THAT STINGS! A lonely worker bee faces some big choices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JUNE 3, 2026 (PORTLAND, OR) — Life in the hive is a constant buzz of pressure, endless work, and precious little room to get anything wrong.

This fall, Papercutz, the kids’ imprint of Mad Cave Studios, brings 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—all about one lonely worker bee navigating responsibility, survival, and the unexpected discoveries that come from finding connection.

Claire’s hive is in trouble! She and her sisters haven’t foraged enough food to survive the coming winter. Now Claire, a lonely worker bee, has to keep up with the growing work demands or risk starvation.

And when Claire begins training her two sisters, Hannah and Abi, the pressures only increase. But it’s through these struggles that Claire discovers what she’s capable of…and much more.

Drawing from their years teaching tweens and teens, Desi and Jon St. Amant shaped Three Bee Honey into a heartfelt story about identity, friendship, responsibility, and finding your place in a world filled with pressure and unspoken expectations. Through Claire’s journey, they hope readers come away understanding that following your passions can help lead you toward connection, purpose, and a stronger sense of belonging within your community.

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.”

For fans of Kayla Miller and Victoria Jamieson, Three Bee Honey Vol. 1 is a heartfelt debut graphic novel about a lonely worker bee torn between her newfound passion for music with new friends and loyalty to her endangered hive. An engaging story about family, friendship, perseverance, and finding your place in a world that expects a lot from you.

Three Bee Honey Vol. 1 goes on sale October 20, 2026, in paperback (ISBN: 9781545833469 | $14.99) and hardcover (ISBN: 9781545833476 | $19.99). Preorder from your favorite bookstore, comic shop, or from papercutz.com today!