Books for kids...

The Homeless Bumblebee and Me by David Greaves

A once happy bumblebee is driven from pillar to post in search of a suitable habitat.

Monstrous tractors and hedge-cutters make life unbearable, and even when a seemingly suitable strawberry farm is found, the stench of sprayed chemicals proves overpowering.

Help is at hand from kind-hearted Mary who helps the bee find an undisturbed and welcoming meadow specially set aside for bumblebees.

The gentle watercolour illustrations by Danielle Callaghan cleverly pinpoint the peace sought by the bumblebee in stark contrast to the glaring colours of the modern machinery.

This is an important ecological volume which suggests to the young reader how they can help the bee population to survive and encourage their parents to set aside part of their garden to grow wild; provide the bees with a water supply, and, most importantly, set some wild flowers.

By logging on to www.homelessbee.co.uk children can purchase a personalised copy of the book featuring the child’s name and a suitable avatar.

This is a worthwhile book, aimed at the right target audience.

Books for the very young seem to become more and more colourful and easy on the eyes.

A Small Surprise by Louise Yates (Red Fox, €7.80) is the spectacular tale of circus life and perilous acts of Boldness and Bravery, plus a small surprise!

Animals, great and small, show their extraordinary magical skills either high up top on the rope, or suddenly dis appearing out of sight. This is a wonderful off-beat book to read and enjoy together.

We Are Going On An Egghunt by Laura Hughes (Bloomsbury, €9.10) 

Bees are not seen in the same friendly light in this lift-the-flap book as they are just one more obstacle to overcome in the great Egghunt.

Though out of season, this book will amuse age four and upwards as they follows the rabbit family and find eggs under each flap.