Mississippi judge and former Oxford resident James D. Bell has penned a buzzworthy new book with an important message: BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero. A colorful, charming and cleverly illustrated children’s book, “BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero” is published in trade paper and eBook editions and now available wherever fine books are sold.

Award-winning novelist and Mississippi native Judge Bell weaves together a magical, meaningful, moving and marvelous story in his first ever children’s book. The story of a young orphan bee trying to prove himself to the hive that adopted him, “BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero,” at its heart, is a story about loyalty and resilience, bravery and determination, compassion, forgiveness and belonging.

It was released in conjunction with National Bullying Prevention Month in October, carries with it an important anti-bullying message.

According to Judge Bell, “While it may seem like a bit of a departure from writing two previous legal thrillers, BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero is a story I thought needed to be told. With bullying reaching near epidemic proportions, I felt compelled to deliver a book that was entertaining, but one that carried a message that so many children need to hear: the message about the importance of resilience, honesty, doing the right thing, being forgiving and above all, being kind. I wanted to deliver that message in a way that was both entertaining and impactful—and felt that a lovable, but somewhat awkward main character such as BeeBop would give children both a character to root for and identify with.”

About BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero: BeeBop, a young orphan bee, wants to make a name for himself in the hive that adopted him. But prejudice and an oversized bully bee stand in his way. The hive desperately needs a major nectar find before winter and BeeBop makes the biggest discovery in the history of the hive. When he announces his discovery, BeeBop finds himself in a terribly sticky situation: seems no one believes him — except for his best friend. Together, they convince the hive to take a chance and travel a great distance to retrieve the nectar, but when they arrive, the flowers are gone and the nectar is nowhere to be found. Rejected, dejected and shamed by the hive, BeeBop must overcome despair, doubt, a bully and even a bear to solve the mystery of the missing flowers and regain the respect of his best friend. Will BeeBop overcome impossible obstacles to save the hive, or will all “bee” lost?

Resplendent with charm, wit, and an engaging, educational storyline, BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero includes a Parent & Teacher’s Guide.

Judge James D. Bell is an award-winning author and retired judge who received the highest bar association approval ratings ever given to a Mississippi Circuit or County Judge. A native of Mississippi who lives with his wife Joanne in Crystal Springs.

Bell is the author of two previous legal thrillers, “The Vampire Defense” and “Maximilian’s Treasure.”