Bev The Bee team Shaun, Larry, Mike and Katie.
The most important insect in our world is the bee. Responsible for so much of our food, the bee just gets on with it every single day. Beverley The Bee is a book and a song put together by Whangamata locals to honour this legend of our food chain. The book and the song were inspired one day while walking along Whangamata Beach where the author – Shaun Fay discovered on the tideline some dead bees. Bee-ing the bee nut that he was he wondered why. He learnt that strong offshore winds often push bees out to sea. In fact, ‘one big puff can be more than enough’. But while all looks lost at sea for Beverley The Bee, she spots the local charter boat Te Ra and is saved. And that was the Bee-ginning of the idea.
The song is a labour of love by well known, Whangamata muso Mike Frogley. Once the music and words were finalised, they booked an Auckland Studio where Simon Dallow’s brilliant 15-year-old niece, Katie Dallow sang it. Once they were happy with the song, it was time to get the book happening. Shaun contacted famous Danish Illustrator-Emma Perrin, whom he met in Copenhagen and now lives in Akaroa. ‘Yes, love too’, she said. They then called Thames Printer, The Printworks who give them a great price for the book and the rest is history.
Here’s how it works. You can watch the video on You Tube. Beverley the Bee and if you have the book you can also read it with your young ones as you both singalong.
Like to win a book?
Here at The Informer, we have two copies of the book to give away just answer this question on our Facebook Page. What colour is the man’s surfboard?
Books also available at Discover Whangamata – The Info Centre or from Shaun. Email: shaun@besidetheseaside.co.nz
