Hi Folks.
 
Here I am, looking for more advice.  Thanks in advance.
 
Our beekeeping club has pretty much decided how to handle our local school
and kids requests for bee information.  And the local 4-H ers want to get
in on it too.
 
Here's what we are planning:
 
The local conservation officer has agreed to allow us to place a hive or
two on the local "Conservation Outdoor Classroom" site.  The site is a
couple acres behind the local high school.  The hives will be somewhat
secluded to try to prevent vandalism.  We plan on, eventually, building an
information board with pictures, etc.  The kids visit the site and learn
about conservation efforts, usually by the busload.  Maybe someday, even an
observation hive.
 
I spoke with the local 4-H agent.  I suggested that the 4-H'ers use the
hive as their 4H project.  They would have to meet a year round thing, so I
suggested they must help various beekeepers maintain hives, paint hives,
build hives and frames, over the non beeraising times.  Also, many 4H
parents won't bee too happy to invest a coupla hundred dollars in a hive
with no chance for a good return in the first year.  (As you know, most 4H
projects are sold at the end of the summer.  Sometimes for a real good
profit)
 
Here's the question.  Which texts are the best to use for the 4Hers to
learn about beekeeping.  As beginners they probably need to learn about
bees, but not just that.   And the text should be easy enough for about a
10 year old to read and understand.  It has to have beginner beekeeping
stuff in it also.  I would like the beeclub to purchase the books and lend
them out.  Hopefully any of the kids that decide to go on to beekeeping
will need more advanced books.
 
Any suggestions or recommendations?  I have read about most of the books
out there.  And even own about 4 or 5.  But not sure about the beginners
from this standpoint.
 
Thanks, again.
 
Judy in Kentucky, USA