Rachel Weston published the best-selling Bumblebees Have Smelly Feet after discovering bumblebees live underground and do “buzz pollination”. A couple of years later, while on her kiwifruit orchard watching bumbles and honey bees during pollination (and filling her iPhone with more bee photos!) she saw a small, black beelike insect on a flower, which quickly flew away when a bustling bumblebee came in for landing. Looking more closely, she spotted another small black “bee” landing on a flower, zipping off again. Not knowing what these were, she made contact with bee expert, the late Dr Donovan, who told her about New Zealand’s native bees. So started a new bee journey… Rachel’s other books include Bumblebee, Hello! Kia ora! Welcome new friend!, Boo Goes Tutti Frutti and Messy-o-saurus. Rachel talks to NZ Booklovers.
Tell us a little about Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees
Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees introduces you to Aotearoa’s 28 species of native bees, ngaro huruhuru. It’s an informative and interactive visual feast with 36 stunning photographic images, diagrams and QR video clips showing native bees in their habitats. Although it’s written for children, adults will also enjoy this comprehensive book.
What inspired you to create this book?
I had no idea New Zealand had native bees until I came across them pollinating our kiwifruit orchard in 2020. I was gob-smacked! As I learned about their uniqueness and their importance, I knew I had to write a book so Kiwi kids would know about them too. Once I observed them in person, that’s when I really fell in love with these cool, little bees, who have been flying under the radar for far too long!
What research was involved?
Locating and spending time at native bee nesting sites so I could get a ‘feel’ for these small, gentle bees while they were active. Interviewing scientists, entomologists and enthusiasts about their research and experiences. Lots of reading and fact checking, and then more re-checking! Taking photos and video footage. Flying to Wellington to visit the entomology department of Te Papa Tongarewa Museum. Spending delightful hours under flowering pōhutukawa trees, crouched in clay ditches, and laying on the sand happily observing tiny, zippy bees!
What was your process when creating this book?
Before I wrote about native bees, I had to soak up their behaviours and breathe in their spaces. I sat among their calmness without any fear of being stung and experienced the gentleness of them as they landed on my skin. I noticed the silence of their darting, speedy flight and felt a child-like joy watching them disappear into little hide-holes in the ground. After this I could write from a place of experience and feeling, keeping children in mind as I wrote. I used a ring binder with tabs to file information into bite size chunks e.g., interviews, photo images, illustration notes, research papers, links, key words and describing sentences etc. It’s a bit all over the place at first, until slowly it comes together like a jigsaw puzzle.
If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song you would include.
The song would be, Zippity Doo-Dah, by Sara Hickman.
What did you enjoy the most about writing this children’s book?
Knowing that I was sharing the joy and uniqueness of these beautiful bees.
What do you hope readers will take away from reading?
I hope that readers will be surprised and delighted and understand the significant role native bees have in our ecosystem pollinating Aotearoa’s native plants and trees. It would be wonderful if native bees were as commonly known about as kiwi. “No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced” ― David Attenborough
What is the best thing you love about bees?
Bees are very endearing. They have amazing abilities and are so critical to our planet. There is a wonderment about bees when you take a moment to notice them, it’s very satisfying.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
Nothing yet, it’s been pretty hectic. I’ll have a chance to breathe and reflect in a month or so.
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
I’m really excited to have come across New Zealand author, Charity Norman, and have just finished her latest book, Home Truths.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I’m currently finishing a book I’ve written for Kids with Arthritis New Zealand, which has been another special project this year. I’m looking forward to having the summer off.
Western Books
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