![]() ![]() While I generally don't like novels with talking animals, this one falls into the same category of books as Watership Down which manages to successfully bridge this divide. It's not a spoiler to disclose that Flora 717 also talks. ![]() ![]() Scent plays a key role in Flora's life and in the book, with scent and smells appearing on almost every page as it forms a critical part of Flora's communication with other bees and the environment around her. Each bee knows their duty and they're united by the hive mind and their love for the Queen or Mother bee. You might imagine a bee's life is dull, but we follow Flora 717 around all of the departments of her hive and learn the tasks each of her fellow hive members undertakes. She has other skills though and learns to be a productive member of the hive. Flora 717 is born a sanitation bee, but she doesn't quite fit in due to her bigger body and ugly features. The Bees by Laline Paull is the tale of one bee's life in her hive and I was chuffed to receive it as a Christmas gift in 2018. ![]() They produce honey and beeswax and if I didn't live in the city, I fancy I'd like to own and tend my own beehive. They're crucial to the environment and the pollination of many flowers, fruits and vegetables. ![]()
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