Caramel reviews The Little Book of Bees: Buzzy Wit and Wisdom by Sandra Lawrence

Today Caramel is chatting with Sprinkles (and a new friend!) about a little yellow book about bees: The Little Book of Bees: Buzzy Wit and Wisdom, compiled and written by Sandra Lawrence and published first in 2021.

Sprinkles: So we are talking about a little book about bees today.

Caramel: Yes! And that is why my friend is here with me. 

Bee-positive the bee: Hello, Sprinkles and the book bunnies fans! I read this book first, to make sure Caramel would not be learning anything wrong about me and my folks. It seemed fine. There are six chapters. I like the first introductory one the most because it is called The Joy of Bees. Because we bring joy everywhere we go. 

S: Except when you sting someone, but of course that is not a thing you like doing. I understand it is only a matter of self-defense and last resort. 

C: Sprinkles, the stinging usually kills the bee, so maybe it is a bit morbid to be talking about that. 

S: Okay, yes, you have a point, Caramel, how thoughtless of me…  What kind of a hostess am I being? Welcome, Bee-positive, to the book bunnies blog.

B: Happy to be here!

S: I am glad you and Caramel read this book together. 

C: Yeah, I really liked being able to share it with Bee-positive. 

S: Okay, so Bee-positive started us off with the contents of the book. Maybe tell us a bit more. What are the other chapters like? 

C: Well, the second chapter is called “Nectar of the Gods: Bees in myth, folklore and superstition”. So here I learned all kinds of weird things about bees. For example, Alexander the Great was buried in a sarcophagus filled with honey, did you know that?

B: But of course it is not true!

S: Hmm, I wonder… Anyways, I guess that is why the chapter is titled myth, folklore, and superstition.

C: Yep, probably. 

S: Though honestly, I for one would not have wanted to lie down in a pool of honey. You know I love honey but …

C: Then again, it might be soft and comfortable and smell good too!

S: Hmm. No. Not for me. 

B: Hey, it is a bit rude, don’t you think?  We don’t make our honey so folks sleep in it or put old things in it. 

S: Agreed. 

C: Alright, let us move on then. The third chapter is “Hive World: Of bees and beekeeping” There are many facts about beekeeping here. 

B:  And the fourth chapter is “What’s the Buzz: Bees of the rich, powerful, famous and fashionable”. This is about the posh part of the family, the bees associated with rich and famous people. 

C: Yeah, so this is where we learn about how Napoleon’s symbol was the bee. 

S: Huh, I guess there is something to be said about bees being hard-working and so on. But apparently, according to Wikipedia, Napoleon chose them as a symbol for immortality and the resurrection of the empire and such. That is so interesting! 

C: Yeah, I had no idea, either. Then the fifth chapter is called “A Taste of Honey”.

S: Hmm, I think I might like that chapter. Me and Winnie the Pooh. 

C: Yes, you might. We did too. There are many facts in the chapter about honey. 

S: Can you share with us something new that you learned about honey? 

C: Sure, for example, they found jars of honey in the Valley of the Kings, 3500 years old.

S: Wow! That is old! I wonder how it tastes… as far as I know, honey does not spoil, really. 

C: Well, we can never really keep it long enough to see; we eat it all up.

C: Okay, now the last chapter. This one is called “Listen to the Bees: Advice for Life”. 

B: Wait, maybe this is my favorite chapter! 

C: Well, it is kind of one of my favorites too. It is full of interesting facts and proverbs and quotes from people who think about what the bees can tell us.

S: Can you give us an example? 

C: Ok, here is an Arabian proverb: “When you shoot an arrow of truth, dip its tip in honey.” 

S: Oh, cool. Can you tell our reader what you think it might mean?

C: To be kind when you tell the truth, like honey-coat it.

S: That makes sense. People might be too overwhelmed with pain to get your point if you don’t try to be gentle with them when telling them hard, painful truths. 

B: Now, that would be a good use of honey. I approve. 

C: Me too. 

S: So this was a neat book for you, right, Caramel? You got to hang out with your new friend Bee-positive and learn a whole lot of new facts. 

C: Yes, it is a very good book, and we had a lot of fun reading it. Right, Bee-positive?

B: Yeah, totally!

S: Okay, maybe this is a good time to wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers as we wrap up this review, Bee-positive?

B: See you guys, maybe, later! I will be the one buzzing around on those flower beds. 

S: And how about you, Caramel?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!