The Bugliest Bug

by Carol Diggory Shields (Author) Scott Nash (Illustrator)

The Bugliest Bug
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

In this rousing read-aloud from the creators of Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp, 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 see who will. Lively verse mixes fun, fancy, and fascinating fact, while exuberant artwork virtually flies off the page.
Select format:
Paperback
$8.99

Find books about:

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.)

Review quotes




Carol Diggory Shields
Carol Diggory Shields is the author of popular collections of poetry for young readers, including Lunch Money and Almost Late to School. A former children's librarian and storyteller, she lives in Salinas, California.

Sophie Blackall is the Caldecott-winning illustrator of many distinguished picture books, including Finding Winnie, Big Red Lollipop, and The Baby Tree. She is the illustrator of the popular Ivy & Bean series, and she also collaborates with John Bemelmans Marciano on the Witches of Benevento series. Finder her online at sophiblackall.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780763622930
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
April 12, 2005
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV002140 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Insects, Spiders, etc.
Library of Congress categories
-

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!