Author: Anna Humphrey
Illustrator: Mike Deas
© Date: 2023
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Pages: 119
Chapters: Yes
Illustrations: Yes, many page layouts do not have an illustration
Publisher Recommended Age: 7-10 years
Bonus Activities at End of Book: Yes, multiple choice quiz on bug facts to test if you are F.L.E.A. agent worthy
Summary from Book: Something lively is happening in this backyard puddle…and Flea is ready to party!
After a rainy week of watching flea solve garden crimes, Bee is determined to crack a case. But to her dismay, Flea declares instead that it’s time to take a break and head to the puddle party!
Not only does Bee have more important things to do than go puddle hopping, she also has a big problem: she can’t swim!
Despite Bee’s deep fear of water, Flea insists they suit up and dive into the party with the puddle locals-a copepod clown, bacteria balloons, and water bears playing musical chairs.
Then, in the midst of Flea’s fun and her own water worries, Bee discovers and even bigger problem: her new puddle friends are in danger, and it’s up to her, F.L.E.A. Sub-Agent in Training, to come to the rescue.
A splashy second installment of the Bee & Flea series, from acclaimed author Anna Humphrey.
Page Pig Thoughts: If your child has a love for bugs, or maybe just an interest in bugs, then this book may make their day. The story has species appropriate facts sprinkled throughout, or at least they seem appropriate, bugs aren’t my specialty. Flea drinks blood smoothies and Bee works hard and is afraid of water. The story gives us a glimpse into the lives swimming around in the puddles that form in our neighborhoods. I appreciated the wittiness of the bug story, but never got overly into the story. I could see some children really getting into these books though.
Family Unit: Bee and Flea are F.L.E.A. agents together.
Conflict/Social Issues:
- Bee wants to keep working, but Flea wants to party.
Positive Items:
- Flea is good at having fun and living in the moment.
- Bee works hard, but learns that having a little fun every now and then is okay.
Items of Interest:
- Bee has a hard time believing that relaxing is okay. Flea seems a little too focused on fun to notice what is going on around her.
- Flea does not seem to do the best job of watching out for Bee to make sure that she is safe, but maybe Flea just trusts Bee to learn and find her own way.
- A baby water bear gets separated from its mother, Bee rescues it and brings it back to its mother.
- Bee learns that even if the puddle dries up, life will continue on. The next generation of lives that come from the ones they just met at the puddle party will be in the next puddle party.
Other Books in Series (At Time of Posting):
- Bee & Flea and the Compost Caper
- Bee & Flea and the Fall Fiasco