I loved reading this book. My daughter loved the pictures and the story. There were so many sounds to make and it was a fun read out loud. Kids will love this book!

A cute little songbird that can't sing or fly, how sad! Then the songbird meets Bea, the bee. Bea is excited he can't do these things and that she gets to teach him. While he's nervous, Bea keeps encouraging him until they are singing and flying. A great reminder for kids to just try and you'll achieve your dreams. A great book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

The colourful illustrations had me captivated on the first page, knowing this was going to be a sweet tale.

The friendship, perseverance and kindness of Bea and Rufus makes so such a sweet story. I also found Bea’s excitement to help a very special quality of this book.

A special story that lifts us up (both literary and literally!)

Rufus & Bea is a sweet story about friendship and how friends can help you overcome your struggles. I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. The musical portions added a nice element if you want to sing those lines.

I received an ARC from Flashpoint via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet story about finding your voice but what I really loved was the pictures. It was such a gentle style, reminding me of watercolors.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Rufus & Bea is a sweet children's book about friendship, self-belief, and faith in yourself.
Rufus is a songbird but finds he can't sing a tune nor fly yet. Bea is a bee who becomes friends with Rufus and helps him discover his voice and fly. These two were so adorable together in the illustrations, which were nostalgic and entertaining for both children and adults.
This would make a lovely series for children, so I'm hoping we will see more of this adorable duo.

Charming story perfect for springtime. I absolutely loved the illustrations, as did my children. My daughter is terrified of bees but this story prompted her to think differently of them. We had a blast singing the songs together at the end. Highly recommend for story time for the littles :)

A very cute childrens book

I love it when children’s books successfully interweave some life lessons into the tale without it being boring or preachy and this was perfectly done here. This was all about not overthinking things sometimes and just giving it a go! I loved the friendship between Rufus and Bea - Bea’s name is also adorable!

This isn’t a 5 star for me though as I had a couple of little gripes:

The songs were a bit hit or miss - as was the prose itself. Sometimes things were all rhyming (which I really liked) and the next minute it was standard prose. While I’m sure there was some rationale around this I think it would have been just much stronger if it had all rhymed or if only the songs rhymed - the mix and match really bungled up the flow of the story. I also think some of the sentences were overly long. Cutting a few of them in half could have made much more digestible reading for little ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC

A powerful book that teaches the meaning of YET! Rufus and Bea develop a strong friendship. Bea encourages her friend to do things that are challenging- fly and sing! I can't wait to share with our music teacher! I can see her using this in her lessons as well! Beautiful pictures! I can pictures families curling up together with this story and talking about powerful lessons.

As a parent, stumbling upon a children's book that not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons is like finding a hidden treasure. "Rufus & Bea" by Lisa Tucker Cummins and Ryan Cummins, illustrated by the talented Hannah Pascoe, is one such gem that promises to captivate both children and adults alike.

In this enchanting tale, we meet Rufus, a young songbird who is struggling to find his voice and muster the courage to leave his nest. Enter Bea, a kind-hearted honeybee with a curious spirit and a willingness to help her feathered friend overcome his fears. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and friendship.

One of the most remarkable aspects of "Rufus & Bea" is its ability to weave together a heartwarming narrative with important themes of overcoming challenges and the power of friendship. Through Rufus and Bea's adventures, children learn the value of empathy, encouragement, and stepping out of their comfort zones.

The illustrations by Hannah Pascoe are simply delightful, bringing the characters and their vibrant world to life with every turn of the page. Each watercolor illustration is infused with warmth, whimsy, and attention to detail, making it a visual treat for both children and adults.

One of our favorite passages from the book beautifully captures the essence of Rufus and Bea's journey:

"Have you ever wished for a thing to come true, but making it happen seemed too hard to do? Then perhaps you'll relate to our young feathered friend, whose grand songbird dreams have him at his wit's end. Or so he thinks, with hopes locked in suspension. And that's when a strange buzz catches his attention."

Moreover, the inclusion of a special song, "I Can Play Kazoo" by Tiny Prime, adds an interactive element to the reading experience, allowing children to further immerse themselves in Rufus and Bea's world through music.

My daughter Violet adored Bea, describing her as "so cute and fuzzy," and was thrilled to discover that we could listen to the bee song on Spotify. As a parent, witnessing her enthusiasm for both the story and the accompanying song was truly heartwarming.

