Honey Review

Synopsis from Penguin Young Readers:

This sweet companion to David Ezra Stein’s award-winning Leaves celebrates the joy of savoring something you love.

Bear is ravenous when he wakes up from his winter sleep and has one thing on his mind: honey! Alas, it is too soon for honey, so Bear tries hard to be patient. The world around him is waking up, too, and he soon remembers all the other things he loves, like warm grass, berries, and rain. He’s almost content, until, one day, he hears a welcome buzzing sound . . . and finally it is time for Bear to delight in the thing he relishes above all others–and it is as warm, golden, sweet, and good as he remembered.

About: Honey is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein. It will be published on 3/27/18 by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, hardcover, 32 pages. The genres are children’s, picture books, and fiction. This book is intended for readers ages 2 to 5, grades K and under. According to Penguin’s website, “Nancy Paulsen Books launched its first hardcover list in Fall 2011. The imprint publishes fifteen books a year and focuses on eye-opening, often funny picture books and fiction from diverse and distinct voices, especially stories that are inventive and emotionally satisfying.” Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading Honey for my 6 years old son as a bedtime story on 3/4/18 and we finished it that same night. This book is fantastic! Craving and remembering our favorite foods is what we love to do when we are hungry. I like how Bear sees his favorite food everywhere he looks. I like his upbeat attitude, instead of complaining about the wait, he finds something else to do to occupy his time. I like the illustrations, especially the ones that takes over both pages of the book!

In this book, readers will follow Bear as he remembers honey, his favorite food to eat as his stomach begins to growl. Everywhere he looks and everything he sees reminds him of honey. The grass smells sweet and the tree sap is sticky reminds him of honey. He looks into the bee hives but the honey is not ready to eat. He tries to forget by playing in the rain and splashing in the waterfall. The day he heard of a buzz, he ran for honey and savor it all up to the last lick.

A well written story! This book is excellent for kids without a sibling or a friend by their side at all hours. Bear is alone, remembering the taste of honey. Since honey is not ready, Bear finds fun with water and nature. He runs in the meadow and plays in the water. He discovers how good the water feels. I like how this book encourages kids to be independent and have fun even if alone. I like Bear’s excitement for when his favorite food is ready to eat. I highly recommend everyone to read this book, definitely a plus for kids!

Pro: remembering, 5 senses, illustrations, positive attitude, having fun alone

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository or Penguin’s Website

About the Author:

Award-winning children’s author and illustrator David Ezra Stein was born in Brooklyn, New York. His works include Interrupting Chicken, Leaves, Monster Hug!, Tad and Dad, Pouch!, and Ol’ Mama Squirrel. In addition to winning the Ezra Jack Keats award in 2008 and a Caldecott Honor in 2011, Stein’s books have been named to several major book lists, such as Publishers Weekly’s Best Book of the Year, Kirkus Reviews’ Editor’s Choice, and School Library Journal’s Best Book. He lives in Kew Gardens, New York, with wife, Miriam, and their son, Sam. http://davidezrastein.com (Info obtained from Penguin’s Website, book’s illustrations obtained from Edelweiss, and photo obtained from the author’s website).

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine