Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm
About
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“Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm” is a masterfully crafted picture book that transforms a common childhood fear into an opportunity for growth and environmental awareness. The story’s strength lies in its gentle approach to facing fears, combining emotional intelligence with fascinating scientific facts about bees.
What sets this book apart is its perfect balance of entertainment and education. Through Bella’s journey, young readers learn fascinating bee facts – like bees having five eyes and their ability to see certain colors – while experiencing the emotional arc of overcoming fear. The author cleverly incorporates scientific information through engaging dialogue and experiences rather than dry exposition.
The relationship between Bella and Grandma Yetta continues to be a highlight of the series, showing how inter-generational wisdom and patience can help children face their fears. Farmer Joe adds another layer of expertise while maintaining the warm, supportive tone that makes the educational aspects feel natural and engaging.
The book goes beyond just telling a story by including practical elements like a glossary and “Bella’s Bee-Friendly Tips,” making it a valuable resource for families and educators. These additions transform the narrative into an actionable guide for children interested in helping bees and understanding their importance to our ecosystem.
For ages 4-8, this book successfully accomplishes multiple goals: addressing common childhood fears, teaching about an important part of our ecosystem, and encouraging environmental stewardship – all while maintaining an engaging narrative that will keep young readers interested from start to finish.
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Debbie Drum's Book Video Review of Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm
Literary Titan Gold Book Award
The Heart of Every Adventure
How old is she? 8 years old.
What does she look like? A spirited girl who loves to create art, wears a very special family heirloom her Grandma Yetta gave her - a magical butterfly locket.
What is she like? Bella is creative, artistic, brave, and has a huge heart for helping others. She loves to draw and make beautiful pictures, especially butterflies and nature scenes. Sometimes big jobs feel overwhelming, but she never gives up. She gets excited about fun trips, loves her family, and always puts friends before winning. She's incredibly kind and will stop to help anyone who needs it, even if it means she comes in last.
What is she really good at? Drawing amazing pictures (especially butterflies and flowers), solving problems, helping others, learning about nature, astronomy, and different cultures, baking with guidance, and being a loyal friend.
What does she love most? Drawing, butterflies, art supplies, butterfly gardens, Grandma Yetta's hugs, everything purple, magical adventures, learning new things, helping friends, and bringing people together.
Her favorite color: Purple.
Her special job: She's a Key Keeper. That means she protects a key that opens a door between our world and a world of magic where the domovoi live.
Her greatest strength: Her kindness and willingness to help others for no other reason then it's the right thing to do.
Books she's in: ALL 10 Bella Brown books - she's the main character of the entire series.
Fun stuff about Bella:
- Her room gets SO messy she has to jump over clothes mountains.
- She draws thank-you pictures for people she loves.
- When her room is clean, she can run without tripping over toys.
- She has a magical butterfly locket that glows when magic is near.
- She can sweep up messes faster than you can say "Lickity-split-ala-ka-boom."
- She's been on amazing butterfly adventures around the world with Grandma Yetta.
- She overcame her fear of bees and learned to love them.
- She knows amazing facts about dragonflies and the moon.
- She loves learning about different holiday traditions from around the world.
- She's not the fastest runner, but she has the biggest heart.
- She always stops to help others, even in the middle of a race.
- She turns conflicts into friendships through understanding.
- She makes the best cookies when she follows directions.
- She knows that the best finish line is the one you cross together.
Bella's wisdom:
- "Drawing is fun and easy, but cleaning my room is hard."
- "Friends matter more than finishing first."
- "Sometimes the best finish line is the one you cross together."
- "Like the bees we're helping---each small act combined makes something amazing."
What makes Bella special: She always chooses kindness over winning, learning over knowing, and helping others over helping herself. She's a true friend who brings out the best in everyone around her.
The Wise Magic Keeper
Who is she? Bella's sweet grandma who always helps.
What is she like? Kind, smart, and never gets mad. She knows how to make hard things feel easy and fun. She also knows LOTS of magical secrets. She has a great sense of humor and loves wearing purple clothes.
What makes her special? She can help you do anything by breaking it into tiny pieces, and she knows about magic and folklore. She also looks great in purple.
Why kids love her: She always knows what to say to make you feel brave and happy, plus she tells the best magical stories. She even thinks being painted purple is fun.
