Barnaby the Bumble and Charlotte's Big Bee Adventure

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​In a sunny little garden in Orleans, Ontario, lived a tiny, fuzzy bumblebee named Barnaby. Charlotte, who was five years old with brown hair and neat bangs, loved watching him. She also loved to help her plants grow big and strong.

​Barnaby drank so much sweet nectar that he grew into a huge Big Bee—the biggest, fluffiest, most adventurous bumblebee in the whole neighborhood!

​One sunny afternoon, Barnaby zoomed right up to her ear. "Charlotte!" he buzzed. "I'm ready for my Great Pollination Adventure! Since you love helping plants, will you be my partner, my Adventure Pollinator?"

​Charlotte's eyes sparkled. "Yes! How do I help?"

​Barnaby landed on her shoulder. "We'll sprinkle magic dust—pollen—all over Orleans! I'll use my fuzzy body, and you can use your gentle hand to do the work of a Big Bee!"

​A Tour of Orleans in a Buzz

​Their adventure took them across the sunny streets of Orleans.

​First, Barnaby zoomed toward a big bush of pink and red roses. "Charlotte, watch me!" Barnaby dipped deep into a red rose. Fuzz! Buzz! When he pulled out, his body was covered in golden pollen dust. He flew to the next rose and brushed the dust off.

​"Your turn!" Barnaby buzzed.

​Charlotte carefully held out her hand. She bent down and gently pressed her palm onto the center of a big, yellow rose, swirling it just slightly to pick up the invisible golden pollen.

​Then, she moved to a pink rose and gently brushed her hand against the center of the new flower. "Pollen delivery complete!" she whispered, giggling.

​They went to a tall fence covered in bright sunflowers. Barnaby buzzed the giant yellow petals. Charlotte reached up and carefully tapped her whole hand into the center of one sunflower to collect the thick powder, then carried it to the next sunflower head for a second tap and transfer.

​Down by the bike path, they found delicate bluebell flowers. Barnaby taught Charlotte to gently cup her hand around the small flowers, shaking them lightly, just like a bee, to make the pollen fall deeper inside.

​Their final stop was a bright patch of orange marigolds. Charlotte carefully used the side of her hand to brush along the petals, moving pollen from one puffy flower head to the next.

​As the sun began to set over Orleans, Charlotte and the Big Bee sat back in her garden.

​"You are the best Adventure Pollinator ever, Charlotte," the Big Bee rumbled. "Your gentle hand helped hundreds of plants today. They will all grow seeds and fruit because of our wonderful work!"

​Charlotte gave the Big Bee a very careful, soft hug. "Thank you, Barnaby! Being a pollinator is the best adventure of all!"