STEMville Stories: The Bee Connection

Ages 6 to 8, Grades 1 to 3

Welcome to Stemville! A town where lots of weird and wonderful characters live side by side. It's not always a breeze but even when there are sparks, there is plenty to learn.

It's a quiet day at the office for private detective, Mason B. C handler in down town Bug Borough, the small but not overlooked area of Stemville. All of a sudden, Mason B’s life is turned upside down when a huge jar comes smashing down outside her window. With Bug Borough covered in a mysterious sticky liquid and the police none the wiser, Mason finds

a clue on the label of the jar. A picture of a bee that looks just like her.

Where did this delicious sticky sweet substance come from? Why is there a picture of her on the label of the shattered debris? Who is that mysterious figure following her? Mason B must look for clues in the Bee community which won’t be easy as lots of them are solitary and the others work together in tight knit groups.

About the Author

Ben Newman is an award-winning illustrator who has racked up an impressive list of clients including Penguin, the BBC , and the New York Times, amongst many others.

Author Residence: Hastings, UK

Author Hometown: Cheltenham, UK