The Island of the Bees by Patricia Forde

An epic tale of volcanoes, dragons and wild storms, with themes drawn from Irish legend. Written by the current Irish Children's Laureate, this is a celebration of the magic of bees and the power we can all draw from the natural world. Nestled on a peaceful island, Orla and her grandmother live tending their beloved bees.

But bubbling below is a monster waiting to surface – a dormant volcano – and when it wakes Orla and the rest of the island must flee in search of safety. Orla adventures across the wild sea, guided by her buzzing friends, to find a new home. But what will they find over the horizon?

Illustrated by:Paddy Donnelly
Format:Paperback / softback 32 pages
Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK
Imprint:Puffin
ISBN:9780241380918
Published:14 May 2026
Classifications:Interest age: from c 3 years, Picture storybooks, Adventure stories (Children's / Teenage), Animal stories (Children's / Teenage), Wildlife (Children's / Teenage)
Weight:190g
Dimensions:231 x 285 x 5 (mm)