The Island of the Bees
In what is truly a dream team combination, Patricia Forde and Paddy Donnelly’s new book is that increasingly rare thing in picturebooks: an adventure story.
Centring on the folklore of beekeeping, the book follows Mamó and Orla on their island home as they care for a hive of bees. Their lovely home is destroyed however, when a monster wakes and covers their island with lava. Warned by the bees, Mamó and Orla make it to a ship and smuggle their hive onboard just in time. Their journey across the sea to find a new home is full of peril and inhospitable places. Luckily the bees might just come to the rescue.
Patricia Forde’s language here evokes fairytales and fables, with the butcher and the baker making an appearance alongside dragons and storms. This is emphasised by the beautiful and dramatic illustrations. Paddy Donnelly’s vivid use of colour captures the drama and movement of the story. The storm illustrations stand out in particular, the solitary figure of Orla on deck releasing the bees is a thing of beauty and echoes Forde’s description of the bee’s soft song.
A wonderful story exploring the ancient relationship between nature and humankind. Perfect for reading aloud, exploring the illustrations and for children starting to read independently.
