Hive Tour: The Insider's Guide to Honey Bees

I bought this for my nature-loving 8 year old but I think I enjoyed it as much-maybe more? Bees are way more interesting than I realized and now I am giving people bee facts like that kid from Jerry Maguire.Book works for a variety of ages— some big vocabulary words more suited for a 4th grader, and great photos and a find-it strategy that would work for younger kids too. Would be fun as a spring-themed or holiday gift for kids.

This is a fantastic book for any beekeeper, but especially for those who haven't been beeks for too long. Part of the problem in keeping bees is that you don't always know for sure what you are looking at when inspecting the hive--they LOOK ok. Are they really OK? What is THAT? The photos are first rate and will answer those questions. This book doesn't really tell you what to do about any issues you see, but there are other great books out there for that (or contact an experienced beek or your local bee inspector). What it does do, is help with that all-important issue of identification--plus, it is great fun to look at all those pics and their captions and just enjoy the wonder of those fascinating creatures called honeybees!

As a backyard beekeeper, I have often felt frustrated by my inability to adequately describe to visitors what it is going on inside the hives they see in my garden. This book is the solution! I will reach for it whenever an interested guest starts asking questions. I think the book is a fantastic gift for my family and friends of all ages who have expressed an interest in learning more about my bees. Thank you, Frank and Phil, for filling a gap in my ability to share the wonder and fun of beekeeping with others.

When I started beekeeping nearly 40 years ago, how I wish I had this marvelous book that so effectively illustrates and explains what I was observing when I entered the honey bees' world. The authors have done a great service for beekeepers (new and experienced) and anyone who marvels at and appreciates the amazing honey bee. The images are simply stunning, and the simple straight forward narrative explains what's going on. Congratulations to Phil and Frank.

This new book provides excellent information for explaining the biology and lives of honey bees individually and in their colonies. The pictures are large and clear, the captions are easy to understand, and and there are a helpful Glossary and Index. Many nature centers have observation hives that fascinate visitors. "Hive Tour: The Insider's Guide to Honey Bees" provides an engaging way of explaining what people are seeing in those hives. Maureen (beekeeper since 2013)

This beautifully photographed and clearly set out book is the perfect guide to investigating a hive. I shall be recommending this to the Science teachers in the school I work in. Creating this degree of familiarity with bees can only help with the critical work of saving them as a species.

I kept bees for five years and still learned a lot from this book. My daughter, in fifth grade, also loves it. You can learn about behavior, anatomy, life cycle, etc. Highly recommended for young and old!!

A fascinating look into the lives of bees. Photos are amazing. Great explanation. A wonderful read for adults and children.