Bumblebee

The life cycle of a queen bumblebee starts on a sunny spring day when she sleepily leaves her winter home. Apple blossom nectar quenches her thirst and she collects pollen from scented flowers.

An old, dry mousehole makes a perfect nest for her to build wax honeypots and lay her eggs. The newborn larvae spin cocoons which hatch into worker bees. Further eggs produce new queens who will leave the nest in early autumn to mate with male drones. As summer fades, the old queen flies away, content with her work.

Toddlers follow the queen's progress through vibrant illustrations while older children learn

about nature and how to protect the dwindling bee population through the accessible, informative text.