Marie and Mr. Bee

Author: Margaret Welwood
Genre: Children

​Marie is a happy little girl who lives in a cabin in the woods, working and playing with her forest friends . . . until a not-so-busy bee entices her to neglect her work! Compassion, forgiveness, and a forever friendship follow. 

By the following summer, Mr. Bee is too old to fly. But every night, Marie lifts her little friend onto her lap and reads to him from the Book of John and the Book of Proverbs. 

Marie uses a wheelchair, which is clear from the pictures. However, there is only one reference to the chair in the text--when she wheels the ailing Mr. Bee back to her cabin after his expulsion from the hive. Some people appreciate the fact that the disability is present without being the focus. Others are pleased to see someone with a disability in the role of rescuer.

Also available without Bible references as Marie and Mr. Bee.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Marie & Mr. Beeby Margaret Welwood is a delightful children's book that will teach children the value of completing their chores.

The main character, Marie, is in a wheelchair and yet she still has chores to do and completes them all before she goes out to play with her animal friends. But one day she meets Mr. Bee, who brags about how he never does any work. Marie begins to wonder why she has to work when Mr. Bee doesn't, so she stops doing her chores. In the end, she learns a lesson on what happens when work doesn't get done.

I love that the main character is disabled as it shows children that those in wheelchairs aren't so very different. Parents will love the simple way this book teaches children the values of working hard. While not overly preachy there are two versions of this book, one suitable for Sunday School and the other suitable for regular school (no Bible verses). With beautiful full-colour illustrations this is a wonderful book to add to your children's library.

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