The Busy Bees — A Children's Book About Four Little Bees
Children reading a picture book together
About the Book

A joyful story about being exactly who you are

The Tsibinkies is an organization that works to enhance foundational literacy to South African primary school children through The Tsibinkies book series. The book consists of four fun and interesting stories aimed at building and strengthening children's moral, social and reading skills. the stories are inspired by real kids and real situations.


We are based in Krugersdorp, West Rand. We also operate a Children's virtual book club, a free space that enables children to access great Tsibinkie reading materials that help them escape into their imaginations while enhancing their creativity. 

We strive to create a community in which children in South Africa acquire the basic literacy skills to foster in them a love for reading and learning and for them to have a positive orientation towards their later years in life.

Four Friends

The Bees You'll Meet

Every Tsibinkie has a job, a favourite flower and a very strong opinion about honey. Here are the four who started it all.

Buhle

The Anti-Bullying Bee

Buhle is the anti-bullying bee that strives to help children across South Africa who are bullied and helps those who bully others to change their mean ways.

Linda

The Anti-Litter Bee

Linda is the anti-litter bee that strives to teach children across South Africa the importance of not literring and environmental awareness using the three 'R's 'Reduce, Re-use and Recycle'.

Humelani

The Honest Bee

Humelani is the honest bee that strives to teach children across South Africa the importance of honesty and helping children understand the importance of being truthful, sincere and fair.

Reggie

The Reading Bee

Reggie is the reading bee. He carries a tiny book everywhere he goes and loves nothing more than sharing a story with a friend under the warm afternoon sun.

Colourful cartoon bee illustration beside a honeycomb
The Story Behind the Bees

A Book Born in a Back Garden

The Busy Bees began as bedtime stories told to two very sleepy children who refused to go to sleep until "one more bee story" had been told. Those improvised tales grew wings of their own.

Written and illustrated over three summers, the book follows four bees through their first big adventure: a journey across the meadow to find the last sunflower of the season before the first autumn rain.

It is a gentle, funny, read-aloud picture book for ages 3 to 7 — full of buzzing, giggling and a very important lesson about helping your friends.

4Bee Characters
32Illustrated Pages
60+Events Attended
Where We've Been & Where We're Going

Events & Book Readings

The Busy Bees have travelled to schools, libraries, festivals and garden centres. Here's a look at recent visits and what's coming up next.

Past · May 2025

Meadow Lane Primary School

Meadow Lane, Reading

A morning of buzzing with three Year 1 classes. We drew our own bees, learned the waggle dance and read the sunflower chapter aloud together.

Past · July 2025

Summer Wildflower Festival

Riverside Park, Oxford

A full day of signings under the marquee, plus a live illustration table where children coloured their own honeycomb pages.

Past · September 2025

Little Readers Bookshop

High Street, Bristol

An intimate Saturday storytime with a reading of the whole book, followed by a Q&A with very curious five-year-olds.

Upcoming · March 2026

Spring Storytime Tour

Libraries across the South West

A five-stop tour of local libraries with free readings, bee-themed crafts and signed copies available on the day.

Upcoming · May 2026

Children's Book Week Panel

City Hall, Bath

Join us on a panel of picture-book authors talking about writing for young readers, followed by a group signing session.

Upcoming · August 2026

Honey Harvest Family Day

Brookfield Farm, Somerset

A family day out with beekeeping demonstrations, a reading of The Busy Bees and a pop-up stall with books and merchandise.

Kind Words

What Readers Are Saying

From parents, teachers and one very enthusiastic librarian.

We have read The Busy Bees every single night for three weeks. My daughter now insists on being called Bea and has renamed the dog Bumble.

Sarah M.Parent of two, Reading

A perfect classroom read-aloud. The rhythm is lovely, the illustrations are warm, and the friendship message lands without ever feeling preachy.

Mr. Daniel OkaforYear 1 Teacher, Bristol

We hosted a reading at the library and had to bring in extra chairs. The children were completely captivated from the first page to the last.

Priya RamanChildren's Librarian, Oxford

The Busy Bees Shop

Take home the story of four little bees — books, plushies and more.

The Busy Bees — Hardcover Book

The Busy Bees — Hardcover Book

R 249

The full illustrated story of all four bee friends, perfect for ages 3–8.

1
The Busy Bees — Paperback

The Busy Bees — Paperback

R 149

Lightweight paperback edition of the beloved bee adventure.

1
Bee Character Plush Set

Bee Character Plush Set

R 399

All four soft bee characters to cuddle while you read.

1
Colouring & Activity Book

Colouring & Activity Book

R 99

Puzzles, mazes and colouring pages starring the four bees.

1
Bee Backpack for Kids

Bee Backpack for Kids

R 329

Bright yellow school backpack with the Busy Bees characters.

1
Storytime T-Shirt

Storytime T-Shirt

R 199

Soft cotton tee printed with all four bee friends.

1

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    Say Hello

    Get in Touch with the Hive

    Planning a school visit, a festival reading or a bulk order for your classroom? We'd love to hear from you. Send a message and we'll buzz back within two working days.

    0798139056
    yolisa89@gmail.com
    14 Meadow Lane Studio, Cape Town, 8001

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