Review run date was set for 18 March 2020 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as I finished the final semester and three subjects of my studies. On 28 March 2021 I was set to write the review and my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 04 October 2021 going to write my review will be post on my blog, Facebook blog, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, kobo, googlebooks and iBooks.
A cute story book which demonstrates to children how to be compassionate, showing their love to others and being kind to others. Bentley Bee who is very thoughtful of others feelings and while completing his daily activities he says s positive and powerful meditation. A great way for parents and carers to teach children on how to be kind, courteous to others and what they can say to those who are not doing the right thing or being unkind to others.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from American Psychological Association, Magination Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #BeeHearful #NetGalley

This was a cute book about a bee that practices mediation. He is purposeful in showing kindness not only to those that he likes but to those that he does not. He shows kindness and practices purposeful meditation towards an animal who is openly mean to him.

This is a nice story that stresses the importance of taking responsibilities for your own actions.

I have not read the other books in this series so perhaps that impacts my review. It has a good message, but it did not hold my interest.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. As a child psychologist, I am always looking for resources to teach my clients different concepts and help them practice skills. This is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces kids to loving-kindness meditation in an easy to understand and relatable way. I will recommend this as a resource for my colleagues.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from Frank J. Sileo and Magination Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a cute book that teaches kids about loving-kindness meditation and focusing on spreading kindness when you feel upset or angry to bring yourself inner peace. The book has some helpful instructions at the back on how to practice these meditations with your children.

I was specifically looking for meditation books for very young children and I'm happy to have found this. It explains the lovingkindness practice very well and has darling art!

A beautifully illustrated children’s book with vibrant colors. Bentley loves to meditate to live calmly even when other animals are mean he remains calm . Bentley loves his fellow creatures and wants them to be happy too. Practice loving others.

** spoiler alert ** When I first saw this book I wasn't quite sure what I was thinking this book would be about but it sounded cute and like it may make for a good story. And so I added it to my TBR.

Bee Heartful is about a little bee (nature facts are not factually kept to) who enjoys himself some Metta or a heart meditation every day to help improve his day. And just to prove how loving and caring this makes him he includes his friends and his acquaintances just as he includes himself. But how should you respond when a bully arrives to take away all positive thoughts?

I am not one who meditates so I can't say whether during Metta or not you actually feel your heart grow bigger for all those around you but as a Christian I know when you pray it can lead to similar feelings so perhaps. But I do know that meditation won't magically fix the problem and sometimes it doesn't help you with your anger so to have it do so was kind of like a magical band-aid used by the author to get the rest of the garden animals to join in. To the skeptic like my sister she would more than likely have pointed out the only reason why the bully gave in to the heartfelt bee was just since he wasn't getting the attention he was so craving rather than all the good vibrations.

The writing itself was simple mostly and the names of the animals were alliterative. Along with the brightly colored pictures it does make for a cute book but more than likely one that won't hold children to wanting to read it or follow the concept.

There are some notes in the back of the book for caregivers and parents who may want to try Metta and it does state there that the meditation isn't suppose to be a magical spell or fix-it-upper, which I really wish had been included in the pages of the actual story.

Although it was okay to me I am not really knowing of any parents who are trying to teach their children any type of form of meditation and so cannot say whether this would make for a good read or not to those particular audiences. As for me I would have to say if I did have children of my own, though, I would probably skip over it.

**Please note I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**

Reading this book took me back in time to when I was doing my Montessori training. My mentor teacher often had the children do these still exercises and sending loving-kindness thoughts to other children, especially when they were absent for any period of time. You could really see the difference in the kids as the school year went on and they practiced this more and more. They also were calmer themselves. It wasn't a perfect cure-all for agitation and other problems. But it was a sweet and calming activity to do. This story of Bentley the Bee would be a great introduction to using the calming breathing with kids. And placing it where children could look at it again and again would let them practice it on their own.

The book also gives a lot of information to adults about why these meditations are beneficial and how to present them to children. It provides a script to use as you are introducing it. And it encourages you to seek help for a child who appears to be suffering from any clinical issues.

I would definitely add this book to my classroom collection.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book teaches children how to meditate and stay calm. It was a good book but not one I could see myself reading more than once to my two young children.

This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

The illustrations in this book are wonderful and very bright. I think this book would be really good for teaching kids how to meditate and how to be positive and be kind to others.

A whimsically illustrated story book about a bee who uses mindfulness and loving thoughts to enrich his life.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

"Bentley sends loving-kindness thoughts to himself and others."

Well, the pictures were cute. I think this children's book (Grade Level: Preschool - 2) uses too large words to explain the adult concept of meditation.

