Mr. B's Busy-Bea (The Ritzzz Hotel)

Overview

Do you think Santa exists only for human-kind? Think again! The Ritzzz Hotel, situated in the Land-of-Santamonious, is the home of a colony of bees and their very special Queen. They are incarcerated, however, by an invisible curse which is closely guarded by a colony of vicious and nasty creatures called Dragasps (a cross between a dragonfly and a yellow jacket wasp). The Dragasps need the curse to remain so that they can feed on the bees’ honey—the stocks are dwindling to a dangerously low level.

Arthur Smith, known as Teddy, the lucky student to win Mr. B’s famous toy for the Christmas holidays, teams up with his Grand-daddy Royston and Busy-Bea to help free the Queen and her colony from their curse. They are confronted with many problems along the way, including losing Grand-daddy Royston when retrieving honey stored under water, needed as fuel for their journey. Then, they meet with many fearful obstacles in the Land-of-Nowhere, which they have to surmount—just to get to the Ritzzz Hotel! When finally there, they have to conjure up a way to persuade the Dragasp Queen to lift her curse, which is not that easy!

Teddy and his family are poor and have no possessions, but his kindness is so great it would fill the whole world twice over, though he doesn’t realise it. His selflessness, wondrous and fabulous adventures with Busy-Bea bring a lot of joy—not only for his own family...

Mr. B’s Busy-Bea Series

I trained as a secondary school teacher in the subject of design and technology (DT). When I qualified there wasn’t many DT jobs around, but I applied for the ones that were and like many other people, sought supply or substitute teaching whilst I waited for interviews. I taught at a school called Apley Wood in the primary sector. At first it would be one day a week, then all of the week then all of the month until I ended up doing a whole term. They took me on as a full time Yr3 teacher.

My youngest son, Thomas, when having a Happy Meal in a well known restaurant one weekend, decided that the toy inside the box was for girls and wanted to throw it in the bin. It was a soft fluffy black and yellow hooped toy bee. I rescued it and decided to take it to school with a vague motivational idea of a student winning it if their work was good during the week running through my mind. I called her Busy Bee. The students were brilliant and we took to each other very quickly; they dubbed me Mr. B and my class (Base 10) became known as Mr. B’s Busy Bees.

On one occasion, one of the girls in the class, who had won Busy Bee for the weekend, handed her back to me on the following Monday along with a small notebook in which she’d written everything she had done that weekend involving Busy Bee. From then on, other winners also wrote their accounts and the notebook became Busy Bee’s diary.

Many years later, when I started to write my Barley’s Biscuit series, my brother Stephen commented that I should write a Christmas story. I wanted to branch out and do something different and that was when I remembered my happy times with Base 10 at Apley Wood school. ‘Busy Bee could have a name.’ I remember thinking and had recently personalised one of my Barley books to a girl named Bea, so that’s where her name came from – Busy-Bea (Short for Beatrice).

The stories are in two parts. The first adventure is all about Busy-Bea collecting fuel (Honey) for her journey deep into the world of bees with the lucky student(s) who won her. There is always something wrong going on that threatens the well-being of the bees there. Busy-Bea alongside her companions are sent in by Mr. B (with a little magic) to sort things out; this becomes the second adventure. To date I have written five Busy-Bea stories with a hopeful ambition of writing ten to cover a whole school year.

Roy Bradshaw - Author

Roy Bradshaw, a children's book author based in Shropshire, has a unique approach to storytelling that captivates young minds. Through his series "Barley’s Biscuit," Roy invites children into a world of adventure set in the picturesque landscapes of Shropshire, fostering a love for reading and exploration. His tales are not just stories; they are journeys that encourage curiosity and imagination among young readers.

Each book in the "Barley’s Biscuit" series is crafted with the intent to teach and entertain, blending educational themes with fun. Roy Bradshaw’s background in teaching shines through as he carefully constructs narratives that are both engaging and instructive. His deep connection to Shropshire, where he has lived for over half his life, enriches his stories, making them resonate with authenticity and love for the local environment.

The vivid descriptions of Shropshire’s nature in his books do more than just set the scene—they inspire children to explore the natural world and appreciate its beauty. This connection to nature is a consistent theme throughout Roy's work, reflecting his personal appreciation for his surroundings and his desire to share this with his young readers.

Roy's passion for his craft and his commitment to children’s literature make him a standout author in the field. His books are more than just leisure reads; they are tools for learning and growth. By introducing children to the joys of reading through stories deeply rooted in the heart of Shropshire, Roy Bradshaw not only promotes literacy but also instills a sense of wonder and adventure in his readers.

In addition to the "Barley’s Biscuit" series, Roy Bradshaw has crafted other engaging children's stories, all infused with the same charm and educational value. His characters are vivid and relatable, making each story a delightful read for children and a valuable resource for parents and educators looking to encourage a love of reading.

For those interested in discovering the magic of Roy Bradshaw’s children’s books and exploring the enchanting world of Shropshire through his narratives, more information is available on his website. Whether you are a young reader or a parent looking for compelling children's literature, Roy Bradshaw's works are a treasure trove of adventures waiting to be discovered.