Colette: The Solitary Bee - by Jean-François Sénéchal (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Anyone can make it on their own -- just ask Colette! She's a solitary bee who enjoys her own company more than anyone else's and thrives on her independence. Colette can do just about anything by herself: day-to-day tasks, cleverly navigating the elements, and even setting out on solo adventures. But sometimes, even the most solitary bees need other insects around -- like when things don't go as planned, or when they've simply got a good story to tell"--

Book Synopsis

A heartwarming introduction to reading for kids ages three and up about how even solitary beings need people too, from Jean-François Sénéchal and Pascale Bonenfant

Anyone can make it on their own--just ask Colette! She's a solitary bee who enjoys her own company more than anyone else's and thrives on her independence. Colette can do just about anything by herself: day-to-day tasks, cleverly navigating the elements, and even setting out on solo adventures. But sometimes, even the most solitary bees need other insects around--like when things don't go as planned, or when they've simply got a good story to tell. Colette: The Solitary Bee is an adorable, heartwarming tale that shows us we can be proud to do things by ourselves, but it's also pretty great to share our lived experiences with those around us.

Review Quotes

"Colette is an engaging tale that celebrates the joys of independence and solitude while gently encouraging individualistic readers to embrace the warmth of community . . . There are lots of fun little details for readers to discover and giggle at in this uplifting, memorable story about Colette choosing to live her best buzzy life, whether that means being self-sufficient, sociable or a life-affirming mix of the two."--Bookpage

"A refreshing take on being OK with your own company . . . It's less a lesson-heavy story than an adventure that celebrates the benefits of independence and the joy of coming together to make life a little easier - and a lot more fun."--Montreal Review of Books

"Colette is a solitary bee who loves being on her own and adores her independence. One day Colette realizes that it's okay to sometimes want to be around others -- to share fun stories or to help when things don't go to plan -- and that it doesn't make her any less independent."--CBC Books

"It's good to help others and let them help you; solitary is also fine. Fanciful cartoonlike drawings . . . are colorful and fun."--School Library Journal

"Loners, only children, and the singularly single, rejoice: Colette the bee is here to tell your story! . . . The book looks like a classic, and it will very likely prove to be, thanks to its charming protagonist. Invite Colette to your next storytime or include her in a shared one-on-one reading experience; she'll be equally welcome in both, and her adventures should be enjoyed by everyone, from the solitary to the gregarious. As delightfully sweet and pure as honey."--Kirkus* starred review

About the Author

As the son of two teachers, Jean-François Sénéchal grew up around books. After studying anthropology for a time, he ultimately gravitated back to his first love, devoting himself entirely to literature. His stories--exploring societal issues such as exclusion and inequality for audiences of children and adolescents--have garnered him various honors, including the 2017 Joseph S. Stauffer Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, and a Governor General's Award for children's literature. Pascale Bonenfant uses drawing, collage, watercolor, and screen printing to bring her playful works of art to life. After studying design and visual arts at Laval University, she deepened her love for illustration by becoming a professor of graphic design. In recent years, her work has appeared in a wide range of exhibitions and publications, including more than a dozen books. She lives in Québec City, Canada.