Choosing a children’s book can feel overwhelming. There are so many lovely stories out there, but the ones that really matter are the ones children ask for again and again.
Now, of course I’m a little biased, but I truly believe Buster the Clumsy Honeybee is a book to watch in 2026. Not just because it is a fun, rhyming story set in the real world, but because it gently explores things like acceptance, confidence and caring for nature in a way that feels natural and easy for young children to understand.
Here are a few reasons why I think Buster the Clumsy Honeybee stands out.
It blends fiction and non-fiction in a gentle, meaningful way
Buster the Clumsy Honeybee is, at heart, a fictional story full of rhyme, humour and warmth. But The Unlikely Friends series carries a bigger mission beyond the page. Each story is designed to help children notice the natural world around them and feel empowered to take small, achievable steps to care for it. The hope is that long after the story is finished, children will look a little closer, care a little deeper, and grow up understanding that wildlife needs us just as much as we enjoy it.
It celebrates difference and being proud to be yourself
Buster struggles because he does not fit neatly into the world around him. He flies differently, moves differently, and tries hard to change himself to please others. His journey is about learning that his differences are not flaws, but strengths. This message sits quietly at the heart of the story, reminding children that they do not need to be the same as everyone else to belong.
It helps children understand big emotions without labelling them
Rather than telling children how they should feel, Buster’s story allows emotions to unfold naturally through experience. Frustration, self doubt, determination and joy are all woven into the rhythm of the story in a way that feels familiar and reassuring. It gives children space to recognise their own feelings without ever feeling taught or corrected.
It encourages curiosity about the natural world
The story is rooted in real places, real creatures and real moments children might recognise from gardens, parks and outdoor play. Bees, flowers and meadows are not abstract ideas here, they are part of everyday life. By grounding the story in nature, it gently encourages children to observe, ask questions and feel connected to the world just outside their door.
It turns curiosity into action
Each Unlikely Friends story closes with a simple pledge, inviting children to take one small action to help wildlife. These moments are not about pressure or perfection, but about possibility. They show children that even the smallest hands can make a difference, and that caring for nature can be joyful, achievable and shared together.
Buster the Clumsy Honeybee is now available to buy for UK delivery, ready to be shared, read and loved at home. If you are visiting from further afield, the book will also be available on Amazon for global purchases in the New Year. Wherever you are, Buster cannot wait to meet you and zoom into your world.