The Plight of Queen Bee

Simone Fairchild
A Better Be Write Publisher (2005)
ISBN 0-9767732-3-6
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (5/06)

When someone plunders Queen Bee’s lilacs and steals her nectar, the maid calls in Detective Brown to help the distraught ruler stop the culprit. The upset queen feels so disgruntled that she threatens to have Detective Brown’s head if he doesn’t solve the mystery quickly. But the case proves most baffling with an old tennis shoe as the only clue.

Several days later, when the queen calls Brown in for a report she threatens him about his head again. With his life on the line, Brown feels motivated to solve the crime. He stays up all night to crack the case. Before he captures the thief he is deceived, almost bested in a swordfight, and nearly outwitted by the crafty crook. But his successful efforts are amply rewarded by a delighted Queen Bee.

The rhyming prose and lyrical feel to this picture book should appeal to young children and the adults who read to them. The bright, jewel- colored illustrations serve up a visual treat for young eyes. Illustrator Pamela Marie Key created enchanting pictures rich with vivid detail. I enjoyed the pictures even more than the well-written who-dunnit about the queen’s stolen nectar. The four activity pages of at the end of the book form an appealing addition to a fun little mystery.

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