Because of a Bee by Lola M. Schaefer. Illustrated by Frenci Sanna

In this marvelously formatted and illustrated picture book narrated with simple text for very young children, author Lola Schaefer and illustrator Frenci Sanna relate the intricate connectedness of God’s created world: “Because of a bee, / a strawberry. / Because of a strawberry, / a butterfly. / Because of a butterfly, celery.” They go on to portray the connections between celery, an aphid, a hummingbird, an avocado, a fly, a radish, a wasp, a sunflower, a bee, and a feast of fruits, vegetables, honey, jam, and more.

In extensive endnotes, Schaefer explains what pollinators are and how insects, animals, wind, and people are pollinators. She also spells out the interconnectedness of the plants and insects featured in the book and offers tips on what children can do to assist the pollinator population. Suggestions include growing a variety of plants and shrubs that attract pollinators, growing native plants, and using natural pest control instead of chemical pesticides. She writes, “Just as pollinators need our help to survive, we cannot survive without pollinators.”

Christian parents who spend time reading and enjoying Because of a Bee with their kids will have an opportunity to talk about how great God is, how his creation is lavish, beautiful, and intricately designed, and how taking care of the world is one way to show love for God.

(Chronicle Books)