Book Review: Snug as a Bug?

At-A-Glance

Title: Snug as a Bug?

Author: Karl Newson
Illustrator: Alex Willmore
Series: None

Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Ages 4-8
Release Date: June 6, 2023

This book reminds me of: It was hard to think of a close comparison. It’s upbeat and catchy like the The Wonky Donkey, but it has more layers to both the story and the illustrations like the Bad Seed.

Review

What does it mean to be Snug as a Bug? An unsuspecting bug answers a knock on his door, only to be greeted by a snake. He runs away fast as he can, but more dangers await in this adventurous tale.

“I may be small…. but I’m mighty!” Bright, dynamic illustrations enhance the fun of this upbeat, rhyming picture book. Perfect for reading aloud, parents and teachers can use this story to open a discussion about choosing how we react to challenges and setting healthy boundaries.

Storyline

Meet a bug who is as snug as a bug can be. Oh, but not for long! Along comes a knock on the door and suddenly he’s off on a wild and risky adventure…

Bug is chased by creature after creature—he’s clearly ever so tasty—through woodland, dark caves, and a mighty waterfall!

He barely escapes becoming someone’s dinner and comes close to meeting all sorts of sticky ends, but he keeps insisting he is “snug as a bug”! Can he make it back home? As snug as a bug can be?

Snug as a Bug is a hilarious picture book romp from Karl Newson, with energetic and characterful illustrations from award-winning illustrator Alex Willmore which help the story leap of the page!

Amazon
Goodreads

*** View more book reviews here. ***

Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Text for hosting #IMWAYR. Check out the other It’s Monday! What Are You Reading posts!

Super Doople Blog Tour Kickoff!

A blog tour celebrating Super Doople’s release starts today!

Pop over to Celebrate Lit to learn more about the tour and to read the kickoff post. Then come back each day to visit the various tour stops, where you’ll discover book reviews and behind-the-scenes insights.

Be sure to scroll all the way to the end of the kickoff post so you don’t miss the chance to enter the giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card.

Kickoff post: https://www.celebratelit.com/super-doople-celebration-tour/

Blog Stops

Have a Super-Doople Day!

Book Review: Unicorns NOT Wanted

At-A-Glance

Title: Unicorns NOT Wanted

Author-Illustrator: Fred Blunt
Series: None
Audience: Ages 4-8

Genre: Picture Book
Release Date: May 02, 2023

This book reminds me of: The unicorn, wild west setting, and interjecting characters remind me of the Lego movies.

Review

Unicorns NOT Wanted takes a no-unicorns-allowed stance on storytelling. But try telling a unicorn and her pug sidekick that!

This cute book offers colorful illustrations, and a pair of fun interjecting characters. I do wish there was more to the story, but overall anti-unicorn readers (and even some unicorn fans) will enjoy in the humor and engaging illustrations.

Storyline

A humorous take on the unicorn trend, Unicorn NOT Wanted is funny picture book starring an uninvited unicorn that hijacks the story.

“There are way too many unicorn stories, so this book will be A UNICORN FREE ZONE! And it will be set where you definitely won’t find unicorns… THE WILD WEST!

This is an anti-unicorn, unicorn story, which pokes fun at the never-ending stream of unicorn books , but then becomes what it sets out not to be… thanks to a unicorn intruder!

A unicorn arrives in disguise as a horse on the first pages, but when her hat is removed and her horn exposed, chaos ensues…

It’s really silly, but has a positive message of not stereotyping people and being yourself.

Amazon
Goodreads

*** View more book reviews here. ***

Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Text for hosting #IMWAYR. Check out the other It’s Monday! What Are You Reading posts!

Book Review: Rot, the Cutest in the World

At-A-Glance

Title: Rot, the Cutest in the World

Author-Illustrator: Ben Clanton
Series: Rot, the Mutant Potato
Series #: 1

Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Ages 4-8
Release Date: December 19, 2017

This book reminds me of:

Content: Picture of a potato with a butt.

Review

Rot is over confident in the beginning until he sees the other contestants. He compares himself to them and self-doubt settles in, shrinking his confidence. Trying to look cuter, he imitates the others: adding bunny ears, whiskers, and even painting himself pink. But his attempts fail. In the end, he decides to just be himself.

Rot, the Cutest in the World uses humor and fun illustrations to relay the importance of being yourself. The story opens an opportunity to discuss behaviors like comparing to others, jealousy, and a healthy level of self-confidence. It also reinforces the lesson that to the right people you’ll have great value.

Storyline

A mutant potato learns that he’s pear-fect just the way he is in this bright, fun, and silly picture book from the creator of It Came in the Mail that will have kids collapsing in giggles (and rescuing the contents of the vegetable drawer).

Rot is a mutant potato. Like most mutant potatoes, Rot loves all sorts of games and contests. So when he sees a sign for the “Cutest in the World Contest,” he can’t wait to enter.

But when Rot realizes who he’s up against—an itty-bitty baby bunny, a little-wittle cuddly kitten, and an eenie-weenie jolly jellyfish—he loses confidence. Will the judges find room in their hearts for an adorable mutant potato?

Amazon
Goodreads

*** View more book reviews here. ***

Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Text for hosting #IMWAYR. Check out the other It’s Monday! What Are You Reading posts!

Super Doople and Listening as a Creative

It’s not easy for me to put this into words, please know I’m doing my best.

Super Doople began as a fun and silly superhero twist on the Humpty Dumpty story. I often smiled as I worked on it, thinking of egg puns and adding details to the artwork—like Humpty’s cake shop or Little Doople in a warm bath. 

Throughout the creative process, the story grew beyond silliness. It became a story about resilience and listening to others. And it seems, about a month before Super Doople releases, the story has grown again, spilling over into real life. As I now find myself in a position similar to Little Doople, one that calls for resilience and listening to others.

While early reviews have included encouraging and uplifting remarks, some have also mentioned the story’s message was not clear enough for young readers.

As a parent, I empathize. So, after praying about it, I added additional text to the story and altered an illustration. I believe these changes strengthen the message that Little Doople learned to listen to others.

Joy and love went into creating this story, and that is what I hope others experience when they read Super Doople.

I’m grateful to all those who have read my stories and supported my creative endeavors. It means more than you know.

If you won an advance copy of Super Doople in the Goodreads giveaway, please reach out to me for a digital copy of the updated story.