Rufus & Bea

A beautifully illustrated book about a songbird who... can't sing or fly! But, he gets help from an unlikely friend, Bea the bee! A charming story and one that will be a hit in any preschool storytime (I bet the kids will even sing along!)

A cute little book about believing in yourself and helping others. With cute illustrations. Would absolutely recommend.

I read this book with my toddler & we both enjoyed it. The depictions & the storyline kept my toddler intrigued until the last page. He enjoyed it so much we’ve read it twice already.


It’s so sweet reading about Rufus & Bea. Rufus was about to find his voice & confidence through his new found friendship with Bea. The giggles from my toddler, while reading and seeing the expressions on the faces of Bea & Rufus - as he mimicked those faces and Rufus’s singing.

We thoroughly enjoyed this book.

We volunteered for an ARC of this book through NetGalley

What a sweet book about friendship and helping. I think its a bit too long for story time but I will suggest this to parents.

Young Rufus cannot sing or fly.....YET! He meets Bea the Bee who helps him learn how to do the things he wants to do but cant yet figure out.

Sometimes you need to take things slowly and one step at a time to learn and Bea the Bee helps Rufus the Bird learn that.

ARC reader for NetGalley

Rufus cannot fly and he cannot sing until he meets a new friend that helps him be all he can be. A story of unlikely friendships and a bit of you can do anything if you put your mind to when you are willing to learn. My little thought this was the cutest of stories.

What an adorable story of a bird and a bee and their journey to discovering their voices! I adored this story and the beautiful illustrations that pulled me in. This will be definitely be one that i purchase to use in my future classroom.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

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.

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 & 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

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.

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.

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 :)

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!)

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.