The First Children’s Book By The
Haunted Zoo is Pun-Packed with Kindness
Story by Alysia Therrien
Photography by Trevor Booth
What happens when you mix humour, Haunted Zoo characters and a message of kindness? You get an original children’s book that is not only fun for the littles, but also for their adults.
Local designer and muralist, Jeff Denomme, took Haunted Zoo’s signature character Maverick the bee and published the first book of The Adventures of the Honeycomb Heroes Series titled Bee Considerate. A project that Jeff claims was 20 years in the making, hit the market this past June.
The premise of Bee Considerate is that Maverick, the bachelor bee and production worker, becomes smitten with the queen of the hive, Mabel. Taken aback by his charm, the two become a pair and end up having a family of their own. Since we all know the queen bee runs the hive, Maverick finds himself now a stay-at-hive dad with two little bees and a lot of free time. A dad of two, what else is there for him to do? Well, according to the real queen in Jeff’s life, his wife Christie, the new dad, “decides to take the bees out into the community and he teaches them how to be considerate in the greater world around them.” Christie continues by sharing how Maverick does little things like modeling ways to help clean up the community and encouraging the humans to take care of the space around them.
Bee Considerate is crafted to match the tone that Jeff and Christie have with their own kids. As Jeff chimes in with a joke saying that it’s a lot of “math and snacks”, Christie clarifies that humour is a big part of their life and parenting style. However, she continues by indicating, “Our primary focus is to raise considerate children who are making positive contributions in the world around them”.
The theme of Bee Considerate is one that a lot of parents resonate with, but it’s not just the message that is hooking them in. The book is filled with clever puns, friendly humour and some content that is specifically targeted to adults. These “little nuggets”, as Jeff calls them, are what grown-ups are finding hilarious, which makes this first book in its series a laugh-out-loud, family-friendly time.
The Haunted Zoo brand itself hosts a vast collection of colourful characters whose eyes have been strategically opened wide by Jeff. This signature eye styling is what makes his haunted crew unique. As Jeff shares, “even in the face of big issues, these characters stay aware by keeping their eyes wide open and filled with hope for a brighter future where humans and animals live in harmony”.
Jeff began formulating his unique artistic vision back in the early 2000s. His first entrepreneurial venture, Fathom Clothing, attracted huge success across North America and Jeff was able to sponsor famous bands such as Silverstein and Taking Back Sunday on the Vans Warped Tour. He became known for his original, edgy style that included bold graphics and distinctive characters.
In 2007, Jeff entered a snowboard design contest for TELUS at the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival, the largest annual winter sports and music festival in North America. He came in second place after thousands of people cast their votes by texting in their favourite design. On his snowboard submission was the bee, known today as Maverick, and after this national recognition Jeff locked into the bee as his main character for his brand, The Haunted Zoo. A maverick, Jeff states is, “somebody who can lead people towards positivity,” which is exactly what he is doing by inspiring this new generation, “to dream big and act with compassion”.
Jeff took a decade-long art hiatus and remerged his creative endeavors in late 2023. It was his own son’s love for The Haunted Zoo characters that sparked him to dive back into this universe and evolve it into a more family-friendly art brand. His experience in graphic design allowed him to refine his collection of hallowed-eyed characters.
Interestingly enough, Bee Considerate was not meant to be the first story in the Adventures of the Honeycomb Heroes series. Although they had the plot of the first story developed, Jeff and Christie realized they had some introductions to do. Before diving into the whole universe, Jeff shares, “we had a different story, but I said I can’t do that because people don’t even know about the bee yet!” Bee Considerate focuses on the family of bees, who they are and what they do. The final page of the book presents The Haunted Zoo universe, revealing the collection of characters that are to come.
Jeff is starting the second book of The Adventures of the Honeycomb Heroes series this winter in hopes to have it ready for publishing by spring. The theme of this next book is being yourself and what makes you unique. In this one-and-only universe, all the characters may be haunted, but Jeff believes we are all haunted by what we did and didn’t do. Yet, for these characters, “The eyes are wide open, and they are watching over you,” says Jeff, “they feel if they all stay together then they can make the world a better place.”
Jeff and his Haunted Zoo crew plan to connect with the community and promote their new series throughout this new school year. They are hoping to host author visits, live readings and wish to continue encouraging creativity within the local schools. In line with fostering arts education, Jeff also offers his BEE CREATIVE: The Art of Confidence for Kids program that introduces students to street art. With the book at his fingertips, Jeff hopes to seek further opportunities to spark curiosity and conversations about art and kindness.
The Haunted Zoo has big plans coming up to unleash creativity in Windsor-Essex. Jeff and Christie encourage people to connect with them via social media for their latest outreach opportunities, as well as a new exciting project that is on its way. Follow their joyful movement on Instagram @thehauntedzoo or visit hauntedzoo.com for more impact and inspiration.
Published in the Anniversary 2025 Edition.
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