Horsefly and Honeybee
Written and illustrated by: Randy Cecil
Published by: Henry Holt and Co.1 edition (March 27, 2012)
Ages: 3 – 8 years
Theme: adventure, sharing, friendship
Opening Lines: Honeybee was tired. So she stretched and yawned and plopped down inside a flower for a nap. But Horsefly was already inside.
Synopsis: When Honeybee decides to take a nap in the same flower as Horsefly, trouble ensues! They don’t want to share, and after quarrelling, run away in opposite directions. But it isn’t long until they meet again… They have both been captured by hungry Bullfrog! If Horsefly and Honeybee are to escape before dinnertime, they must find a way to work together.
Why I like this: Beautiful cute illustrations such as the one on the cover in bright colours of blues and greens with touches of pinks and oranges in full page spreads is a delight to look at, especially for little kids. Again another clever text in short punchy sentences this time with refrains. Sometimes in life we don’t realise our true friends until life throws us a curveball. I loved the quote at the end “We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.” -Luciana De Crescenza.
Again I have noticed when reviewing picture books how sparse the text is especially when the author illustrates their own books such as this one. There is so much that is left to the illustrations.
Resources/Findings: Here is a reading of the book.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlzR9vR5h10
Randy has a great website for this book. Loaded with activities, research links, nature studies on frogs, bees, flys etc… and games…. http://suzyred.com/pbks2013_Horsefly_and_Honeybee.html
I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Lovely choice. Another spring book today about insects. Like the theme of interdependence and working together. Oh, to be an illustrator. I’ve been watching the same sparsity of text with the active and engaging illustrations showing so much of the story.
So pleased you like this one Pat. Oh yes, to be an illustrator a good one. 🙂 Thanks for being here.
Love the idea of working together! And more bugs for spring 🙂
Glad you like it, Joyce. Yes spring coming your way. I’m dreading the ending of summer here. 🙂
Oh, I love the set-up and the fact that the two don’t want to share and then run into a trouble that helps them work together. Sweet! Thanks for highlighting!
So glad you liked this one, Jilanne. It’s a universal theme alright. Nice to see you here.
Having been stung/bitten by both I have to say it’s a good thing the characters were drawn to be so very cute!
Ha, yes I know the feeling. Like all bug books, They’re okay if drawn very cute. 🙂
OMgosh, incorporating a horsefly into a picture book is just awesome!
Ha, glad you like it Joanna. Aren’t the illustrations cute? 🙂
Bugs! How appropriate for the first day of spring. And a horsefly, to boot!
So glad you like this one too Sue. Have a good weekend. 🙂
This sounds very cute. I’m working on a manuscript with 2 characters/friends. I think this will be a good mentor text. Thanks for making me aware of it.
Your very welcome my friend. It would make a great mentor text. Look forward to hearing how you are going with your ms. Sounds interesting. 🙂
Oh, this is a great one! I read this with my son and he adored it. I think we’ll have to check it out again! Thank you for the great review and for reminding me what a great book it is!
Thank you very much for your kind words. Glad you liked it too. Have a great weekend.
That’s great they have to work together and help each other out. I don’t think I’ve read a story with a horsefly in it before!
Yes it’s an unusual mix of bugs but the illustrations are adorable and the theme universal and very kid friendly. Nice to see you here.
Hmm. I don’t recall any books with a horsefly. I hope I can find this one. Thanks for the pick.
Hi Stacy. Glad you liked this choice and I hope you find it. I think Enzo would enjoy it.
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