Her special secret: She used to be a Key Keeper too when she was young.
Her style: She loves wearing purple clothes like aubergine shawls and has natural purple hair.
Books she's in: ALL 10 Bella Brown books - she appears in every single book in the series.
Fun stuff about Grandma:
- She calls Bella "Bubalah" (that means sweetheart).
- She gives the BEST hugs ever.
- She tells the best bedtime stories.
- She makes yummy treats that tasted like love.
- She met Papa Pip when she was Bella's age.
- She has a cozy cottage with a beautiful butterfly garden.
- She creates and designs butterfly gardens around the world for the Lavender and Roses Society.
- She makes the best hot cocoa.
- She knows Bella's favorite treats are purple-frosted cupcakes.
- She thinks being covered in purple paint actually suits her.
- She wears lavender perfume and aubergine shawls.
What Grandma teaches: Big jobs are easy when you do them one step at a time, and magic often hides in plain sight.
The Loving Guide
Who is she? Bella's loving mom.
What is she like? She loves Bella very much but wants her to do her jobs before fun time.
What does she believe? When you work hard, you earn special treats and trips.
Why she's great: She notices when you do good work and celebrates with you.
Books she's in: Bella Brown's Messier Than Messy Room, Bella Brown—Grandma's Missing Butterfly Locket, Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm. (Note: Mom does not appear in Books 4-10 of the Bella Brown series)
(Note: A different character named "Bella" appears as Billy's sister in "The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed," and their mother is heard but not seen in that book. Readers may decide for themselves whether these are the same characters or different people who happen to share the same names.)
Fun stuff about Mom:
- She takes pictures of special moments.
- She says "Wow!" when you do something amazing.
- She keeps her promises about fun trips.
What Mom says: "You really earned your trip to the butterfly garden."
The Bee Expert
Who is he? A friendly bee farmer who teaches kids about bees.
How old is he? 60 years old.
Where does he work? Sunny Meadows Bee Farm.
What does he wear? Coveralls and a big smile.
What is he like? Patient, kind, and never makes kids feel silly for being scared.
What makes him special? He knows EVERYTHING about bees and loves sharing cool bee facts.
Why kids love him: He understands when you're nervous and helps you feel brave.
Books he's in: Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Farmer Joe:
- He calls his farm "bee paradise".
- He teaches kids that honey is really bee vomit (but in a fun way.).
- He knows that bees do a wiggle dance to talk to each other.
- He's super patient with scared kids like Bella.
- He makes learning about bees exciting instead of scary.
What Farmer Joe teaches: Bees are amazing helpers, not scary monsters.
Bella's Best Magical Friend (Look for Pip hiding in EVERY Bella Brown book)
Who is he? Bella's magical best friend and house helper.
What is he? A special house spirit who takes care of families (that's what a domovoi does).
What does he look like? He has brilliant blue hair, orange skin, and he's often seen about as tall as Bella's knee, but can also appear taller and smaller too.
What's he like? Friendly, loyal, and always watching out for Bella. He's the smallest in his domovoi family, but he has a big heart. He gets nervous and giggly sometimes. He LOVES making surprises for his friends, even when it causes trouble.
His special job: Keeping Bella's house and family safe and happy.
His magic power: Shape shifting. He can change into different things, but sometimes he struggles to keep a shape or gets stuck. Like the time he tried to turn into an eagle, and turned into a dancing chicken for three days instead. And his mom appreciated all the eggs.
What makes him special? Even though he's the littlest domovoi and his magic is still wobbly, he might become the BEST shape shifter ever.
What's in his treasure bag: Candies that sparkle like gems, trinkets that shine brighter than fireflies, buttons, coins, and the sparkliest stardust of all.
Where does he live? Pip lives behind the stove like most domovoi, but he also travels back and forth to Dom, the magical domovoi world.
Books he's in: ALL 12 of J.W. Zarek's picture books - he appears in every single book either as a main character or hidden in background illustrations.
Bella Brown Series appearances:
- Books 1-3: Hidden in background illustrations
- Books 4-8: Main character
- Books 9-10: Hidden in background illustrations
Standalone book appearances:
- Pip's Epic Treasure Hunt (main protagonist)
- The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed (hidden in background illustrations)
Fun stuff about Pip:
- He's the runt (smallest one) of his domovoi clan.
