The Bugliest Bug

by Carol Diggory Shields, Scott Nash (Illustrator)

Overview

"A rollicking, tongue-in-cheek entree to the entomological world." — Publishers Weekly

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763622930
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/12/2005
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.31(w) x 9.81(h) x 0.15(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Carol Diggory Shields thinks "insects are awesome! As I studied insects for THE BUGLIEST BUG, I realized that every invention people have come up with, from catapults to jet propulsion, had already been invented and used by bugs for millions of years. And that is why to be ‘bugly’ is the ultimate compliment." Carol Diggory Shields is a children’s librarian and lives in northern California with her family.

Scott Nash is the illustrator of many children's books, including OH, TUCKER! by Steven Kroll and MARTIAN ROCK and SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP by Carol Diggory Shields. He lives with his wife on an island off the coast of Maine.

Editorial Reviews

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)

bn.com

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.

Publishers Weekly

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.

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