The Book of Bee

A timeless tale buzzing with heart and honeybees about finding your purpose, questioning rules, and the strange sweetness of being, from Newbery Honor-winning author Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

In the beginning, there was a meadow.

And in that meadow, a hive, and in that hive, a young queen bee emerged from her cramped wax cell.

When Queen Bee dares to defy the rules of nature, the hive hurls her into a world buzzing with the kind of peril you can only face with a stout heart. She meets a sharp-tongued worker bee with crooked antennae, a dog who’s fighting his instincts in order to be a good boy, a runaway mouse with terrible timing, and two crows who raucously caw at others misfortune.

Together (though not always willingly), they discover that nature isn't always fair, that courage doesn’t need to be perfect, and that there are, in fact, a hundred ways to die — but many more ways to live.

Brought to life with black-and-white illustrations, this warm, witty, and wonderfully subversive novel hums with the heart of The Wild Robot and the poignant lyricism of The Tale of Despereaux, proving that even the smallest creature can make a mighty buzz.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs