Bizzy Mizz Lizzie is eager to win Hivetown's Spelling Contest and meet the Queen Bee--but she's so exhausted from studying that she falls asleep mid-word. Ironically, it's when Lizzie slows down that she meets the Queen, who validates the philosophy that sometimes taking a break allows us to be our best. Shannon's art is appropriately exuberant, with plenty of bee-related puns in the details.

An overextended bee learns to stop and smell the flowers, literally. Lizzie is a good student at school, takes dance, acting, art, and music lessons (this last shows her playing the piano with one set of hands and violin with another), plays Bee League baseball, and is part of the Junior Honey Scouts. While she looks happy doing all her activities, when asked why she does so many, her answer may trouble: when she someday meets the Queen, she wants to be able to say that she's the best bee she can be. Meanwhile, her best friend, Lazy Mizz Daisy, enjoys nothing so much as to loll in a flower in the Garden, but Lizzie's always too busy to accompany her. She's even busier when she gets the chance to compete in the Spelling Contest: the prize is to meet the Queen! But will all her studying help her or push her over the edge? In the end, Lizzie's new appreciation of downtime is validated by a new friend who says that "doing nothing…helps me be the best bee I can be." Shannon's artwork is heavy on black, white, and yellow, with pops of red and pink, Lizzie's pigtails making her stand out among the anthropomorphized bees. A powerful message in this time of overscheduling and de-emphasis of play. (Picture book. 4-8)

Shannon (Duck on a Tractor) humorously advocates slowing down to appreciate the small things in life in this bee-themed fable. Bizzy Mizz Lizzie, an overscheduled bee, is -just about the busiest, buzziest bee anyone had ever seen.- She earns solid Bs (-That-s better than straight A-s if you-re in Bee School-), takes a variety of classes (dance, acting, art, and more), and is a member of the Junior Honey Scouts, among other activities. Lizzie is thrilled when she lands a spot competing in an upcoming spelling contest (humorously, or perhaps to avoid confusion, it-s not referred to as a bee), but her intensive studying and lack of sleep results in her missing her much-awaited chance to meet the Queen at the competition. In the end, Lizzie takes direction from her best friend, Lazy Mizz Daisy, who knows how to appreciate lying in the flowers, reading a book, and talking her fellow bees. Shannon-s excited narration and bold bee caricatures befit a heroine who-s always on the move, bringing a jittery energy to the pages. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 2 Bizzy Mizz Lizzie comes by her name honestly; she is one busy bee. She gets good grades, takes dance, acting, art, and music lessons. She plays "Bee League" baseball and she is a member of the "Junior Honey Scouts." She wants to be her very best so she may meet the Queen Bee someday. Bees Lizzie's age are not as busy as she. Lizzie's mom is, however, very busy. When a spelling contest is announced, Lizzie exhausts herself studying. On the day of the contest, the Queen Bee, looking every bit a queen, is in the audience. Lizzie is very excited, but when it is Lizzie's turn to spell, she falls asleep and doesn't wake up for three days. Upon waking and learning what has happened, a disappointed and still tired Lizzie decides resting a bit more is a good idea. While lounging in a garden, she meets the Queen Bee, who is also lounging. The queen helps Lizzie understand being busy every moment is not always best. The bug-eyed characters in the illustrations are cleverly created with clothing that mimics the shape and texture of bumble bees and hair that gives each bee their own identity. The illustrations feel as frenetic as Mizz Lizzie's schedule, with generous use of black and yellow, but also reds and oranges. Spreads and textured backgrounds provide plenty of space for the fair amount of text it takes to share Lizzie's story. VERDICT This picture book has a timely message for a generation of families who may find themselves overscheduled. Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services