Queen Bea by Scott Evan Davis is a children’s picture book that follows a bee named Beatrice who is born to be the new queen of her hive. She meets her nurse and best friend, Lily, who encourages her, and the royal assistant, Bentley, who brings her a scroll with a list of things that require big decisions. Queen Bea is overwhelmed by how fast things move. She worries that she will make all the wrong decisions, especially with the coronation being only one day away. Thinking the hive is better off without her, she leaves and ends up meeting a firefly named Franklin, who gives her some nuggets of wisdom. But she also catches the attention of a hungry praying mantis. How will she get out of this situation, and will she ever make it back in time for the coronation?

This is such an adorable story with great themes that children will be able to relate to, from self-doubt to finding the courage to lead. I enjoyed following Queen Bea as she struggled with her internal conflict. Children will relate to her anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed, and see how she overcame it. I loved Franklin, her unexpected ally, who helped her through the challenges. Adding the praying mantis as another one of Bea’s challenges was a smart choice. Tadgh Bentley’s illustrations are striking, and the colors mirror Bea’s emotions and her growth. Readers who enjoyed similar works like Ashley Spires’ The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do would enjoy Queen Bea. Scott Evan Davis gave this story heart, charm, and resilience.

Queen Bea by Scott Evan Davis is a picture book that follows Bea, a young worker bee who unexpectedly becomes queen after a series of chaotic events in the hive. The story begins inside a busy, noisy colony where Bea feels overwhelmed by expectations, confusion, and constant judgment from others. When circumstances force her to assume leadership, Bea doubts her ability to guide the hive and worries that her mistakes will cause harm. As she ventures beyond the hive, she encounters new environments, unexpected dangers, and moments of quiet reflection that allow her to reconsider what leadership means. Along the way, Bea forms connections, learns from setbacks, and begins to trust her instincts rather than the constant buzz of outside voices.

Scott Evan Davis writes in a gentle, lyrical style, with short lines that reflect Bea’s racing thoughts and moments of calm that slow the tempo when she reflects. The pacing suits young readers well, flowing seamlessly between bustling hive scenes and calmer outdoor moments that create emotional contrast. Tadhg Bentley’s illustrations shape the young reader's experience, using warm yellows, deep shadows, and expressive character designs to portray the mood and movement. The visuals complement the text by expanding the story, especially in scenes where Bea’s emotions are expressed through color and composition rather than words. Queen Bea encourages repeated reading, as small visual details reveal new insights each time. Both children and adults will appreciate how the story thoughtfully and imaginatively explores themes of self-doubt, change, and growth, making it ideal for shared reading and discussions.