A fascinating foray into the obsessions, friendships, scientific curiosity, misfortunes and rewards of suburban beekeeping—through the eyes of a Master Beekeeper . . .

Who wants to keep bees? And why? For the answers, Master Beekeeper Frank Mortimer invites readers on an eye-opening journey into the secret world of bees, and the singular world of his fellow bee-keepers. There’s the Badger, who introduces Frank to the world of bees; Rusty, a one-eyed septuagenarian bee sting therapist certain that honey will be the currency of the future and Scooby the “dude,” who gets a meditative high off the awesome vibes of his psychedelia-painted hives.

In connecting with this club of disparate but kindred spirits, Frank discovers the centuries-old history of the trade,  the practicality of maintaining it, and much more.

With a swarm of offbeat characters and fascinating facts (did that bee just waggle or festoon?), Frank the Bee Man delivers an informative, funny, and galvanizing book about the symbiotic relationship between flower and bee, and bee and the beekeepers who are determined to protect the existence of one of the most beguiling and invaluable creatures on earth.

Frank Mortimer is an adjunct instructor at the Cornell University Master Beekeeping Program, Vice President of the New Jersey State Beekeepers Association, and a Certified Master Beekeeper.  Frank has written multiple articles featured in the widely circulated Bee Culture Magazine.  As president of the Northeast NJ Beekeepers Association, he significantly grew his club’s membership, aligned the Northeast NJ Beekeepers with Ramapo College, and founded the “Honey Cup," an annual honey tasting competition.  Frank has promoted beekeeping throughout the Northeast and led beekeeping seminars across New Jersey and at The New York Botanical Garden. In addition, he successfully campaigned for his hometown of Ridgewood to become New Jersey's first “Bee City USA.”  Frank is married, has three children, and beekeeping is something the whole family enjoys doing together.

Derek Stordahl is the General Manager of Holiday House Publishing, the first children’s-only publisher in the US. Founded in 1935, Holiday House is known for publishing award-winning books including Before She was Harriet, Dreamers, Finding Langston, Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle, I Talk Like A River, and Honeybee. He’s also a long-time Montclair backyard beekeeper and past vice president of the Essex County Beekeepers Association.

Frank Mortimer, "Bee People and the Bugs They Love"