Buzzing with Love (HARDCOPY)

I decided to get this book because I adored the concept. I was a Girl Scout when I was little, and was very motivated by earning badges – so I know the nostalgia of that was pulling at me.

I loved the concept of earning honor crown pins, and advancing through the uniform pieces and scout levels in a way that focused on character development. I loved even more that the character development is based on the fruit of the Spirit.

I've kept an eye out for teaching tools about the fruit of the Spirit that weren't too cutesy or cliche to communicate how deeply important each fruit is. (Little charts that assign random fruits to each quality without any other explanation seem distracting and like they miss the point.)
While there is a fruit pin associated with each Spiritual fruit, the story does a wonderful job of diving into the Spiritual fruit and its import for life.
I appreciated the story’s balance of gentleness and adventure.

My children LOVED the story. They were mesmerized by the illustrations, and were inspired to ask a lot of questions about all of the little details. The colors are just delightful. The children immediately asked to read the story again when they were finished!

(Quick note: the word “poop” is used and focused on for a few pages when talking about the fertilizing work that worms do for the garden. My kids thought it was hilarious but also kept side-eyeing me because they're not typically allowed to say the word. 😂 They know that I prefer them using “castings” when discussing worms since that is used by the gardening community. I imagine this word will be used more often in our home, now, since this book sort of “sanctions” it – but the benefits of the book have far outweighed that little preference.)

The children also referenced the story spontaneously throughout the day when facing their own challenges or processing their own behavior, which was wonderful to see. That's a mark of an effective discipleship tool, in my book!

I loved the poem at the end. It inspired us to read 1 Corinthians 13 and discuss how we can love because God first loves us, and gives us His love to share with others.

I know we'll return to this book again and again. I can also see turning the Honor Crown Pins into a physical “game” (magnets or clothespins) that the children can award to each other throughout the day when they see each other bearing that fruit. 🍓 I think that would be delightful, I know they'd enjoy it, and it will help to continue the conversation!

Also, the physical quality of this book is very high. The binding feels tight, the pages are thick, the printing is beautiful, and the dust jacket is sturdy. I thought the physical quality matched the price point well!

Buzzing with Love by Rachael Hartzell is a total treat and the perfect way to kick off The Garden Scouts series! Meet Kiki, a bubbly little fly who’s all about making friends, and Rhino, a cranky beetle with a soft side (trust me—it’s in there). When these two unlikely buddies team up to earn their Love Strawberry pin, they stumble into a heartwarming adventure full of laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of love.

The story hits that sweet spot between silly and sincere, with just the right dose of feel-good wisdom. Plus, the artwork? Bright, bold, and buzzing with color—it’s a feast for the eyes! Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just a kid at heart, this book is a fun and meaningful way to explore big ideas like kindness and empathy. Total win!

This is such a LOVEly story! It reminds me of the old classics where you get to know the characters and want to know more about them. And, of course, the message of loving our neighbor is something we all need to hear over and over again. Which is what this book will be read, I'm sure. I absolutely loved the artwork. Oh my goodness, it's adorable. I can't wait for the next one in the series!

A delightful little story about Kiki the fly who learns how to show love and friendship toward a beetle who is a bit more rough around the edges. A great tale about the fruit of the spirit: love.

This is an extremely well written book for children about caring, love, kindness, friendship – all the things that come with life and how we treat others. Beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. Recommend highly!!