Some Bugs, by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

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Some Bugs, by Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel is an absolute delight to look at and read out loud. This is the second picture book for Angela DeTerlizzi, who is married to the brilliant illustrator and author, Tony DiTerlizzi, author of The Search for WondLa, Kenny and the Dragon and, of course, with Holly Black, the Spiderwick Chronicles which, unbelievably, are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series with new covers. DiTerlizzi has written a simple but infectious rhyme, with almost every line beginning with the refrain, "some bugs." This buoyant text, along with a ladybug guide and her cat companion, guides the reader through Wenzel's vibrantly colorful illustrations that call to mind the work of Eric Carle (whose blurb appears on the front jacket) but less static.



Some Bugs begins in the backyard with a our ladybug guide emerging from a drainpipe, a curious cat looking on, scattered butterfly nets and the lines, "Some bugs STING. Some bugs BITE. Some bugs STINK. And some bugs FIGHT!" The illustrations above are for the lines that begin, "Some bugs HOP. Some bugs GLIDE. Some bugs SWIM.  And some bugs HIDE!"


As the illustrations and our guide travel across the buggy terrain, observations reach a crescendo of action, ending the story with the words, "So KNEEL down close, LOOK very hard, and find SOME BUGS in your backyard!" Wenzel's final depiction of a busy backyard scene, picnic included, is a look-and-find for all the bugs that came before as well as a butterfly net finally getting some use. Best of all is the super cool glossary of at the back of the book that includes all the bugs and their names (and a name for the cat)!


Some Bugs is definitely one of those books you will be asked to read over and over, and not just because of the rolling, rhyming text. There is so much to see in Wenzel's illustrations, every spread in this book is a symphony of color and activity, especially the anthill! I can't wait to see what Angela DiTerlizzi and Brendan Wenzel do next!

And, for readers who just can't get enough bugs, don't miss Bugs Galore by Peter Stein, illustrated by Bob Staake. Also told in rhyme, Bugs Galore is a bit sillier in both text and illustration.




Source: Review Copy

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