If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe
by Cynthia Mackey with illustrations by Vikki Zhang
If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe
by Cynthia Mackey and Vikki Zhang
A thoughtful tale of mindfulness and our interconnectedness with nature.
The story delves into how we can embrace our fears and uncertainties through a deeper understanding of the creatures around us. It highlights the delicate yet profound bond we share with even the smallest beings, like a bumblebee. Through engaging narrative and stunning visuals, the book teaches children to appreciate the natural world and find peace in moments of fear.
A charming and insightful read written by debut author Cynthia Mackey and illustrated by the award-winning illustrator Vikki Zhang, perfect for young minds learning to navigate their emotions and the environment they inhabit.
Publisher: Picnic Heist
IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE
2025 Finalist in the Picture Book Category
Peer Reviews
“A lovely, lyrical text…” - Anna Lazowski, senior producer, CBC radio, author of DARK CLOUD
“Stunningly, poetically, and beautifully perfect.” - Troy Wilson, author of HAT CAT
Curriculum Connections
CURRICULUM. CONNECTIONS
Science: - living things have behaviours that help them survive, biodiversity, things humans, animals, birds, and insects have in common
Science of Fear: fight/flight/freeze response
Social Emotional Learning: - how to be brave in the face of fear, specifically how to deal with something unexpected that flies into your life
Nature Connections: cultivating a sense of wonder
Mindfulness: how the monkey mind can be busy, and how slowing down to focus on small details can help
Literacy: techniques such as simile and metaphor, assonance and onomatopoeia
At the Faerie and Fantasy Fair, 2025
First Reading!
It was a beautiful moment sharing my book with our lovely nature preschoolers. I will admit, I shed a few tears.
Reviews for If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe
This is a beautifully illustrated lyrical book that taps into the idea that we can all be brave in the face of an unexpected challenge. The telling is imaginative and entertaining while the illustrations lend an aura of magic and mystery to the story as a whole. It is a lovely celebration of the strength we all have inside of us when we are thoughtful, reflective and creative as we approach situations in our lives that don't have easy answers. As a professor who emphasizes the value of reflection and critical thinking with learners of all ages, I find this book to be a thoughtful and enchanging addition to any home library or classroom.
-Aixa Pérez-Prado
The lyrical text and whimsical illustrations swept me away in this beautiful book about mindfulness and courage. My daughter was stung multiple times when she was little, so I know all too well the fear that bees can bring to kids. This book provides peaceful, practical, and enjoyable techniques children can use when they are near bees to overcome those fears and feel "...braver than a bear, more clever than a fox, [and] calmer than a snail..."
- Jamie Bills
You’ll find IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE for sale at the following Victoria, B.C. locations:
