By: Jay Hosler Publisher: Active Synapse Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Active Synapse Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 158 Publication Date: 2000-01 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Best of his three books. I have loved all three of these biology graphic novels--Clan Apis, Sandwalk, and Optical Allusions. But this was the first one to be produced and the last one I read, and I must say it's my favorite. It has more of a story to it than the other three, stronger "characters," and an actual dramatic arch that a reader can care about. There are moments of poignancy and philosophical musing that help punctuate or flesh out various biological facts about these most fascinating of organisms. If I were a science teacher, for fifth graders on up, this would be a top choice as a supplementary text. And any adult scientists or communicators looking for an example how to communicate important concepts cogently and entertainingly--while retaining accuracy--could do a lot worse than this book.
This comic is serious stuff I bought this for my kids. My daughter loves reading and couldn't put Clan Apis down. After reading she told very excited it was a lot of fun, and most importantly, that she learned a lot about bees while reading. The book takes the form of a comic strip, but the drawings are amazing, and it is packed with information about bees, many of which I never knew about before.
I love this book! I was looking for some engaging books for my 8-year old who is into science and has never found most books for his age group very interesting. I got this for him - but I could hardly give it to him because I kept wanting to read it. I just love the drawings and the hilarious comments from the bugs and flowers.
And my son loves it too. He reads it at night and in the car ride to school to his carpool buddies. A very fun and entertaining "comic book."
Best science-wrapped-in-fiction book I've ever read Other reviewers have already mentioned that this book: (1) tells an emotionally deep and action-packed and delightful story (suitable for adults and children), (2) includes a great amount of scientific information, and (3) includes outstanding drawings. The only thing I can add is that the book is the most amazing and perfect combination of story and science education I have yet managed to find in a book. The story's emotional depth and impact is comparable to that found in the best children's stories that I remember, e.g., Charlotte's Web. (In other words, the story can make an adult cry, in a good sense.) And the science subject's coverage (just right) and focus and presentation are as good as the best found in any knowledge-wrapped-in-fiction book that I've read, e.g., Russell Stannard's super Black Holes and Uncle Albert.
Clan Apis is incredible. Every other knowledge-wrapped-in-fiction book I've read seems in comparison to have a far, far more pedestrian story. For example, the following books with good or at least decent science/knowledge instruction cannot meet Clan Apis's super-high standard for a first-class story: George Gamow's science-awesome "Mr. Thompkins in Paperback" (not the Stannard-updated abomination "New World of Mr. Thompkins" (bad)); Stannard's science-awesome "Uncle Albert" books; the "Magic Treehouse" books; the "Magic School Bus" books; Stephen Hawking's (and daughter's) uneven but exciting "George's Secret Key to the Universe" book; and Hosler's own "Sandwalk Adventures" book (which I didn't like much, I forget why not). Fellow reviewers or comment writers, please share with us any other good knowledge-wrapped-in-fiction books (or movies/shows) that you know about. Thanks!
Sweet and smart It's hard to find a book that is as funny, interesting, educational and deeply humane as this graphic novel. The story is charming but not saccharine. Main characters-- all of them honeybees-- die, some quite heroically and others simply grow old. And while the bees are to a great extent anthropomorphic they remain bees and their world is filled with alien and fascinating information.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
