Have you ever stopped to watch a bee for a moment? Really watch.
The way they zoom, pause, wobble, and buzz from flower to flower, as if they are on a tiny but very important mission. Bees might be small, but they are full of wonder, and if you look closely, they have a lot to teach us.
In Buster the Clumsy Honeybee, we tucked real bee facts into the story because learning feels much more magical when it happens through curiosity and play. This is a story for little readers and big readers alike, full of discoveries that invite us all to look a little closer at the world around us.
Here are some un-bee-lievable bee facts to explore together.
Bees need lots of flowers
Once upon a time, bees had fields full of wildflowers to visit. Today, there are far fewer flowers for them to find, which makes life tricky for busy bees. That is why every flower matters. A tiny patch, a pot on a windowsill, or even one bright bloom can become a happy stop on a bee’s journey.
Bees do a happy dance
When a bee finds a flower it loves, it does not keep it a secret. Bees waggle and wiggle to share the good news. Back at the hive, they dance in a special figure of eight to guide others to the best flowers, helping the whole hive work together.
Bees are speedy little flyers
Some bees can fly as fast as a bicycle. That is very quick for something so small. They zoom between flowers all day long, collecting nectar and buzzing back home. Buster might be a bit crashy, but bees are brilliant flyers when it really matters.
Bees leave tiny messages behind
When a bee visits a flower, it leaves a little scent behind. It is like a secret note that says, “I have been here already.” This helps other bees know which flowers still have nectar waiting, saving time and energy for everyone.
Every bee has an important job
Inside a hive, everyone is busy. Some bees collect nectar, some look after the young, and others help guide the hive. Together, they may visit thousands of flowers in just one day. Every bee plays a part, and every job matters.
Bees help each other find new homes
Sometimes a hive gets too full. When that happens, scout bees set off to find a new place to live. They explore, report back, and guide the others to safety. It is a brave and important job, and it is exactly the role Buster takes on in the story.
Bees remember their favourite flowers
Bees have very good memories. When they find a place full of nectar, they remember it and return again and again. This is why planting flowers and caring for them year after year helps bees feel at home.
Bees remember their favourite flowers
Bees have very good memories. When they find a place full of nectar, they remember it and return again and again. This is why planting flowers and caring for them year after year helps bees feel at home.
I wanted to write a story about bees because we all love them. They are bright, busy and full of life. But the truth is, bees need our help. Their numbers are getting smaller, and there are not enough habitats or flowers to keep them happy. This story is my small way of starting a bigger conversation, one filled with hope, kindness and tiny actions that can make a real difference.
If you would like to read Buster’s story and join our mission to care for the bees we love so much, you can buy the book today and begin your own Unlikely Friends adventure.