THE GREAT POLLINATOR COUNT

Bug enthusiast Mellie helps new kid Jason feel the excitement when Science Club takes part in the titular community-science event.

Jason is dubious about spending the afternoon looking for stinging insects, and Mellie would really rather be paired with best friend Sylvie instead of Jason. But as Mellie explains the differences among the pollinating insects that they spot and marks their tally card, Jason warms to the activity and Mellie warms to Jason. Between Ms. Bombus’ gentle instruction and eager Mellie’s contributions, young listeners will learn a lot about both the Great Pollinator Count and many of the plants and insects that make up a healthy North American pollinator ecosystem. Coleman’s bright illustrations feature stylized but recognizable blooms; the bugs that visit them are depicted out of scale for visibility but are otherwise rendered accurately. Mellie’s descriptions include mnemonics: A carpenter bee has a “shiny hiney,” and wasps and hornets have “skinny-mini” waists. While the story’s focus is educational, Richmond takes care to develop narrator Mellie’s character fully; the youngster is a know-it-all with depth. Mellie has parchment-colored skin and bushy blond hair, Jason has light-brown skin and curly brown hair, and Sylvie presents East Asian. Ms. Bombus has dark-brown skin and dark hair, and the Science Club members are racially diverse. Backmatter offers more information on pollination and pollinators.

Should get young entomologists buzzing.