A local author's latest children's book is set to help celebrate Kenilworth's status as a bee friendly town and will be launched with a special event at Kenilworth Books this weekend.

Fletcher and the Bee - the latest in the Fletcher's Four Seasons series - is set to be launched on May 20, World Bee Day.

Written by Julia Rawlinson, the picture book is full of "friendship, kindness, nature, discovery…and dancing" and tells the story of Fletcher and Bee's journey through the woods, learning new dances from Fletcher's friends.

"I love the fact that bees dance to show each other where to find flowers, and I had an idea for a story about a bee who kept getting her dance wrong and sending her friends on hopeless quests," Julia said. 

"Bringing Fletcher and his friends into the story meant we could explore the wonderful ways different animals move, going on a journey of nature discovery while helping Bee find her dance. 

"I hope the story sparks children's interest in bees and makes them want to find out more about these amazing insects – as well as encouraging them to dance their own dance!"

To celebrate the launch of the book, Julia is teaming up with Bee-Friendly Kenilworth and Kenilworth Books for a celebration on Saturday 24 May.

The free event, running from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Kenilworth Books, will include a free signing, colouring and crafts.

"Join us for colouring and crafting to celebrate the publication of Julia Rawlinson's new book and World Bee Day," Judy Brook of Kenilworth Books said.

"As a business we have a strong history of supporting local authors, so we are delighted to be hosting this event from the launch of Fletcher and the Bee.

"Come down to Talisman Square to make sure you don't miss out!"

A Fletcher and the Bee Story Walk and colouring will also be at Guy's Cliffe Walled Garden Bee Weekend on 17 and 18 May, and at Bee-Friendly Warwick's Bee Wild event at Hill Close Gardens on 14 June.

Kenilworth was officially named a Bee Friendly Town in 2022 after two years of work promoting biodiversity in the town.

Find out more about Fletcher's Four Seasons here, and head to the Kenilworth Books website here.

Fletcher and the Bee launches this week (image supplied)