This delightful and unusual book about bees is the perfect Christmas gift for a beekeeper or a buddy interested in all things bees. The emphasis on Irish folklore is especially welcome, as many of us will have heard similar stories over the years, and it is interesting to discover the variations and local references. In an easy, almost conversational manner, Eimear Chaomhànach, a scholarly folklorist, includes folk tales from many parts of the world and from ancient history, as well as Irish folklore. A strong autobiographical narrative runs through the book, so it is very far from being the typical collection of folk tales. Eimear is the daughter of a highly experienced beekeeper who took her to the bees as a young child. She learned from him both how to handle and how to appreciate and understand the bees, so her comments about some very tall folk tales are particularly apt. She writes as one who admires bees as remarkable social insects, and is intrigued by the long-standing relationship with humans. It is clear throughout that she also admires her father, who is probably the inspiration for writing the book.

She tells affectionately of times when she has been with him to tend his colonies, and often repeats his words describing honey as "liquid gold". The book is a wonderful corrective to the commercial world of honey production and this term, suggesting honey is an almost holy natural resource, is worth retaining when speaking to our beginners . I strongly recommend this beautifully illustrated and produced book.