Because of a Bee

With engaging die-cut pages and simple text, this stunning picture book shows young readers how important bees are to our ecosystems and how these busy pollinators help us grow our food!

Because of a bee, a strawberry sprouts, a butterfly sips, celery grows, and we can all gather to share a feast around our table!

The interconnected networks between pollinators and plants can be quite complex, but this deceptively simple picture book showcases the spiraling circles of nature and the importance of even the tiniest creature in all our lives. Wander through the farm to learn how every fruit, vegetable, bug, and bird connect to each other before food arrives on your plate. A bee is just the beginning.

EASY TO UNDERSTAND: Because of a pollinator, a plant. And because of a plant, another pollinator. And on and on the wonderful, natural process goes. All kids have to do is open this book's die-cut cover and flip the cleverly designed pages to follow along and become experts on pollination!

POLLINATORS ARE IMPORTANT: Bees and other pollinators have seen a scary decline over the past few decades, making it vital to share information with young learners to educate and encourage them to spread awareness and contribute to conservation efforts.

CURRICULAR CONNECTION: Kids learn about animal habitats and biomes in kindergarten, and they also learn about food chains, conservation, and endangered species in elementary school. This book and its backmatter will introduce students to a farm's worth of information on the animal species that pollinate our food sources and how we can continue fighting for their conservation, all of which complement the curricula perfectly.

BEAUTIFUL BOOK: From the award-winning author of Because of an Acorn and the illustrator of My Friend Earth, this engaging and gorgeously illustrated book will stand out on nonfiction shelves in libraries and classrooms and make an irresistible volume for kids to flip through again and again at home.

Perfect for:

• Kids who love insects, science, and nature
• Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking a beautiful and informative picture book
• Librarians, in-school educators, and homeschoolers seeking nonfiction books with STEM content
• Anyone looking for a book about nature's interconnectedness and how pollinators help with our food sources
• Fans of Because of an Acorn, the Over and Under series, and other popular nature books for kids

Author: Lola M. Schaefer
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 05/19/2026
Pages: 36
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 9.18h x 9.06w x 0.35d
ISBN: 9781797230931
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
School Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 66
Booklist 03/01/2026

About the Author

Lola M. Schaefer is the author of many award-winning children's books. She lives in the mountains of northern Georgia, where she loves to take hikes in the woods and marvel at the natural world, including the busy, buzzy bees. When Lola isn't writing, she enjoys visiting classrooms and working with children as an author in residence. You can visit her online at www.lolaschaefer.com.

Frenci Sanna is originally from Sardinia, Italy, where their mother recently started keeping bees. Frenci earned a degree in architecture in Italy and studied design and illustration in Germany, Switzerland, New York, and London. They are currently based in Berlin. You can learn more about them at www.francescasanna.com.