The Bees of Notre-Dame, written by Meghan P Browne and illustrated by E. B. Goodale. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 5 and up

 

" ... one April morning, the sun pushes
the chill from the air and says, 
"Come!
Stretch your wings wide.
Gather pollen in your pockets
and nectar in your belly! 
Make the colony strong with new life!""

You may remember the news stories when Notre-Dame Cathedral caught fire in April 2019. It was a story that brought great sorrow to people around the world. The damage was terrible, and the cost for rebuilding could not be calculated at that time. 

This story of the bees of Notre-Dame, whose hives had been there since 2013, begins in spring when all Paris is awakening to the warmth of the sun, and a release from the cold of winter. A young queen bee awakens to return to the nesting box on top of the cathedral. 

"Beneath the roof of a small pine box, workers 
dance to show a map of the sweetest gardens
in Paris, and the queen lays her eggs - 
one by one - in thousands of perfect hexagons
waxed by generations of bees
that came before her." 

No one knows what is about to happen. As the bees do the work they do, a fire breaks out. Notre-Dame catches fire, and the world watches as its familiar and beautiful spire collapses. As firefighters work tirelessly to save the cathedral, they also work together to save its many artifacts and the beehives. When the smoke clears, the work begins to rebuild the cathedral. Ms. Browne draws a parallel for the need to work together, just as the bees do each year to build their hive. 

Ms. Goodale uses 'monoprint, oil paint, gouache, collage and colored pencils' to create the warmth of Paris in spring, the flight of the bees as they return to the cathedral, and the smoky destruction of the iconic Paris landmark, before returning to the joy that comes with working together to rebuild. She bookends the story with before and after overhead views of the cathedral. They are of great interest.  

Back matter includes an author's note introducing Sibyle Moulin, the beekeeper, and provides further information about the fire and the bees. Both devastating and fascinating, this book allows young readers a glimpse at a recent historical event. A list for recommended reading is also appended.