about the book
Scout, a honey bee with fuzzy black and yellow stripes, has a very important mission. She is responsible for locating flowers and relaying that information to the rest of the hive. This will be her first scouting trip. With cold weather coming, it is important the hive collects enough food to survive through the long winter.
On this beautiful golden fall day, Scout buzzes here and there, always aware of predators. At times she is buffeted by a strong wind, and if a storm comes, she’ll have to seek shelter quickly.
Finally, she finds what she is looking for-an arresting scent that drifts on the breeze. Flowers!
Scout locks onto this smell and follows it until she discovers “an ocean of blooms.” Perfect! She lands on a blossom and finds it laden with pollen! Rubbing against a flower, Scout carries grains of pollen back to her hive. Since she can’t talk, she dances the instructions on how to find the blossoms, and her sisters fly off to collect the precious nectar.
Filled with bright impressionistic illustrations, this book offers the youngest readers lots of factual information about honey bees and how their colonies work. There is also an explanation on how to protect these “greatest pollinators.”
about the author
Raymond Huber is a pretty interesting guy. He thinks science is really cool and he especially likes bugs. He tends honey bee hives in his yard, chips limestone into interesting abstract sculptures, teaches kids, and writes all sorts of things—scientific volumes, classroom textbooks, children’s novels, picture books, and even poetry.
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, skinny Raymond was a shy worrier as a kid. His father was a mountaineer who sent him tumbling down slopes on skies and taught him to love the outdoors. His mother volunteered at a children’s library and instilled in him a great love of books. He spent hours at the Canterbury museum looking through their “creaky drawers full of bizarre insects.” Not surprising, his favorite food has always been honey!
Raymond earned a bachelor’s in horticulture, a bachelor’s in education, and a diploma in children’s literature. After working as a bug research assistant (also known as an insect counter), gardener, and a primary school teacher for fifteen years, he turned to writing and editing full time in 2004.
With their three children all grown, Raymond lives in Dunedin, New Zealand, with his wife Penelope Todd. She is a novelist, editor and publisher. Obviously they share a love a books!
Sources:
Author website
Author biography : New Zealand Book Council
Author/Illustrator interview : Auckland Libraries
Book review : Randomly Reading
about the illustrator
Brian Lovelock grew up on a diary farm in Marton, New Zealand. Never much of a reader, he was more an outdoorsy type and was brought up to pursue practical interests. Fortunately, his mother was a painter, and she encouraged Brian to paint, too.
He studied chemistry in college and, since 1979, has worked as a geothermal scientist involved with the power industry. That means he spends a great deal of time around hot springs!
Surprisingly, Brian’s interest in drawing helped his technical career—and his scientific interests helped his artistic endeavors. He found himself dabbling in portraits and even fashion illustrations.
About ten years ago, as Brian’s reputation as a fine artist and watercolorist grew, his friends encouraged him to get involved in the children’s book illustration business. He especially enjoys illustrating science and nature books.
Brian currently makes his home in Auckland, New Zealand, with his two children, Jackie and Harry.
Sources:
Illustrator biography : New Zealand Book Council
Book review : Randomly Reading
Illustrator profile : Sandra Morris Illustration Agency
Author/Illustrator interview : Auckland Libraries
Also illustrated by Brian Lovelock:
Construction by Sally Sutton. Candlewick Press. 2014.
Demolition by Sally Sutton. Candlewick Press. 2012.
Did My Mother Do That? Candlewick Press. 2010.
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