A heartwarming introduction to reading for kids ages three and up about how even solitary beings need people too, from Jean-François Sénéchal and Pascale Bonenfant
Anyone can make it on their own—just ask Colette! She’s a solitary bee who enjoys her own company more than anyone else’s and thrives on her independence. Colette can do just about anything by herself: day-to-day tasks, cleverly navigating the elements, and even setting out on solo adventures. But sometimes, even the most solitary bees need other insects around—like when things don’t go as planned, or when they’ve simply got a good story to tell. Colette: The Solitary Bee is an adorable, heartwarming tale that shows us we can be proud to do things by ourselves, but it’s also pretty great to share our lived experiences with those around us.
Praise
"Loners, only children, and the singularly single, rejoice: Colette the bee is here to tell your story! . . . The book looks like a classic, and it will very likely prove to be, thanks to its charming protagonist. Invite Colette to your next storytime or include her in a shared one-on-one reading experience; she’ll be equally welcome in both, and her adventures should be enjoyed by everyone, from the solitary to the gregarious. As delightfully sweet and pure as honey."
—Kirkus* starred review
"It’s good to help others and let them help you; solitary is also fine. Fanciful cartoonlike drawings . . . are colorful and fun."
—School Library Journal
"Colette is a solitary bee who loves being on her own and adores her independence. One day Colette realizes that it's okay to sometimes want to be around others — to share fun stories or to help when things don't go to plan — and that it doesn't make her any less independent."
—CBC Books
"Colette is an engaging tale that celebrates the joys of independence and solitude while gently encouraging individualistic readers to embrace the warmth of community . . . There are lots of fun little details for readers to discover and giggle at in this uplifting, memorable story about Colette choosing to live her best buzzy life, whether that means being self-sufficient, sociable or a life-affirming mix of the two."
—Bookpage
