My Review: QueenSpotting

Title: QueenSpotting: Meet the Remarkable Queen Bee and Discover the Drama at the Heart of the Hive

Author: Hilary Kearney

Publication Details: Published by Storey Publishing, LLC on April 30, 2019. The book is written in English and consists of 128 pages. The dimensions of the book are 7.3 x 0.75 x 8.3 inches. The ISBN-10 is 1635860377 and the ISBN-13 is 978-1635860375.

About the Book: “QueenSpotting” is an intriguing exploration into the world of bees, with a particular focus on the life of the queen bee. The book chronicles royal hive happenings such as The Virgin Death Match, The Nuptual Flight — when the queen mates with a cloud of male drones high in the air — and the dramatic Exodus of the Swarm from the hive.

Interactive Element: The author, Hilary Kearney, is an experienced beekeeper and professional “swarm catcher” who challenges readers to “spot the queen” with 48 fold-out visual puzzles. These puzzles feature vivid up-close photos of the queen hidden among her many subjects, providing an interactive and engaging element to the reading experience.

Adventures in Swarm Catching: The book also shares Kearney’s adventures in capturing these swarms from the strange places they settle, including a Jet Ski, a couch, a speed boat, and an owl’s nesting box. These stories add a layer of excitement and adventure to the book, making it a thrilling read.

Who is it for: “QueenSpotting” is not only fascinating and fun but also instructive, making it a great read for backyard beekeepers and nature lovers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper or someone who simply enjoys learning about the natural world, this book offers a unique and engaging perspective on the life of bees.

Return Policy: The book is eligible for return, refund, or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Availability: The book is in stock and ready for fast, free shipping with Amazon Prime.

My Opinion

Modern beekeepers with a functioning internet connection will already be well aware of Hillary Kearney. Running the very popular beekeeping blog “Girl Next Door Honey”, Kearney is known for chronicling her swarm catching endeavors and advocating for more natural and organic beekeeping practices.

Kearney’s book, QueenSpotting: Meet the Remarkable Queen Bee, is unique among my reviews because it is a practical guide to queen management (one of the most essential beekeeping duties) as well as a compelling book of interest to anyone who is interested in the lives of queen bees. Indeed, this is one of the books to be enjoyed even by those with no intention of becoming beekeepers.

The book takes a light tone throughout and this is what makes it so accessible. To this end also are included various fold-out puzzles, challenging the reader to find the queen bee hidden amid her many subjects. These puzzles are fun and will endear the book to the general reader, but they are also surprisingly good practice for developing that most important of beekeeping skills – finding the queen bee.

Queen bees are endlessly fascinating, so this book is off to a good start by the very nature of its subject. Yet, not only does it offer a practical guide to the many beekeeping duties and challenges that involve the queen bee, it would also make a fine gift for those people endlessly curious about the wonders of nature. Even those with the least interest in beekeeping cannot fail to find this fascinating. It would also be suitable for inquisitive children.

Although rich in detail regarding the queen’s role in a hive, the book does nevertheless lean towards beginners. Even so, the book is entertaining enough to be worth the purchase even if you are well versed in the topic already.

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