have the cutest addition to our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree (Adventures of Annabelle Bee and Benjamin Butterfly) by Debra Raso O’connor (Author), Stephen Lomazzo (Illustrator) a children’s book I received in exchange for this review. Inside this post in my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products, you purchase.
I’ve always loved Bee’s because they do so much for our Environment and we all know how special Butterflies are to me. As soon as I saw the press release for Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree (Adventures of Annabelle Bee and Benjamin Butterfly), I knew this would be book I wanted to read.
Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree (Adventures of Annabelle Bee and Benjamin Butterfly) arrived. I opened the package and as soon as I saw the cover of the book I feel in love with the Bee and the Butterflies on the cover as well as the Tree which I wish I had in my backyard. The name of the Bee is ol’ fashion and reminds me of my childhood and having a glass of Sweet Tea with my grandparents sitting outside under their Tree.
David and Charlie saw Annabelle Bee and The Butterfly Tree sitting on my desk and began to browse through the book. Before I knew what was happening David and Charlie were reading the story and sharing what was happening in the story with me.
I love how Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree (Adventures of Annabelle Bee and Benjamin Butterfly)brought us closer together. If we had been #Homeschooling, we would have added the book to our reading list and used it when we studied Bees and Butterflies.
In Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree (Adventures of Annabelle Bee and Benjamin Butterfly) we meet Queen Mom who wakes up Annabelle who looks outside and see’s The Butterfly Tree full of Butterflies. I wish I could have seen the Butterfly Tree as well. What about you? Look at the orange wings. Aren’t they pretty?
Off into the Gardens Annabelle goes to collect Nectar which would have been a spelling word for Charlie. She meets a black Monarch Butterfly with black wings. The Butterfly let’s her know he is Benjamin. The fly around the flowers together.
There were children with a net, and they catch Benjamin. Annabelle gathers up her courage to help Benjamin. The little boy sees the Bee and drops the net and runs off. Annabelle sets Benjamin free. After that day they became best friends.
One morning Queen Mom announces its moving day. Annabelle was sad she didn’t want to move. Annabelle eats so much nectar she can’t fly. Benjamin saves Annabelle. They get to the Butterfly Tree and find a hole in it.
Annabelle has a idea and tells Queen Mom about the Butterfly Tree. The Scout Bees said the Butterfly Tree would be the perfect home for them. Now the two best friends live close to each other making there dreams come true.
I like how the Author included Bee facts in the back of the book which allowed my family to learn new things about Honeybees which was a fun #teachingmoment for our family. I hope you take the time to check out Annabelle Bee and The Butterfly Tree.
Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree (Adventures of Annabelle Bee and Benjamin Butterfly is the perfect book for preschoolers and kindergarteners, but adults and older children will enjoy the story and the amazing illustrations as well as my family did. Make sure you add Annabelle Bee and The Butterfly Tree to your upcoming Shopping List for all the children an teachers you know.
About the book:
Mom’s Choice Award—Gold Winner
2024 NYC Big Book Award—Winner
2024 Eric Hoffer Awards—Picture Book Category Winner
2024 Creative Child—Preferred Choice for “Books on Friendship”
Annabelle Bee wishes she could be a lovely butterfly like Benjamin.
When one day she saves Benjamin from being caught in a net, the two quickly become best friends! But when Annabelle hears that her mother, the queen, says they need to move to a new hive, she doesn’t know what to do! She doesn’t want to leave her new friend, but she doesn’t want to leave her family.
Will the two friends be able to find the perfect place? Children will learn about bravery, friendship, and that no problem is too big to solve in Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree.
About the Author
Debra Raso O’Connor is a mother, retired pediatrics nurse, gardener, and amateur artist and needle worker. She was born in Montreal, Canada, and lived in Quebec and Ontario before her husband’s transfer to Texas, where she lives now. Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree is her first book and the result of her desire to write a story for her grandchildren.
Stephen Lomazzo is an illustrator, fine artist and designer who lives and works in his hometown of Eau Gallie, Florida, alongside his border collie, Trixie. He was warped at a young age by Spaghetti-o’s, Kool-Aid, black and white films and Saturday morning television. He can also say he learned to drive on a 1931 Model A Ford and can wiggle his ears.
Since graduating from the Savannah College of Art & Design in 2005, he has displayed his unique styles in many galleries and shows, as well as illustrated for numerous magazines and book projects. Stephen’s ultimate goal is to one day be bestowed upon the honor of the Caldecott award for Children’s picture book excellence. He likes to write his own stories, too . . .
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
