Betsy and Bon: Three Sweet Stories by Simon Howe

 There are, as the subtitle tells you, three stories in this little volume. Each begins with a similar opening sentence:

The Hive

"Down at the bottom of the garden where flowers grow tall and roots grow deep, Betsy and Bon built a hive."

This story is about making and including all friends who have delightful names: Frogly (frog), Harrington Mouse (mouse), Penny Spots (ladybug), Butter Benjamin (butterfly) and Spencer Snail. All are welcome.

The Good Idea

"Down at the bottom of the garden, where the sun is warm and the breeze is cool, Betsy and Bon were relaxing in the shade."

This story is about resolving differences, and I love the way they play hide and seek (check other books about this game).

The Sunny Spot

"Down at the bottom of the garden, where the buds are small and the blooms are big, Betsy and Bon were searching for the perfect spot to have afternoon tea."

If you share this book in your family with your small reading companion it would be fun to make some scones, grab some jam and a picnic rug and head outside to read the final story.

Blurb: Down at the bottom of the garden, where flowers grow tall and roots grow deep, Betsy and Bon play in a world full of whimsy and imagination. They try to find friendly bees to live in their wonderful hive, decide on a game they will both enjoy, and have a picnic in the perfect sunny spot.

Everything about the production of this book is appealing - it is a small hardcover volume, the full colour illustrations, the chapters or short stories which are short and could easily be read as a family read aloud - one each night for three nights, and this book even has one of those bookmark ribbons.

Simon Howe spoke to Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words. I also wondered if Betsy and Bon were children or bees.  Here is the answer from Simon Howe:

When I drew that original picture, the same question occurred to me: are they children in costumes or are they actually bees who look like children? They talk about being bees. And they even talk about being able to fly, but we never see them do it. Personally, I imagine them as children in an imaginary play-space. But I don’t think the stories prove this. The question is open. They may very well be bees.

Full of nostalgia and charm, this deluxe hardcover collection of low-conflict short stories is the perfect gift for young readers. The Little Bookroom Melbourne

It is a little book (and I mean that in every sense because it is the right size for small hands) that harks back to gentler times and vintage favourites such as Cicely Mary Barker’s flower fairies, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, Jan Wade and May Gibbs with their darling little inhabitants, and their common themes of nature and its beauty, companionship, gentle pleasures and kindness. Just so Stories

Huge thanks to UQP for sending a review copy. There is a link to Teacher's Notes on the publisher page but really I would just read this book either in your family or to your Preschool or Kindergarten group with no need for deep analysis. 

Post update: Simon Howe spoke about his book at a Gleebooks Kids event last weekend. Things I discovered:

• The illustrations were created with digital tools (many of us at the event agreed that was a surprise)
• Simon makes clay versions his character's heads so he can draw different angles
• In each story Betsy and Bon are perhaps far apart from their friends, but the end of each story celebrates a coming together.
• The flowers in the story are reminiscent of an English cottage garden but with the addition of one Australian reference - gumnuts. I noticed milkweed; foxgloves; and sorrel. Simon especially loves the word milkweed!
• The names for his characters came to him very quickly - he loves playing with language and delights in the sounds of words like elderberry cordial or the name Harrington (for his mouse character).

After his talk I thought about the way the story is set in a giant garden and that made me think of the classic book The Borrowers.

You will find this book in your local independent book shop next week (1st September).  I previously talked about his book from Simon Howe:

The House that walked away

One series I thought of to read after Betsy and Bon is the Squeak Street books by Emily Rodda.

Other companion books:

Houndsley and Catina

Honey and Bear

Vicky and June

Bear and Bird

Mouse and Spoon

Cornbread and Poppy