- His shape shifting gets mixed up sometimes, but he keeps trying.
- He makes tiny sneezes that echo from the fireplace.
- Papa Pip taught him to always keep the house neat and never leave a mess.
- His blue hair gets sad and turns periwinkle when he's worried.
- He sometimes "borrows" things from Papa Pip's magic shed without asking first.
- He knows Bella's favorite color is purple and her favorite treats are purple-frosted cupcakes.
- He can tip-toe so quietly you can barely hear him.
- He appears in ALL of J. W. Zarek's picture books.
- He's always nearby, even when Bella doesn't see him.
- He's magic, but he's also Bella's friend.
- Kids who spot him have super-amazing eyes.
- In domovoi folklore, house spirits are heard more than seen - that's why Pip loves to play hide and seek.
- His hugs feel warm as sunbeams.
Pip says: "The best gifts come from knowing what lights up someone's heart."
Your challenge: Look for Pip hiding in every Bella Brown book.
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Recent Publications (2022-2025)
1. “The Girl Who Sings to Bees” by Chiquis Rivera with Lissette Norman (2025)
- Similarities: Child finding inspiration from observing hardworking bee, overcoming fears through bee connection, grandmother’s garden setting with bees, emotional growth through nature observation.
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature children who become inspired by observing dedicated, hardworking bees and find courage through this connection, though Girl Who Sings focuses on grief and bullying while Bella’s emphasizes fear of insects
2. “Henry Meets a Honey Bee” by Hippie Chick Apiary (2021)
- Similarities: Child meeting bees, fear to fascination journey, bee education
- Age Range: 3-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature children learning about bees and transforming fear into admiration through knowledge
3. “Bee: A Peek-Through Board Book” by Britta Teckentrup (2022)
- Similarities: Interactive bee learning, environmental stewardship themes, bee’s daily journey
- Age Range: 0-3 years (but appeals broader)
- Why It Compares: Both emphasize bees’ essential role and environmental cooperation
Publications (2015-2021)
4. “The Beeman” by Laurie Krebs & Valeria Cis (2002, continued popularity through 2021)
- Similarities: Grandparent-grandchild beekeeping experience, intergenerational learning, authentic beekeeping equipment and processes, educational back matter with bee facts
- Age Range: 5-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature children learning from knowledgeable adults about beekeeping with accurate equipment details and educational components, though Beeman uses rhyming text while Bella’s focuses on overcoming fear
5. “Please Please the Bees” by Gerald Kelley (2017, continued strong popularity)
- Similarities: Character learning to appreciate and help bees, realizing the importance of caring for bee communities, developing better relationship with bees through understanding their needs
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both show characters developing appreciation for bees and learning how to help them, though Please Please focuses on a bear learning responsibility while Bella’s emphasizes fear transformation through education
6. “Flight of the Honey Bee” by Raymond Huber (2013, continued popularity)
- Similarities: Bee education, following bee’s journey, scientific facts integrated with story
- Age Range: 3-7 years
- Why It Compares: Both combine engaging narrative with accurate bee science and environmental education
7. “The Honeybee Man” by Lela Nargi (2011, ongoing popularity)
- Similarities: Beekeeper character, urban beekeeping, bee facts, community connection
- Age Range: 5-10 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature beekeepers sharing knowledge and demonstrate human-bee relationships
Classic Publications (2010 and earlier)
8. “The Life and Times of the Honeybee” by Charles Micucci (1995)
- Similarities: Comprehensive bee education, hive structure, bee roles and behaviors
- Age Range: 6-10 years
- Why It Compares: Both provide detailed bee education but Bella’s adds emotional journey element
9. “The Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive” by Joanna Cole (1996)
- Similarities: Educational bee adventure, hive exploration, scientific learning
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both take children inside bee world with educational content and adventure elements
Fear-to-Fascination Books
10. “Bee-bim Bop!” by Linda Sue Park (2005)
- Similarities: Child protagonist, nature connection, cultural elements, overcoming hesitation
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both show children learning to appreciate nature through family guidance
11. “In the Trees, Honey Bees” by Lori Mortensen (2009)
- Similarities: Rhyming bee education, hive exploration, bee facts for children
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both make bee science accessible through engaging storytelling
