There’s strength in being solitary –  and also in knowing when to reach out if we need help or just want to share our happy moments with others. That’s the message at the heart of Jean-François Sénéchal’s Colette the Solitary Bee, which follows the busy life of Colette, a bee who buzzes through life without ever really needing anyone else… until she does.

In a refreshing take on being OK with your own company, Colette lists all the things she can do by herself – from flying, eating, and foraging to keeping monsters away at night and sleeping alone under the stars. It’s from this firm sense of self that Colette also learns to reach out to others, who offer to light her path in the dark, accompany her on an adventure, or simply listen to her stories.

Pascale Bonenfant’s colourful illustrations depict Colette as a complete and content person – whether she’s by herself or in the company of her friends in the forest. It’s less a lesson-heavy story than an adventure that celebrates the benefits of independence and the joy of coming together to make life a little easier – and a lot more fun. mRb