annieb123's Review of Pocket Nature: Beekeeping

by Ariel Silva

Step into the remarkable world of the honeybee in this illuminating and delightfully illustrated pocket guide.

For budding apiarists, this introductory book offers fascinating information about honeybees and everything you need to know to begin your own beekeeping journey. For example, did you know that from birth, female bees are promoted through roles such as nurse, baker, and guardian of the hive? Or that male bees' primary purpose is simply to mate with a queen, but only 0.1% of them ever will?

In these pages, you'll discover the inner workings of the beehive, the properties of honey, the basics of keeping bees, and the joys that come from this meditative hobby, including a thriving garden, environmental stewardship, and a supportive community (not to mention delicious honey!). A whole world awaits-and it's just outside your door.

FOR BEEKEEPERS AND BEE ENTHUSIASTS: This petite and brightly colored book will appeal to anyone interested in bees and beekeeping, whether they're just starting their journey or well on their way. Don't let the size fool you-this compact bee book is packed with insightful information and helpful tips for novices and experts alike.

WHY BEES MATTER: We need bees. According to Greenpeace, bees are responsible for one in every three bites of food humans consume. Without them, Earth, and our daily existence, wouldn't be the same. The active Save the Bees movement that has erupted in recent years shows that people are adamant about bee justice and committed to spreading awareness and knowledge about bees. This pocket guide is a practical and inspiring addition to the cause.

HIGHLY GIFTABLE NATURE BOOK: Filled with appealing illustrations, calming meditations, and tidbits about honeybees that will make your jaw drop, this is a lovely gift for bee lovers, nature enthusiasts, and others who want to learn more about these incredible specimens. Pair with jars of honey or other books in the Pocket Nature series to delight a friend, colleague, parent, or sibling-anyone who loves learning about our amazing natural world.

Perfect for:- Bee enthusiasts, apiarists, and beginner beekeepers - Nature lovers and hikers - Mindfulness practitioners - Followers of @bowserbee on TikTok - Birthday, anniversary, housewarming, or seasonal gift for nature lovers

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Pocket Nature: Beekeeping is an accessible and attractive pocket guide to bees and beekeeping by Ariel Silva. Due out 26th March 2024 from Chronicle Books, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a layman accessible and appealing book. It has a very retro vibe, with simple monochrome line drawn interior art (not as detailed as the cover art, which is gorgeous). It's a bit scattered and the information is not very rigidly organized. The author covers general (*very* general) info on bees, pollination, getting started with beekeeping (parts of a hive), honey, and some of the appeal of the craft. There are several activity prompts scattered throughout which will help readers get outdoors, observe, and *learn* about the more philosophical aspects of beekeeping and appreciation for our vital pollinators.

Three and a half stars. It's *not*, strictly speaking, a primer for actually getting started beekeeping (although it does give some tips); it's mostly a general short guide to getting out in nature and finding help to get started and some of the author's own background journey. There are also companion volumes in the series with the same format and graphic vibes on foraging, learning to identify wildflowers, and more.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

18 March, 2024: Started reading

18 March, 2024: Finished reading

18 March, 2024: Reviewed