Bee & Flea and the Puddle Problem - (Bee and Flea) by Anna Humphrey

About the Book

"It's been a busy week for the F.L.E.A. (Fenced-in Area Law Enforcement Agency) as Bee and Flea chase bug-related crime. But Bee worries it's Flea solving all the cases. When Gail the Snail delivers an invitation to an after-the-rain party, Flea closes up shop and drags Bee along. The worst part? The party is IN a puddle. Bee doesn't even know how to swim... but soon, she and Flea are sinking into the depths in their Scuba gear. First, they meet Copepod the Clown, who gives Bee a pie to the face... and a bouquet of bacteria balloons to make up for it. Then, in the midst of a game of water-bear musical chairs--WHOOSH!--Bee is swept off into the abyss. Bee is lost and fed up... when the balloons (which, it turns out, are alive) point out something nearby. It's Baby Water Bear, alone and frightened. This is Bee's chance to be useful: she'll return the baby to her mother! But on her way, Bee discovers a bigger problem... the water's edge is moving. The puddle is getting smaller. Why? With help from Gail the Snail, Bee pieces together the truth about the disappearing puddle as she tries to save her friends' home--and learns that she is a worthy agent, after all. Throughout this adventure, readers will meet the teeny-tiny critters that live in and around puddles (such as snails, water fleas, copepods, and mosquitoes). Kids will also learn about evaporation and the cycle of life in a light, understandable way. Seeing Bee persevering and accomplishing her goal is inspiring for readers, but resists being overly saccharine, since she can't save the puddle (but knows there will be more, after future rainstorms). Complemented by the dynamic black-and-white illustrations of Mike Deas, this story reunites the hilarious duo of Bee and Flea, and lets underling Bee take the reins... and earn her F.L.E.A. badge!"--

Book Synopsis

Insect investigators Bee and Flea are back for another sleuthing STEM adventure!

After a busy week of crime-fighting, F.L.E.A. (Fenced-in Area Law Enforcement Agency) investigators Bee and Flea are invited to an exciting event: an after-the-rain party, hosted in a puddle. Bee feels reluctant to go--she should be working on earning her official F.L.E.A. badge, and she doesn't even know how to swim!--but enthusiastic Flea drags her along.

The pair peruse the puddle party, until Bee spots a lost baby water bear huddled beneath a leaf. Returning the creature to its mother would definitely help her earn that badge! But on the way, she discovers a bigger problem. The puddle is getting smaller, and her friends' home is at risk of disappearing!

The second book in this engaging and funny chapter book series sees rookie agent Bee overcome challenges and crack her first case. Dynamic black-and-white illustrations bring the cast of underwater partygoers to life, while sneaky STEM content introduces readers to the water cycle and other environmental concepts.

Review Quotes

"Delivers on the protagonist's promise of 'exciting, educational, and occasionally gross' experiences."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"