2☆

This is a wonderful book to teach children, and adults to practice love and kindness every day. For themselves and others. Always sending that positive vibe out into the universe. Adorable drawings and a great message.

This is a lovely calming book about Bentley who is an adorable, compassionate little bee. This is the third book in Frank J. Silio's award-winning series.

"Bentley is a heartful bee. His heart is filled with love." One morning he wakes up, drapes his favourite red scarf around his neck and heart and begins loving-kindness meditation. What is that you may ask?

Well he sits very calm and still and "sends loving, caring, friendly, and warm thoughts to himself, those he loves, and those who are not kind to him." Why does he do this? It makes him a happier little bee and it makes his heart grow bigger. An infusion of love and contentment flows through it.

Then along comes naughty Willie Wasp and he snatches Bentley's scarf right off his neck and flies away with it. Poor Bentley whatever shall he do now? How will he react to such a blatant act of thievery? To the surprise and admiration of the other animals around him Bentley takes three deep breathes, pictures Willie in his mind and repeats these words several times:

"May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful."

Do you think that these strong, positive, powerful words that Bentley recites will penetrate deep into Willy's heart and persuade him to return the red scarf back to Bentley?

The author wisely has included a "Note to Adult Beekeepers" at the back of the book which offers more in-depth information about loving-kindness meditation and instructions as to how readers can practice it themselves. The illustrations are very kid-friendly, cute and simple. The other books in the series: "Bee Still" and "Bee Strong" are highly recommended as well as "Bee Heartful: Spread Loving-Kindness."

Thank you Netgally and the author for the e-arc.

This story is very short and the story line is straight to the point. Loving- kindness meditation is the whole point of this book and that comes across very quickly.

I like that the other has also included some definitions and different techniques and ways to teach loving- kindness meditation to children. This is very helpful.

*thank you to Netgalley, Frank J. Sileo and American Psychological Association/Magination Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*


4 stars.


I actually liked this book quite a lot. Yeah I know, sorta the odd one out a little but I did think it's a cute and definitely helpful book for little kids. I agreed with about 90% of it though. The 10% part being the part that covered anger. I get the message that it's trying to send. That when you are angry at someone for something they did to you, it's helpful to say positive things to yourself in the form of meditation. Because that's what this book is about, meditation for little kids. But, I have to also disagree. I feel that this sends a message that it's not ok to express anger. Some kids, *cough me cough* would read this and believe that expressing anger when someone has upset you is not a good thing and they made then bottle it up. Maybe it's just me...? But I know I'm not the only one to think this way so I worry for the others who would aswell.

Otherwise, I loved the illustrations. So basic but there was something so beautiful about them too. Such a softness which I adore. It takes me back to the children's books I had in the 80s and early 90s. I loved the feeling of love that this book gives. Meditation is important and the earlier we get our children into it, the better. Well that's my opinion. I know others don't agree and that's perfectly fine too. I enjoyed this.

"Bee Heartful" is a cute little children's book about a power of positive thinking and meditation. It is definitely a good choice if you are interested in the early spiritual upbringing of your child or you are trying to educate them about achieving the inner peace or about being in peace with others.

Honestly, I think this is something anyone can easily discuss with their children, even without this book, but if your child is "difficult" to talk to, than it could be a great tool to start a conversation or learn something on its own.

Bee Heartful is a simple but lovely read with cute art and a great message. This book will be a good read for very young to middle-grade readers.

Gentle bee Bentley is filled with compassion and goodness. He practices loving-kindness meditation by sending good thoughts to himself and others, including people who are not kind to him. One day, Willie Wasp comes along and steals Bentley’s favourite red scarf! But, Bentley works through the situation using meditation.

Frank J. Sileo’s story is simple and sweet. The sentences are easy-to-read. I love the cute punny phrases like “bee-utiful” and “bee heartful.” I like the message of loving-kindness meditation. It seems like a good way to learn about staying positive and dealing with emotions, especially anger. I think it is helpful but it is a little too idealized. I wish the book had included at least a hint of a more reactive response to Willie’s negative behaviour.

I also like the added note to adult beekeepers so that we can learn and grow from Bentley’s story, too.

I love Claire Keay’s cute and eyecatching art! The soft but bright colours nicely complement the gentle story and peaceful message. The happy full-page illustrations will definitely appeal to young readers.



🐝🐝🐝 bees out of 5!

I received an arc of this title for an honest review. Bee gets up every morning and meditates for himself and his friends. He shows that instead of getting angry you van be heartful with meditation.