Bugzee

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to my mother, Barbara, and my daughter Corrine, who continue to teach me that even during times of pain...life is sweet like honey and must go on. And, to everyone who knows how important it is to nurture a strong f bond…just like honey bees.

On a snowy day in December, baby Sage was born.

His great-grandmother, Grambee, gave him a nickname even before he came into the world. While he was still growing in his mama’s tummy, he became known as Bugzee.

Bugzee’s grandma and grandpa, who everyone called Lolli and Pops, wanted to find a way to honor him.

Lolli and Pops thought long and hard to figure out a way to celebrate the arrival of their first grandchild. They finally decided they would build him an apiary in their backyard.

Bugzee’s Mama knew how important honey bees are to all living things. She always said, “Without honeybees, our world as we know it will not survive.”

Lolli and Pops knew that building the apiary would be a great way to help the environment and honor Bugzee at the same time. By allowing Bugzee to grow up with the bees, Lolli and Pops knew they would be able to teach him how important bees are to the entire world so he would not to be afraid. And…once he was old enough, Lolli and Pops hoped that Bugzee would be able to share what he learns about bees with others.

So, Bugzee’s mom and dad and his Uncle Q bought Lolli and Pops some supplies to help them get started with beekeeping. They all knew they had a lot to learn before the bees arrived. There was much preparation to be made.

Lolli and Pops went to bee school and learned how to care for the bees.

They watched videos to learn how to use the equipment and supplies.

They learned how to wax the frames so the bees would have wax to build their honeycomb.

They painted the hives to protect them from bad weather.

They named the hive Bugzee’s Bees.

And…they prepared the perfect place in the backyard for Bugzee to watch the bees from a safe distance---for now.

After months of waiting, on a rainy day in April, Lolli and Pops were told the bees were on the way.

They were excited when their friend, Mr. Josh, arrived with the package of bees. Inside that package, there was an even smaller wire box. Inside that wire box was something very special—and it was alive.

It was the queen of the bees! Lolli and Pops thought she was so beautiful, with the bright, blue mark on her thorax.

The queen is the mother of all the bees in the hive. Without the queen, the bees can’t survive.

Mr. Josh helped Lolli and Pops place the special queen bee and the thousands of other bees into Bugzee’s beehive.

Lolli and Pops decided to give the queen bee a special name. They named her after not one—but three special queens—Bugzee’s great, great grandmothers.

They named her Queen KittyCatCora.

Queen KittyCatCora’s bee family waited anxiously for her to come out of her special wire box. The queen’s bee family helped her by eating away the candy plug that kept her in her special wire box.

On the third day, the sun was shining brightly. Lolli and Pops held their breath as they opened the hive. When they picked up the small, wire box they saw that…

Queen KittyCatCora had been released— they could now be called a colony.

Queen KittyCatCora can now fulfill her life’s work…ruling over her hive and building a strong colony that will thrive for generations of bees to come. And… Lolli and Pops, and one day Bugzee, will be there to lend the hive a hand whenever they need it.

The True Story of Bugzee and the Bees

By: Nocola Williams

Sage = Bugzy given to him by his Grandbee/Grandma

Mom = Loli

Father = Pops

Parents ^

Uncle Q

Mr. Josh

Hive = Bugzees Bees

The queen bee's name is kittykatcora

Problems: There is no true journey that will create a story of interest in bees, queen bees or bugsy.

We need an adventure, writing team. This feels bland and adventureless.

Can we re-write it?

*** Bugzee and the Bees Written by: Nocola Williams Hi! My name is Sage, but everyone calls me Bugzee. How did I get that nickname? It’s because I love bugs… and insects… and all sorts of creepy crawlers.

*My mom said that when I was a baby, my first word was “BEE.” I think honeybees are the most amazing creatures ever. I can tell you everything there is to know about them.

*My Grandma Lolli and Grandpa Pops even built a house for bees in our backyard. It’s called an apiary. They let me help take care of the honeybees as long as I stay a safe distance away from the apiary. They want to make sure I don’t get stung by a bee. Ouch!

*And besides…I don’t even have a proper beekeeping suit like Lolli and Pops. Maybe when I’m older, I will have my very own beekeeping suit. Then I will be able to get closer to the hives.

*I helped Pops create a special honeybee headquarters in the greenhouse—just for me. I’ve turned it into my own little clubhouse, complete with binoculars and a lookout area. From here I can watch the bees and still stay safe.

*Today, I am helping Pops put some frames together. These will hold the honeycomb that the bees will build to store their pollen and nectar. This is also the place where the queen bee will lay her eggs.

*I ask Pops the same question every day: “When can I come out and help you and Lolli in the hives?” His answer is always the same: “When you get a bit older.”

*My whole family is excited because a new package of bees will be arriving soon. “Will our mail carrier put the package in our mailbox?” I ask Pops.

*Pops chuckles. “That’s a good question,” he says. “Some beekeepers do have packages of bees shipped in the mail, but we get ours from our friend, Mr. Josh.”

Pops says that people like Mr. Josh want to share their bees with others. This way, more people can raise honeybee colonies and help the environment. I look over and see that Lolli is busy painting the boxes that will stack on top of one another to make the hive. “Hey Bugzee,” she says, waving me over, “come decorate these hive bodies for me. The bees will strengthen and protect the inside of the hive, but it is up to us to protect the outside of the hive from bad weather.” Lolli hands me the paints and brushes. “This paint job will be your own design. I am going to help your mom in the garden.” “Wow!” I run to my clubhouse and grab the design I have been working on for weeks. After a few hours, I stand back and admire my work. I clean up my mess and run to check on Lolli and Pops. It looks like everyone has been busy. “With the addition of the new hive next month, we are going to need a lot more native plants around here,” says mom. “The honeybees will get their nectar and pollen from the new flowers. “Can I help with the new bees when they come?” I ask Mom. She smiles. “Bugzee, you know how I feel about you going out to the apiary. I am just not convinced you are ready yet.” I feel sad. “Mom. I know I’m ready!” As we walk back to the house for lunch, I see something—a big box! “What’s this?” “Open it and find out,” says Lolli. I tear through the wrappings and lift the lid. Underneath all that tissue paper is… a suit…a beekeeping suit…for me? “Bugzee, you have proven to us through your hard work and your willingness to learn that you are ready to come out to the apiary and help. The hive you helped us build today is just for you and your new package of bees.” I don’t know what to say. This is the best day of my life. I can’t wait to help take care of my very own hive!

In Lolli and Pops’ backyard

Sits Sage’s apiary.

Bugzee’s hive is the home

For the queen and all her bees.

And so we have come

To this story’s end,

But the Adventures of Bugzee and the Bees

Is now about to begin.

Vocabulary in this story:

Apiary

Hive

Frames