"The Honey Bus" by Meredith May

 

   Here is another book that I chose because of the cover.  Isn't it beautiful?  The colours?  The positioning of the title and author?  The cover photo?  
   It just pulled me right into the book.  It lets you know that this is a book about bees- lots of information about bees and their significance in the world.
   But the subtitle lets you know it is more that just a book about bees:  "a memoir of loss, courage and a girl saved by bees."

  ***************************************
   I immediately was reminded of "Flight Behaviour" by Barbara Kingsolver.  Although I love the author, the cover of this book is terrible.  But it also has a very powerful environmental message.  She is explaining about the significance of the monarch butterflies to the survival of the world.  I have discovered that it has a new, brighter, more inviting cover now.
   Both of these books are important in understanding the effect of climate change in the world.
                                  **************************************
   "The Honey Bus" is also important because it is a memoir.  Meredith was almost raised by her grandfather.  Her mother and grandmother were both emotionally damaged and either ignored or mistreated Meredith.  
   But Meredith does not denigrate or blame them.  She focusses on the lessons that her grandfather helped her learn from the honeybees.  Lessons that we all need to learn.
The ending (about the environment):
   "There's a growing consensus that we each have to do our own small act, whether it's seeding the roadsides with flowering plants, starting backyard hives of our own, or breaking up the food desert by planting flowering borders around mono-crops.
   It's the principle of the hive- if each of us does our small part, it could add up to a bigger whole.
   I owe Grandpa at least that much- to try.

   And I owe it to the bees.

author- Meredith May

   As long as honeybees stay strong, they can continue to pass their ancient wisdom to the next generation, so children can learn that even when they are overwhelmed with despair, nature has special ways to keep them safe.
   My personality was shaped by the life lessons I learned in a bee yard.  Every child should have that same opportunity to grow."