Wow, what a winning combination of text and illustration—worthy of every award this book has received so far! Following the life of a single honeybee, the text leads readers through the drama of an unfolding life, and in the process, reveals the life development of the species. The illustrations provide incredible detail and up-close perspectives. Unforgettable!
Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner

Take to the sky with Apis, one honeybee, as she embarks on her journey through life!

An Orbis Pictus Honor Book

Selected for the Texas Bluebonnnet Master List

Finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

A tiny honeybee emerges through the wax cap of her cell. Driven to protect and take care of her hive, she cleans the nursery and feeds the larvae and the queen. But is she strong enough to fly? Not yet!

Apis builds wax comb to store honey, and transfers pollen from other bees into the storage. She defends the hive from invaders. And finally, she begins her new life as an adventurer.

The confining walls of the hive fall away as Apis takes to the air, finally free, in a brilliant double-gatefold illustration where the clear blue sky is full of promise-- and the wings of dozens of honeybees, heading out in search of nectar to bring back to the hive.

Eric Rohmann's exquisitely detailed illustrations bring the great outdoors into your hands in this poetically written tribute to the hardworking honeybee. Award-winning author Candace Fleming describes the life cycle of the honeybee in accessible, beautiful language. Similar in form and concept to the Sibert and Orbis Pictus award book Giant Squid, Honeybee also features a stunning gatefold and an essay on the plight of honeybees.

Cook Prize Honor Book

An American Library Association Notable Children's Book

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, NPR, Shelf Awareness, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and more!

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year

A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Book

A Booklist Editor's Choice

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection