Sting

Raymond Huber (author)

Walker Books, Australia: 2009; 148pp

ISBN: 9781921150890

Genres: adventure, animals

Issues: environment, identity

Ziggy is not called Oddbee for nothing. Unlike the other drones in the hive he is curious, active and always on the lookout for an adventure.

Ziggy likes to go outside the hive and is convinced that, if only they'd let him, he'd be quite capable of helping with any of the many tasks assigned to different groups within the hive. As a drone Brother he is expected to eat, sleep and live a life of lazy self-indulgence. But there's a great wide world out there and Ziggy is far more interested in testing his wings against the winds of fortune than dozing his way through his short life. On his explorations he encounters aggressive wasps full of Bad Attitude, busy native bees who live a more private lifestyle, the gentle Bumblebees and a Carder bee, a rather dangerous looking fellow.

When his Queen sends him in an errand to another Hive, Ziggy finds himself caught up in the Human world. Will he ever stop being the Oddbee and find his true family? And will he be able to help his old Hive and new friends from being overwhelmed by the fearsome swarm of black Africanised bees?

An unusual and light-hearted narrative filled with interesting facts about a very intelligent species, ‘Sting' is charming ‘insect adventure' that will delight imaginative readers, being both informative and entertaining. Huber's sound research and personal interest in bees mean that Ziggy's adventures are grounded in solid fact - even if bees don't normally use English to communicate! Good fun.