  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 06/01/1993 PreS-Gr 2-- Polacco has created another charming picture book featuring a child learning from a grandparent in an idyllic pastoral setting. Mary Ellen complains that she is tired of reading. Her grandfather replies that ``. . . this is just the right time to find a bee tree!'' They chase bees through the Michigan countryside, are soon joined, a la ``The Gingerbread Man,'' by a number of bystanders, and are finally led to the hive. At the end of the story, Grampa drops a bit of honey on a book's cover and tells Mary Ellen to compare its sweetness to that which is found inside: ``Just like we ran after the bees to find their tree, so you must also chase these things adventure, knowledge, and wisdom through the pages of a book!'' While the message may not be as emotionally resonant as the themes found in Thunder Cake (Philomel, 1990) or Babushka's Doll (S. & S., 1990), both the writing and artwork are fresh and inviting. There is a marvelous specificity to the names and places found within the story, and the pacing is appropriately reckless. The double-page spreads are done in Polacco's distinctive multimedium style and are beautifully composed. Her use of white space sets off the clear yet unusual colors. Well worth pursuing. --Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL - Copyright 1993 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 03/01/1993 When Mary Ellen complains to Grampa that she's tired of reading her book, he proposes they hunt for a bee tree. Assorted eccentric neighbors join them as they chase bees across the countryside, find the tree, build a smoky fire, gather the honey, and celebrate the occasion. Back at home, Grampa spoons a drop of honey onto Mary Ellen's book and bids her, Taste, saying, There's such sweetness inside books too . . . adventure, knowledge, wisdom. But these things do not come easily. You must pursue them. Just like we ran after the bees to find their tree, so you must also chase these things through the pages of a book! With a lively plot and a beautifully depicted backdrop of a rural Michigan community early in the twentieth century, this book delivers its lovely sentiment with originality and verve. (Reviewed Mar. 1, 1993) - Copyright 1993 Booklist. Loading...
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