When Groundwood first offered me the opportunity to review How to Bee by Bren MacDibble I was intrigued. Normally I try to stick to reviewing books by Canadian authors but there was something about the description of this novel. It sounded so intriguing. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit shutting everything down, including the Groundwood offices with my copy inside. I figured it was just not going to come and then added it to my hold list at the library.

What a wonderful treat when this incredible story arrived in my mailbox. I completely fell in love with Bren MacDibble’s eclectic and fascinating cast of characters. Written in short incredibly accessible chapters, I defy anyone to not fall completely in love with this story. Set at a time in the future when the bees have all but become extinct and children have become the bees, fertilizing the fruit trees to feed the Urbs (city folk). Although a dystopian setting it almost reads like historical fiction which I found just added another layer of interest to this beautiful story.

Bren MacDibble has created a strong, independent, loyal, protective character in Peony. She is inspiring and the complete opposite of myself when I was young. Maybe that’s why I loved her so much. She is someone to aspire to, someone I hope my daughter, affectionately called The Bee, can see parts of herself shining through although she is still a little young for this story. Peony is a total mighty girl. A hard worker, a fierce protector, and a dreamer. She knows the power of family and the need to keep a promise and see things through to their end. How to Bee had me wiping away tears a different times throughout. 

I will say it did take a couple chapters to understand some of the colloquialisms in the story. Since the author is Australian, there is a little slang to get used to but it did not take more that a couple chapters to settle into the story. How to Bee is a story you will be thinking about long after the final chapter.