Review: BEING BEE by Catherine Bateson

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bateson, Catherine. 2006. Being Bee. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 082342104X.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Young Beatrice, Bee for short, is perfectly content with her life until her dad brings his girlfriend, Jazzi into their home. Bee, who shows her contempt in subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways throughout the story, refuses to accept Jazzi as part of the family. Through shared secrets and a little acceptance on both sides, Bee and Jazzi finally find a way to break through the walls and begin to get to know each other.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Although the story begins with some humor with the depiction of Jazzi crawling on the floor in her “shiny black tights” looking for the escaped guinea pig, the more serious issues facing Bee take the story to a decidedly more serious nature. Her problems with her friends at school provide all elementary readers with something with which they can relate. Many readers will also relate to Bee’s trials and emotional upheavals she deals with a new person in her father’s life. The notes from the guinea pigs, Lulu and Fifi, add charm to the story and help maintain interest in the storyline.

Being Bee tells a universal story of acceptance with which readers from any country can identify. There are some aspects of the story which obviously identify it as originating in a culture outside the United States; however, for the most part it is simply the story of a girl and how she deals with changes in her life.

Some glimpses into the Australian culture are provided through the multiple references to rituals of tea and scones. Furthermore, Bee uses the term “Mum” to refer to her deceased mother and her friends refer to Jazzi as Bee’s “stepmum.” Also in reference to housing, Jazzi lived in a “flat” and they painted the “lounge room” Natural Linen. These are not typical terms used in American culture. Finally, Harley talks about the “phone box” which he was stuck in when he ran away. Even though there are some subtle references to Australian life, there really were not enough to give the reader a very in-depth glimpse into everyday life in Australia. However, the book does have appeal as a charming story of a young girl and how she learns to acknowledge the changes in her life.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
CHIILDREN’S LITERATURE review: “The plot has a few missteps…But Bee has such a delightful narrative voice that readers are unlikely to complain. Moreover, the book design could not be more appealing, with a knockout cover and amusing miniature guinea pig photos adorning each chapter opening.”

KIRKUS review: “Once again, Bateson deftly describes family and friendship strains in ways that are both touching and humorous. Bee's resistance and the grown-ups' attempts to make things easy for her as well as nourish their own relationship are completely convincing.”

5. CONNECTIONS
When reading books by Bateson, students should be encouraged to learn more about the Australian culture especially the everyday lives of families.

Other books by Catherine Bateson:
Bateson, Catherine. Stranded in Boringsville. ISBN 082341969X.
Bateson, Catherine. The Boyfriend Rules of Good Behavior. ISBN 0823420264.
Bateson, Catherine. Millie and the Night Heron. ISBN 0702235261.