Hello, Can I Bug You

by Sherry Roberts

Overview

Jasper likes bugs. Briella likes to swing. Both of them are quiet and shy.

One day Briella takes a chance and asks Jasper to be her friend. She soon realizes that getting Jasper's attention will take a lot of effort.

After several failed tries, Briella learns that making a new friend can be rewarding and fun, especially when bugs are involved.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781959548096
Publisher:	Solander Press
Publication date:	04/17/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	2 - 9 Years

Editorial Reviews

2023-07-19
Two bashful students find friendship in this picture book about making connections.

Briella notices her classmate Jasper even though he is quiet. The other kids pick on him, but Briella understands: She’s shy, too. She decides she wants to be his friend, so on a day when she feels brave, she asks about the bugs he is looking at. At first, Jasper doesn’t talk, not even when Briella offers gummies. So she tries to learn more about bugs, thinking they’ll be able to chat. Finally, she catches a ladybug and gives it to him—but it dies in the box. Her attempt is just what Jasper needs to make an effort of his own. He gives her gummy worms and asks: “Will you be my friend?” While the story feels simple, the hurdles that the children both overcome are their shyness and the fear of not being recognized. Briella’s perseverance and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone to make a friend offer young readers valid techniques for trying to forge their own connections. Roberts uses simple phrases and short sentences to tell the enjoyable story. Taylor’s cartoon illustrations of the two white friends, with soft, watercolor-like backgrounds, have plenty of vibrant hues (and bugs) to please young readers. Briella’s facial expressions when dealing with bugs she detests are particularly charming and will likely elicit giggles.

An engaging tale for bug lovers—and shy readers looking for pals.

Kirkus Reviews