The Bee-Man of Orn - Hardcover

Frank R. Stockton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060258187 ISBN 13: 9780060258184

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1987

Synopsis

When a Sorcerer tells him that he has been transformed from another sort of being, the Bee-man sets out to discover what he was in his earlier incarnation.

About this title

About the Author:

Frank R. Stockton (1834-1902) was born in Philadelphia and as the author of many novels, short stories and imaginative tales for children, he remained one of the most popular humorists in the United States until his death. P. J. Lynch won the 1987 Mother Goose Award and has twice been awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1-5--An aged Bee-man lives contentedly among his insect friends, surviving on honey and the occasional piece of meat, until the day an itinerant Junior Sorcerer informs him he's been transformed and encourages him to discover his "original form." On hearing this disturbing news, the Bee-man sets off. On his quest for his true nature, he rescues a baby from a dragon. His powerful attraction to the infant convinces him that this may be his original form and with the help of senior sorcerers he returns to his babyhood. The final scene describes a now-mature sorcerer, arriving at a small hut swarming with bees and finding, to his amazement, the once-again adult Bee-man. This delightful story about destiny, which first appeared in print in 1883, is illustrated primarily in earth tones. Sweeping vistas suffused with a long-ago-and-faraway atmosphere alternate with expressive spot art set against white backgrounds. Lynch has a talent for creating mysterious landscapes and capturing character: the befuddled, ragamuffin of a Bee-man and the "languid youth" he encounters in his travels, as well as the puerile sorcerer. The story has also been illustrated by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins, 2003). His art, done in pastel colors and featuring a portly, heavily jowled Bee-man, highlights the humor of the tale. While readers with a philosophical bent may prefer Lynch's version, there is room on library shelves for both.--Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal
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About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0060258187
• ISBN 13: 9780060258184
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 46
• Illustrator: Maurice Sendak