With the important aim of inspiring the younger generation to look more closely and appreciate the fascinating world of insects this book is packed full of insect poems edited by Fran Long and Isabel Galleymore.
I met Fran (Mrs Long) back when her son, who is the same age as me, was writing a blog about insects. Through other mutual connections we have shared a few wildlife safaris including a day photographing water voles.
As Fran mentions in the introduction, she worked at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, which is an amazing place to visit if you ever get the chance.
At this time I was interviewed by Fran and got to help out at one of her summer school classes
I couldn’t think of a better person to be putting together a poem collection about insects.
The Bee is Not Afraid of Me is not just about the poems which vary from those that meander their way across the pages to informative ones to funny ones and those that give us in insight to an insect’s life, the book is more than just the poems. Each page has drawings and fascinating insect facts, like ants can lift 6000 times their body weight or butterfly wings were the inspiration behind anti-glare mobile phone screens.
On top of this there is an interview with an entomologist, a guide to writing your own insect poem, project ideas and lots of links to interesting websites.
The Bee is Not Afraid of Me was launch online on Friday 5th March with readings from some of the poets involved. What was great about the launch was getting to hear the poems read out loud especially the two by Anneliese Emmans Dean
The book launch is available to watch again on Facebook and the book is available from The Emma Press
Approximate reading age: aimed at children aged 8+
£8.99
Appleton Wildlife Diary by Alex White 