The Bees of Notre-Dame

Gr 1-3–An overhead view of Notre-Dame before the blaze of April 2019 sets the scene; the book opens on spring in Paris, as Sibyle the beekeeper tends to the hives that are situated on a high terrace of the cathedral’s Sacristy, near the famous rose windows. The bees, dormant over winter, find their ways to the blossoms of a French spring while their queen lays eggs in the centuries-old wax of the honeycomb. Then fire breaks out, and the fire-fighting is swift as heartbreaking events unfold; there is never a thought but that all will be rebuilt. A second overhead view, post-fire, shows readers the extent of the damage and what was saved or salvaged. The facts are presented poetically, with license, so that text about the bees dancing directions for other bees as to the location of pollen is shown next to a scene of the queen laying eggs. The melding of two compelling stories—beekeeping at the cathedral and the fire—acts to weaken both, and the last sentence only underscores this: “When the tall black cloud of smoke and ash finally clears, the sun rises to say, ‘Come! Rebuild. Work with each other. You are stronger together. Just like the bees.’” Back matter includes more about the story in an author’s note, along with diagrams of Notre Dame and recommended reading.