In conclusion, "Rufus & Bea" earns a well-deserved five-star rating for its beautifully calming yet engaging illustrations, its heartfelt storyline of helping one another overcome challenges, and its valuable lessons on friendship and courage. This book is a must-have addition to any family's library and is sure to be cherished for years to come.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read the advance copy of "Rufus & Bea". This heartwarming tale of friendship and courage has left a lasting impression on both Violet and myself, and we are truly grateful for the chance to experience it before its official publication on June 25, 2024. Thank you for enriching our lives with such a delightful story, and we eagerly await sharing Rufus and Bea's adventures with others when the book is released to the wider audience.

This book had potential, and I thought the artwork was very cute, but my kids were not super engaged with it. While they weren't able to express this, the impression I got was that there was an odd lack of balance, like there was too much time/depth spent on backstory and then suddenly the conflict (minor though it was) resolved itself almost too quickly.

Right away I fell in love with the gorgeous illustrations. I really like how they help to enhance the storytelling and how expressive the characters are. The story and its intended messages are not only beautiful, but also well-executed.

I adore the friendship between Rufus and Bea, and hope the author expands this charming read into a series with the same beloved leads.

Rufus is a songbird who can’t fly or sing. Bea is a bee who helps him master both. They become good friends. I hope this becomes a series. Great life lessons. Beautiful pictures. I received a free advance reader copy, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Rufus & Bea
by Lisa Tucker Cummins and Ryan Cummins

A sweet and inspirational book for young readers! It brings out the message of importance of friendship.

We follow the journey of Rufus the bird and Bea the bee! The way Bea helps and encourages Rufus to fly and sing.

I love the water painting illustration style. The message is encouraging and inspirational for young readers. This will be a great book to read alone for kid or with parents. I look forward to their book 2! Let wait to see what adventure they will have.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Jun 25, 2024

Oh wow what a fun read. Rufus and Bea was such a heartwarming tale of friendship. I never thought children’s books could be this captivating.
Let’s start with how beautiful the writing was and the illustrations - my God beautiful.
“ DON’T IMPRESS JUST EXPRESS “
Kudos to the authors for incorporating such a powerful message in such an engaging way.
This book creatively talks about self doubt, people pleasing and how to conquer it. It teaches the importance of good influence and friendship.
After reading this book you feel not only thoroughly enthused but you also feel seen.
Highly recommend

This is a cute story of Rufus the nightingale and Bea the bee and their friendship. This illustrations are simple and eye catching and they reminded me of Charlotte's Web, a illustrated copy I had read somewhere, it stayed with me.

This story is simple but I feel that if sentences are shorter they are more easy to understand for younger kids.

Thank you Netgalley and flashpoint for ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

The illustrations were adorable and the message is great! We loved this book about friendship and working together to overcome fears.

Rufus is a songbird who hasn't found his song and cannot fly yet. After hearing a flurry of bees Rufus is so intrigued he drops his hat from his nest and a kind Bee named Bea returns it to him. Bea is kind and finds excitement in the fact that Rufus has not learned to sing or fly yet and decides to teach him.
This is a story that celebrates all of the things we have not learned yet and that sometimes it's more fun to learn with friends by our side.

Thank you Flashpoint for allowing me to read and review Rufus & Bea on NetGalley.

Published: 06/25/24

Stars: 5

Beautiful inside and out. The illustrations are lovely. I imagine picking up the physical book, flipping through and being compelled to read it. The artist has a true talent.

The story is charming. I wanted to continue reading and was torn between looking at the pictures longer or turning the page. In the end, the cohesiveness of art and writing is second to none. Given the intended audience I hope this book is equal to an infinite amount of stories and not the exception.

The book can be enjoyed in a group setting seamlessly, as well as appreciated singularly.

In addition to kids independently, I would gift this to nursery schools, church nurseries, etc.

Did I mention there is displaying good manners, kindness, earning a friend, and singing? Yes, singing. No worries the words are included.

This was a sweet book to read with my 4 year-old (soon to be 5, as he will quickly remind you). It is the story of a bird who has yet to learn his song or to fly and through his new-found friendship with a bee he discovers his song.
So the positives first-My son like the story and isn't that all that matters? I like the message of the book; more specifically the idea of asking for help to learn new things. Illustrations were very simple and pleasing to the eye; I could focus on the story and point out things without it becoming a distraction.
The cons? Okay the cadence of the word choice was odd-Sometimes it would be rhyming then switch to regular prose. I am sure this was intentional but to read this out-loud it was hard to switch it up. I also wished that the story focused more on the singing. The flying seemed to be thrown in at the last moment.
All in all-decent choice