BIZZ BUZZ BOSS

A bossypants bee learns a lesson
about the value of the contributions of others.

Little Spider loves almost
everything about her garden home—but the “bizzz, buzzz, boss-boss-boss” of the
worker bee as she makes her rounds is, frankly, a buzzkill. Fulfilling the “bossy
female” stereotype, Bossy Bee lords it over the rest of the garden creatures,
explaining the importance of her job as a pollen collector and distributor to
the worm, the ladybug, and the lizard. With keen understanding of the
psychology of a narcissist, Little Spider asks Bossy Bee for advice—and then
quickly traps her in her web. Unable to move, Bossy Bee can only watch as the
worm, the ladybug, and the lizard perform their essential tasks: The worm
enriches the soil; the ladybug eats aphids; the lizard eats slugs. Chastened,
Bossy Bee declares, “Oh, Spider, I promise to stop being bossy. / I’ve learned
a lesson today. / I’ll respect other creatures and value their jobs. / We
should work as a team every day!” It’s a valuable lesson even though it’s
imparted in earnest doggerel (all the creatures speak in rhyme). Tolland’s
painterly illustrations emphasize the lushness of the garden, sometimes at the
expense of clarity of composition—with so many bright colors to look at, it’s
hard for the eye to focus.

Useful information and important
insight delivered in mediocre verse and via gender stereotype. (Picture
book. 3-6)