Review by Booklist Review
Mellie and the young citizen scientists in Ms. Bombus' Science Club are preparing for their annual Great Pollinator Count, inspired by the real-life Great Southeast Pollinator Census. While many think "bugs are cool," one new member, Jason, is a bit more hesitant. Through lively dialogue and clear instructions from Ms. Bombus, the story follows the students as they collaborate to tally the pollinators in their school's community garden. As the club members fill out their worksheets featuring realistic images, readers learn about various pollinators, from carpenter bees with their "shiny hiney[s]" to wasps with their "skinny-mini" waists, as well as flies, butterflies, and more. How many will they find this year? The back matter includes pollination facts, details on each pollinator and plant featured, and resources for further research. Despite being text-heavy, this book makes an excellent read-aloud or reference for any group of children eager to conduct their own pollinator count or work in a community garden.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--5--This title introduces the importance of pollinators, creating a situation that presents even the youngest child as an active participant in scientific processes. It features an enthusiastic school science club and a doubting outsider as they embark on the yearly pollinator count--an event where they track pollinators in the area, presenting data for actual scientists. Coleman's close-ups of bees and moths are especially breathtaking. The author carefully follows the scientific method, laying out instructions for data collection and keeping track of the process through a cool paper that tallies insects while tracking what readers have learned about each one. If that's not enough, there's plenty of interesting back matter on pollination and each individual bug. VERDICT An informative and beautiful jumping-off point for future scientists.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
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.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
