‘Just One Bee’ tells the story of a bee’s dream believing that change is possible through determination, collaboration and the willingness to pursue the unachievable and make it possible. The bee flies into a dry and barren desert where nothing grows but wonders if he can do something about the situation. Other bees seem to have given up, however, One-bee does search every day for a plant, until he finds a lonely flower on the cliff edge and dreams of a field of flowers.
One-bee decides to search for another bee and hopes to have some help creating his field of flowers dream. When he sees another bee, he is excited that his dream will come true, however Other-bee is not interested, he has a flower, and a queen and One-bee's dream seems impossible. One-bee is determined so heads off to find the flower to bring back some pollen.
The text is simple and powerful, building up slowly, like the flowers growing and reinforces the bee’s determination in its mission. The text emphasises the concept of hope, empowerment and inspiration to others to symbolise change, collaboration and the emotional journey of being a leader to promote change.
The illustrations by Christopher Nielsen uses graphics to build the story and the transformation of the colours begins, mostly with grey, browns and yellows, then, as the bee grows the flowers’ splashes of green, purple and reds also emerge. This is a great book for exploring the essential services that bees provide to the planet, exploring visual literacy, and wellbeing.
Information about the importance of bees to our planet and the challenges they face is included at the end of the book.
‘Just One Bee,’ was an Honour Book in the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award in 2022.
Picture Books for Older Readers
