Betsy & Bon — Three gentle stories about friends, play, and making a home

# What the book is

Betsy & Bon - Three Sweet Stories is a small hardback junior fiction title by Simon Bowe published by UQP in September 2026. The book is aimed at readers aged 3 and up and carries ISBN 9780702268953. The reviewer notes the physical package is well made — hardback binding and a ribbon page marker — and sized for small hands.

# Who the characters are

The protagonists are two little bees, Betsy and Bon. They are joined by a cast of small critter friends: Frogly (a frog), Harrington Mouse, Penny Spots (a ladybug), Butter Benjamin (a butterfly), and Spencer Snail. The illustrations present these characters as cute, gentle, and approachable in a style the reviewer compares to older nature-focused picture-book traditions.

# The three stories, in brief

1) Building a hive and learning to include others

Betsy and Bon construct a cosy hive out of cardboard boxes and found materials — an obvious upcycling example. They want companions in the hive but initially tell their animal friends they cannot live there because they are not bees. The chapter resolves with the bees realising their hive is happier and busier when they welcome their friends.

2) Disagreement about play and finding common ground

The two friends struggle to agree on what to play. After trying different ideas, they end up sitting together in the sun doing nothing — a compromise that satisfies them both. The scene models calm shared time as a valid outcome of play negotiation.

3) Picnic logistics and cooperative construction

# Themes and classroom uses

Teaching notes for the book are available (link noted in the review). The reviewer suggests the hive-making scene will be replicated in early childhood centres, classrooms, and libraries as a craft or collaborative project.

# Tone and illustration

# Who might want this book

# Publication details

Title: Betsy & Bon - Three Sweet Stories

Price reported in the review: $26.99