That Stings! One Lonely Worker Bee Faces Hive-Shaking Choices in Three Bee Honey Vol. 1

A Heartfelt Middle Grade Graphic Novel About Family, Responsibility, Friendship, and Discovering What You’re Capable Of

Life in the hive is not all honey, sunshine, and cute little wings, folks. Sometimes it is pressure. Sometimes it is survival. Sometimes it is one lonely worker bee trying to hold everything together while the whole hive acts like stress is part of the job description.

This fall, Papercutz, the kids’ imprint of Mad Cave Studios, is bringing readers Three Bee Honey Vol. 1, a heartfelt middle-grade graphic novel debut from writer Desi St. Amant, illustrator Jon St. Amant, and letterer Haley Rose-Lyon. And right from the jump, this one sounds like it has the kind of sweetness that comes with a real emotional sting.

At the center of the story is Claire, a lonely worker bee whose hive is in serious trouble. She and her sisters have not gathered enough food to survive the coming winter, and now Claire has to keep up with the growing demands of hive life or risk starvation. No pressure, right? Just another normal day of trying not to let everybody die. Casual.

But Claire’s problems do not stop there. She also has to dodge pesky drones from a neighboring hive, predators looking to turn bees into lunch, and Nia, the Queen’s bossy hive deputy, who sounds like the kind of character who absolutely schedules meetings that could have been a quick buzz.

Things get even more complicated when Claire begins training her two sisters, Hannah and Abi. Suddenly, she is not just working to survive — she is responsible for others, carrying expectations, and trying to figure out who she really is beneath all that pressure.

And that is where Three Bee Honey Vol. 1 looks like it really finds its heart.

Drawing from their years teaching tweens and teens, Desi and Jon St. Amant have shaped this story into more than just a cute bee adventure. This is a coming-of-age story about identity, friendship, responsibility, community, and finding your place in a world that keeps asking more and more from you before you have even figured yourself out.

Desi St. Amant shared, “The three bees reflect different sides of my personality: sassy, bubbly, and an anxiously responsible leader.”

Jon St. Amant added, “I see myself in Claire, who, like me as the oldest among my brother and cousins, felt the weight of being a role model when I was younger.”

That right there is what gives this book its buzz. Claire’s journey is not just about saving the hive. It is about learning what she is capable of, discovering unexpected connections, and realizing that passion — including her newfound love of music — can lead to purpose, friendship, and belonging.

For fans of Kayla Miller and Victoria Jamieson, Three Bee Honey Vol. 1 looks ready to deliver a warm, funny, emotional, and relatable graphic novel experience for middle-grade readers and anyone who remembers what it felt like to be young, overwhelmed, and trying to prove they could handle more than anyone realized.

Family. Friendship. Perseverance. Music. Responsibility. A whole lot of honey. And yes, just enough sting to make it matter.

Three Bee Honey Vol. 1 goes on sale October 20, 2026, in paperback for $14.99 and hardcover for $19.99. Readers can preorder from their favorite bookstore, comic shop, or from Papercutz.com.

Papercutz continues its mission of publishing graphic novels for readers of all ages, bringing stories filled with humor, adventure, mystery, heart, and the kind of coming-of-age magic that sticks with young readers long after the final page.

This hive is buzzing. Keep your antennae locked in.

Papercutz is dedicated to publishing great graphic novels for all ages, from humor and adventure to mystery and heartfelt coming-of-age tales.

Stay up to date with Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to explore new releases, licensed series, and creator-owned titles.