I received this book at no cost from the publisher
BEE GONE: A POLITICAL PARABLE by Constance Corcoran WilsonPublished by Quad Cities' Press on July 31, 2019
Pages: 44
Goodreads
In the sixth book in the children’s illustrated rhyming series “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats” (www.TheXmasCats.com) the hardy troupe of Good Samaritan cats who go about helping animals in distress are called upon to help bees living in a hive when a power-hungry drone wants to overthrow the Queen Bee and take control of the hive. There are pros and cons to overthrowing the queen. The drone’s success, using some underhanded methods, creates chaos. As the book says, “So the hive lost its honey, its Queen and its money. It was really a mess, and that isn’t funny. By the end of this parable, the moral that emerges is that we must select leaders wisely and each of us must participate in the democratic process. Elections have consequences; it is important that the voice of the people be heard in a democratic society.
My Thoughts
This is an adorable book about things gone wrong. It has nicely worded rhymes that are easy for beginning readers (and that uncle you have to host during the holidays) to understand what is going on (wrong) with the world today. The illustrations are hilarious and very fitting. The story follows Donnie Bee (the drone) as he rampages through the White House causing destruction and distress wherever he goes. It captures current events nicely.
BEE GONE: A POLITICAL PARABLE is the story of Donnie Drone, an obnoxious bee in the hive, who lusts for power and seeks to oust the Queen Bee so that he can seize control. He can’t succeed on his own, so he enlists the help of another hive that has been less fruitful.
As the rhyming, full color illustrations put it, “So, the hive lost its money, its Queen and its honey. It was really a mess, and that isn’t funny.”
The illustrations by Hallmark illustrator Gary McCluskey are on-target and funny enough that you will find yourself chuckling through this short read. You’ll enjoy recognizing other famous faces along the way, and, if you’re not that sold on the current occupant of the Oval Office, you’ll relate on a rational, reasonable level to the truths contained in the story. Truth is sometimes in short supply from DJT, but the cautionary tale contained here rings with truth.
Those who chant “Lock her up!” at Trump rallies will not enjoy the book’s message. They might enjoy the illustrations. Or not. It’s really not meant to be anything but a parable, which is a tale, usually involving an animal, that illustrates a basic truth or religious or moral principle.
My Thoughts
This is political satire at it’s best. It is also in an easy to understand and perfectly illustrated, to sum up today’s events. The story tells of Donnie Bee who is a drone and his hatred for the Queen Bee Hilary. In fact, Donnie Bee is still yelling “Lock Her Up” to this day. This is easy to read and the words are simple enough for that one uncle who insists Donnie Bee is the one. I really enjoyed this quick little read.
About Constance (Connie) Corcoran Wilson
Connie has published many works representing a variety of genres. Wilson’s first book (1989), published by Performance Learning Systems, Inc. of Emerson, New Jersey, Training the Teacher As A Champion, put forth the teaching techniques and principles taught by the nation’s largest teacher training firm. Written by Wilson in collaboration with PLS founder Joseph Hasenstaab, the book gives an insight into the effective teaching practices of successful teachers, those techniques included in that organization’s Project T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Effectiveness and Classroom Handling). Connie taught at the elementary level for 20 years, taught writing at 6 IA/IL colleges, and founded the second Sylvan Learning Center in the state of Iowa in 1986.
Since then, Connie has published 30 titles in a variety of genres, with the Christmas Cats series written with and for her then-six-year-old granddaughters, Ava and Elise. (Illustrations by Gary McCluskey).
The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats was one of 7 books singled out by the CWA (Chicago Writers’ Association) as one of the Best Books of the Year by a Chicago author in 2014 at its annual award ceremony.
Connie’s adult fare has won “Shelf Unbound” Page-Turner of the Year awards, NABE (National Association of Book Entrepreneurs) Pinnacle Awards, E-lit awards, LuckyCinda awards, Silver Feather Awards as Writer of the Year from the IWPA (Illinois Women’s Press Association) in 2012 and 2014 and, Midwest Writing Center’s Writer of the Year Award in 2010 as well as a Writer’s Digest awards (screenplay). She was also named the Yahoo Content Producer of the Year for Politics in 2008 after following the presidential election of 2008.
Connie maintains two short story series and a novel series as Connie Corcoran Wilson, but uses her full legal name, Constance Corcoran Wilson, on her children’s series.
Website: www.WeeklyWilson.com
Christmas Cats Website: http://www.thexmascats.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnieCWilson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connie.c.wilson?fref=ts
Connie on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/conniecwilson/
Buy Christmas Cats Flee the Bee by Constance Corcoran Wilson
Buy Bee Gone: Political Parable by Connie Corcoran Wilson
Giveaway Christmas Cats Flee the Bee and Bee Gone
This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of book, one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends November 29, 2019, midnight pacific time.
Bee Gone and Christmas Cats Flee the Bee Web Tour Schedule
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 12 Both Books Review & Kick off
Raymond Amazon Nov 13 Bee Gone Review
Katy Goodreads Nov 15 Christmas Cats Review
Mary BookHounds Nov 18 Both Books Review & Interview
Jas International Book Reviews Nov 19 Christmas Cats Review
WriterGideon Goodreads Nov 21 Christmas Cats Review
Leonide Martin Blog Nov 22 Bee Gone Review
Amanda (Cissa) Amazon Nov 25 Both Books Review
I am so glad you enjoyed both ‘The Christmas Cats Flee the Bee’ and ‘Bee Gone’!
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