The Bugliest Bug FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
Bugs abound in this new picture book by author-illustrator team Carol Diggory Shields and Scott Nash.
The stage is set amid the dirt and grass for a contest that will crown one of the book's creatures the bugliest bug of them all. Ladybugs, click beetles, cicadas, and even stink bugs come to the contest to give it their best shot. However, tragedy is about to strike when Dilly, the plain damselfly, notices the judges for the contests aren't insects but rather arachnids in disguise! He jumps into action and gathers all the bugs together. They use their natural bug strengths to defeat the menacing enemies. Without Dilly, all the bugs would have become lunch! Dilly becomes the story's hero and is given the title of the bugliest bug.
Shields' cheerful, rhyming text works just right with Nash's playful, vibrant illustrations. These bugs have teeth and smiles and colorful wings (some even have mustaches). Seen in their natural surroundings, these bugs come to life, whether they are strutting their stuff, stomping out predators, or doing the conga.
An added bonus is a pull-out page of bug trading cards. Each card features one of the colorful characters in the book, with a lifestyle synopsis on back. Great for bug lovers of all ages. (Joy Bean)
ANNOTATION
All kinds of insects compete to see who is the "bugliest" bug of all, but there is a sinister surprise behind the contest.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Click beetles clacked, and whirligigs whirled,
Crickets sang solo, and swallowtails twirled.
A ladybug curtsied, tumblebugs flipped,
The judges applauded, then licked their lips.
All of insect land is abuzz with news of a big contest! The demure Damselfly Dilly -- "neither clever nor frilly" -- has no thoughts of winning, but she's curious to find out who will. And what she sees makes her eyes bug out! Glowworms light up the stage, the audience hums with anticipation, and a panel of judges grins...but wait, aren't those fangs she sees glinting?
The wild and witty team that brought us Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp and Martian Rock is back with an exhilarating invasion of bombardier beetles, squirting stinkbugs, praying mantises, and one plucky little Damselfly who keeps her huge eyes open -- and seeing in all directions. Once again, Carol Diggory Shields's lively verse mixes fun, fancy, and fascinating fact, while Scott Nash's exuberant artwork virtually flies off the page.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
In a rollicking, tongue-in-cheek entree to the entomological world, Damselfly Dilly uncovers a plot by a group of sinister spiders who hold a "bugliest bug" contest and secretly plan to consume the credulous contestants. "A ladybug curtsied, tumblebugs flipped, The judges applauded, then licked their lips." The steady beat of the simple and often clever verse swiftly advances the predictable plot. Meanwhile, the almost fluorescent gouache and pencil illustrations put readers at the swamp-level action with close-ups of the pop-eyed cartoon insects, most portrayed with only four legs and comical humanoid expressions. Busy spreads aglow in yellow and orange buzz with animation, as humorous vignettes show each bug earnestly performing its talent (e.g., a trio of click bugs appears to doo-wop). Shields and Nash (previously paired for Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp) end the tale with a hurrah (stink-bug humor included), and readers will be cheered, although not surprised, to learn which bug is ultimately proclaimed "bugliest." Tear-out trading cards feature the book's stars with facts and lighthearted prose: "While most know him as Dung Beetle, Tumblebug prefers to be called the Original Pooper Scooper... (he just built and moved into a cozy ball of manure)." Ages 4-8. (Apr.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature - Nicole Peterson
"Can you please read that book again?" was the response that I received after reading this book to a 5- and a 6-year-old. This is sure to be a favorite for young children. The story is written in lively verse, so that it is easily read and easily understood. Bugs are described and illustrated, so that children can find the clacking beetles, the singing crickets, marching ants, praying mantis, and the twirling swallowtails. This fictional story is about a contest to find the "bugliest bug". So, after the insects all perform on stage Damselfly Dilly realizes the purpose behind the contest because he noticed that the judges weren't insects at all, rather they were spiders waiting to eat all of the six legged creatures. A free set of collectible bug cards is included with the book, and the cards are not only amusing to adults, but they teach the children about different insects. The illustrations are vivid and fascinating. Each of the bugs seems to have its own personality. After reading this book children will be much more informed about the insect world. 2002, Candlewick Press,
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-A book with a kid-pleasing subject. Shields's humorous rhymes are paired with Nash's cartoon illustrations of bugs with pincers, antennae, and horns; spotted bugs; striped bugs; all with huge eyes. These swarms of insects are winging their way to the Bugliest Bug Contest. They are so busy showing off that they fail to notice what young Damselfly Dilly has spotted-the judges have wings tied to their backs. These impostors are arachnids in disguise and have arranged the contest in hopes of snaring a tasty meal. When the curtain drops, it's a web, but the contestants manage to escape via Dilly's stage directions. Each bug uses its strength to fight-the army ants march, the mantises pray, but in the end it's the stink bugs who save the day. And, of course, though Dilly is small and has no special talents to display, her heroic actions have earned her the title of the bugliest bug of them all.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Home
