BIZZY BZZZ THE BEE AND GRANDPA'S TEA

A boy searches for a solution that will enable his grandfather and a bee to enjoy mornings without bothering each other in this rhyming picture book.

Every morning, the unnamed narrator wakes so he can watch his grandfather’s daily encounters with a bee who lives on the porch. First, his grandfather has to put in his dentures and say a prayer. The boy observes: “I don’t think, wink, wink that Grandpa can talk to God without his special teeth.” Soon Grandpa and his dog, Sparks, are off to the porch with a hot mug of tea. But as soon as Grandpa sits down, Bizzy Bzzz appears; soon the two are dancing around the porch while the narrator laughs. After Grandpa nearly falls (rescued by the narrator and Sparks), the boy devises a possible solution. Maybe Bizzy Bzzz isn’t after Grandpa but the honey in his tea. Peagler, whose previous books are for an older audience, offers syncopated rhyming phrases within long blocks of prose; the formatting may cause the young audience (or parents reading aloud) to stumble before finding the shifting rhythm. The narrator and his grandfather are clearly a loving pair. Digital pictures from Blueberry Illustrations deftly show the affectionate relationship between the two, who are both brown-skinned. Subtle references to faith ground this book in a spiritual setting without preaching, and the message of finding a solution that allows kindness to all parties is well delivered.

A strong and creative young narrator makes this clever family tale resonate.