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Thursday, October 7, 2010

I Love Bugs! Written and illustrated by Emma Dodd. Holiday House, Thomas Allen. 2010. $21.50 ages 2 and up

"I love springy jumpy leapy
bugs
and slimy crawly creepy
bugs."

They are almost gone for this year...as the weather cools and the nights get downright cold, few bugs want to hang around in hopes that there is still warm weather on the horizon. I don't blame them and I welcome their departure. No more sticky webs to sweep off windows, and flies to swat inside the house. Wait...it sounds like I don't love bugs. (I don't!) But, that doesn't matter to the little one pictured here.

He loves ALL bugs and he doesn't mind describing them for us. From big and small to hairy and scary...he is intrigued by each and every one of them. And so we go exploring with him. With bright colors and oversized depictions, we enter his world of wonder and gaze in amazement at the variety of bugs in his neighborhood. Each has its own special allure and he is content to watch and enjoy them under logs, in hives, at picnics, in the daytime and at night.

The lilting rhyme will have listeners catching the rhythm and practicing the descriptive words in quick time, as their toes tap and their fingers snap:

" I love flouncy frilly flutter bugs and silly clitter-clutter bugs."

Who wouldn't delight in that language?

The collage illustrations are filled with bold outlines, changing perspectives, bright backgrounds and many details for young readers to pore over. Soon, they will naming the many bugs they recognize. It might even inspire a bug hunt of your own. Go for it!

The surprise ending is perfect!

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