Are you looking for some Bee themed children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Bees can be a great theme to engage your students. It is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Bees books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Explore with your children the theme of Bees by trying these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. The Honeybee and the Robber by Eric Carle
Follow an adventurous honeybee as she goes about her busy day! Honeybee sips nectar from flowers, avoids hungry birds, and plays with butterflies. But when a robber bear comes looking for honey, all the bees must rush out to defend their home.
This classic Eric Carle story is brought to life by movable pull-tabs that children can use to animate the action, as well as a beautiful pop-up butterfly. The Honeybee and the Robber will delight both longtime fans and first-time readers.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Bees”
- Bee Counting Student Book Booklet
- Paper Plate Bees Art Project
- Bees Numbers & Number Word Counting Game
2. The Big Honey Hunt by Stan & Jan Berenstain
This classic Beginner Book written by Stan and Jan Berenstain is the debut of the beloved Berenstain Bears! The Bear family has run out of honey, and Father Bear and Small Bear are sent to get more.
But rather than just get some at the store as Mother Bear suggested, Father Bear decides to follow a bee and get fresh honey from the source. Early readers and established Berenstain Bears fans will lap up this sweet, adventurous tale.
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Were a Bee” Classroom Book
- Bees Retelling Story Graphic Organizer
- Bee Coffee Filter Art Project
- Bees Roll & Bump Math Dice Games
3. The Little Yellow Bee by Ginger Swift
Follow the Little Yellow Bee as he introduces your child to his friends in the garden. This includes snails, bunnies, ladybugs, and more!
This adorable lift-a-flap board book. Simple sentences reinforce future language structure while grasping and lifting the sturdy flaps helps develop fine motor skills. A perfect first book!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Bees”
- Bees Nonfiction Graphic Organizer
- Bees Make a Word Family
- Bees Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. UnBEEelievables by Douglas Florian
Come inside the honeycomb, a busy, buzzy, bee-filled home! Learn about the unexpected wonders of these tiny insects’ lifestyles, families, and communities. There are fourteen funny, fact-filled honeybee poems and paintings,
The author explores the natural history of these often-unappreciated critters, revealing them to be a totally cool and totally important part of our ecosystem. Indeed, these buzzy bugs have been in the spotlight lately as wild bee populations are dwindling, honey prices are rising, and beekeeping has become a popular hobby.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “My Favorite Insects”
- “All About Bees” Student Booklet
- “Bees” Student Story
- Bees Roll & Cover Math Game
5. Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive by Joanna Cole
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Scholastic is re-releasing the ten original Magic School Bus titles in paperback. With updated scientific information, the bestselling science series ever is back!
When the Magic School Bus turns into a beehive, Ms. Frizzle’s class learns firsthand about how workers, drones, and the queen bees live together. Readers will be abuzz with knowledge as they discover how honeybees find food; make a comb, honey, and beeswax; and care for their young, all from the bee’s perspective.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Bees”
- Story Retelling Worksheet
- Bees Build a Word
- Bees Add & Subtract Match Game
6. Save the Bees by Bethany Stahl
Take a journey with a smart bee & two inquisitive children to discover the importance of pollinators! Brought to you from the author who received a Certificate of Recognition from Dr. Jane Goodall! From exciting and adventurous to educational and captivating, Bethany Stahl’s immersive stories express heartfelt messages while engaging parents and children.
With beautiful and charming illustrations, as well as a lovable bee named Clover, this is a book adults will love reading over and over again with their kids. Save the Bees has a heartwarming lesson of ways we can help our pollinators, fun activities, and a message that will stay with the reader for a lifetime. You won’t want to miss inspiring your precious little one with this brilliant bee book!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “If I Were a Bee”
- Story Sequence Worksheet: Sequence events of the story
- Bee Story
- Bees Numbers & Ten Frames
7. What If There Were No Bees? By Suzzane Slade
This book focuses on the value of biodiversity and preservation. Grassland ecosystems can be found on nearly every continent. Countless animals and plants live in them.
So, what difference could the loss of one animal species make? Follow the chain reaction and discover how important honey bees are.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Bees Story” Classroom Book
- Paper Plate Bees Art Project
- Bees Letter & Sound Match
- Bees Math Dice Games
8. The Bee Book by Charlotte Milner
The perfect introduction to bee conservation for little ones. Learn all about the beautiful world of bees and their adventure from flower to flower. You’ll find out just how much they matter, why they are declining, and what we can do to help in this adorable kids’ book.
Bees are brilliant at building, super social creatures and along with other insects, are responsible for a third of every mouthful of food you eat! Children will be fascinated by the beautiful pictures and learn plenty of buzz-worthy fun facts in every chapter, covering types of bees, beehives, beekeeping, how they pollinate plants and make honey.
Literacy Extensions:
- Bees Writing Station Words
- Bees Sight Word Match
- Bees Art Project
- Bees Roll & Bump Math Game
Finally, there are so many Bee children’s books you can choose from. From Bee fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
