Hard times have fallen on Jonathan's family. There is a drought and the bees that provide his family's living are not producing honey. It doesn't help that Jonathan is not as suited for the heavy work of beekeeping as his younger brother, whom his father seems to favor. But when Jonathan decorates his mother's handmade beeswax candles, he discovers a talent can help the family. The candles sell well at the market, and the family comes home with a stack of orders for more. Large, captivating watercolors accompany this moving story of a boy whose search for acceptance leads him to discover his own abilities. Facts about bees, printed in text that loops like the flight of the insect, complement the family story on each page. A short list of bee resources is appended.

A boy who is too frail to assist his father with beekeeping tasks uses his artistic talents to help his economically strapped family. Honeybee facts are scattered throughout the book, trailing in graceful arcs behind flitting honeybees--an attractive design touch that unfortunately is difficult to read. McFadden's watercolors capture natural elements more successfully than they do human characteristics.