insect. Bombus decided they were right so he joined the creeping things on the ground. Then God called to Bombus and asked him what he was doing. Bombus explained what had happened and how the honeybees had treated him. God told him that he had made no mistake and that he created bumblebees to fly despite their shape and weight. So Bombus joined the flying insects again and from that day on bumblebees have always flown.

At the end of the book there are several educational sections. There are 2 pages "...about Bumblebees" that provide scientific information and describe how bumblebees fly in an easy to understand manner.  "A Talking Time" offers discussion questions to spark conversation between you and your child about self-confidence and self-acceptance. And 3 pages of "Creative Activities" such as making plaster casts to show uniqueness of each person.

This book hit home for me and brought back childhood memories. I was teased throughout elementary school because of my birth defect. My ears stick out and one is bigger than the other (despite having surgery when I was 5). So when I started school I was called names like Dumbo and radar dishes. I  used to tell kids that teased me, that God created me that way and I was special. So if they didn't like it they could talk to him.

Kids will learn lessons about self esteem, bullying, creation and why God created everyone/everything differently.

A 5 1/2 yr old's review:
After we read the book I did the "Talking Time" activities in the back of the book with my daughter Gwyn. I also added a few other questions to our discussion as well.

My little girl showing off her 1st lost tooth!

1) Gwyn said that Bombus couldn't fly because he was too heavy.
2) He believed the other bees because they tricked him.
3) In her PreK class a girl made fun of her because she wears glasses. And she was sad.
4) She was teased because she wasn't as fast as other kids in her PreK class.She walked away and played something else. 
5) Yes she has acted like a bee but she cannot fly.
6) She had a hard time answering this question. So we discussed how being an individual and not being like everyone else was okay. We are all different and that's what makes us who we are.
7) She had a hard time with this one too, we didn't discuss it.
8) Bombus could fly because God told him that he was created to fly and he tried again.
9) She had a hard time with this one too, we discussed how Bombus was the one who took away his ability because he let the other bees convince him that he wasn't meant too.

Gwyns favorite picture because it has all of the animals in it!

Gwyns least favorite picture because the honeybees were picking on Bombus

Bombus the Bumblebee is available in hardback through New Leaf Publishing Group for only $11.99.  This is a great book for children and for families.

We even got to meet Bombus!!!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes only from New Leaf Publishing Group. No monetary compensation was received.