The Honeybee Highway - (Disney Planet Possible) by Shanna Upchurch (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

WATERCRESS gets an ecological twist in this celebration of honeybees, agriculture, family, and--above all--kid power in the latest addition to Disney Planet Possible Books.

An eighteen-wheeler rumbles to life in Florida, loaded with more than four hundred beehives. Destination? The almond orcahrds of California, where millions of blossoms are waiting.

Seven-year-old Joey J isn't just along for the ride. She's got work to do. With Uncle Mike and expert driver José, she races through pit stops to keep the bees from flying away, keeps them cool under the blazing sun, and holders her breath at the final inspection site.

Because Joey J knows one thing for sure: These bees matter. They're part of an expansive network of commercial honeybees crisscrossing the country to pollinate food for people all over the world.

After four long days, the team arrives at the orchards. As her bees fill the sky, Joey J can't help but wonder--do they have any idea how important they are?

With the lyricism and family relationships of favorites like WATERCRESS, this stunning debut sheds light on a little-known piece of our world's food supply and celebrates the magnificent honeybee.

About the Author

Shanna Upchurch is a children's book author whose stories celebrate the wonders of nature and the beauty of humanity. Her memories of childhood include barefoot romps through the woods, observing crawfish and tadpoles in the creeks, and spying on families of cottontail rabbits nesting in the backyard. All of which gave Shanna a deep appreciation for the natural world. A native of the Midwest, she currently lives outside of Dallas with a bunch of chickens and children where she manages a small homestead. Her favorite part is tending to the bees, of course! She is well-known in the community as the person who will throw on a bee suit at any time of day to lovingly relocate a swarm or inspect a hive. Her own honeybees are quite spoiled and produce rich, clover honey on account of the fact that Shanna won't let anyone mow the back pasture. Shanna believes storytelling can plant the seeds of change, encouraging the next generation to cherish human connection and protect the planet.

Dagmar Smith is an illustrator based in Virginia. Her work explores themes of idyllic daily life, sisterhood, and a quiet side of love.
You can often find her holed up at a cafe with a hot drink. If she's not there, scribbling away in a sketchbook, Dagmar is probably hanging with her calico cat, Penelope.