Virgin Islands Book Highlight: In the Beehive by Andria D. Flax

Front Cover of In the Beehive published in 2024

Bees are essential to our lives! In the Beehive is a book that perfectly describes the importance of bees, how they work as a community, and how we use the liquid gold that they produce. 

The author is Mrs. Andria D. Flax from the Virgin Islands. She has published several books, including Sharing the Vision, A Walk through the Valley, and The Way We Were.

Back Cover of In the Beehive

In the Beehive provides a fresh approach for children to learn about bees. The text is written as a poem with each stanza prominently displayed on a page. Bee-inspired photographs also capture the reader, with many featuring the apiary activities of Virgin Gold, the Flax’s beekeeping and honey business in the Virgin Islands.

The book is ideal for early readers and teenagers because the content is easy to read while imparting knowledge. The book has showcased on the reading list for Grade 3 students in the Virgin Islands.

The book begins:

 

I hear loud, buzzing sounds

all around me

then I spot tiny insects

on a nearby tree.

The first stanza engages our senses of hearing and sight, and the poem continues with appeals to our senses of smell, taste, and touch. Readers get a clear description of the queen, drone, and worker bees, and their roles. It further describes where bees prefer to settle and the role and precautions of a beekeeper. Readers also learn how we consume honey in our homes.

An Excerpt from In the Beehive

The book ends with a reminder about the role of each bee and our love for honey.

I recommend this book and encourage you to visit Mrs. Flax’s website to order your copy: https://www.andriaflax.com/. 

If you’re in the Virgin Islands, please ensure that you order Virgin Gold honey!

Honey from Virgin Gold