Queenspotting- Hilary Kearney- Factual

A wonderful colourful read for anyone interested in bees. This begins by saying why spot

the queen and giving several reasons for doing so. Here in the UK we would maybe add

one extra reason. For us one of the main reasons for finding the queen is to see if she

is still there and actively laying eggs. Seeing eggs can be one method but if you see the

queen you definitely know she is present. The next section is inside the hive and gives

the jobs of the bees. There are some stunning pictures in this book and it would make

a perfect coffee table book that could be enjoyed by both adults and children alike.

I enjoyed the story about swarm removal. Anyone who has tried to do this will know i

ts never as easy as you first think. Plan A quickly turns to b,c,d…. you get the picture.

The book covers everything from the role of each type of bee, the dances they perform

, turning nectar into honey and even storing honey. There are several pictures of

“just bees” interspersed throughout the book. Each one has a queen in! (there are

answers at the back!) Excellent practice- as she is sometimes rather elusive to say

the very least. An interesting, educational read not just for the beekeeper.

A perfect mix of pictures, stories and facts.

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