The Swarm that Swarmed by Fernanda Lazzaro and Qi Zhan
Published: FreisenPress, 2018
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Three kids in a charming small town encounter a bee swarm. They learn a few facts about bees at the library before meeting up with a local farmer to get the answers they’re looking for.
The Swarm that Swarmed is a pleasant story set in an inviting location. The story initially meanders but gives the reader time to enjoy some amusing character interactions. Vivian is a flawed, Type-A child bursting with personality and her laid-back friends are an entertaining contrast.
The illustrations are lush works of art. From the friendly, downtown streets to the bucolic neighborhood parks, every page looks like a place I’d like to live in. Zhan’s watercolors pop with color, but they’re supported by strong character designs and stylized surroundings. The bees in the science facts portion are particularly adorable.
The author stays away from rhyme, which is very refreshing, but there were some layout issues. Centered text triggers my brain to look for rhymes and meter, and the lengthy copy would have been better served with standard left justification.
It’s enough to recommend the book to see the work of another underrated artist, but for children who love nature facts, this was a lovely presentation of the skinny on bees.