The Girl Who LOVES Bugs

By Author / Illustrator

Lily Murray, Jenny Lovlie

Genre

Environment

Age range(s)

Publisher

Pan Macmillan

ISBN

9781529048049

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

30-03-2023

Synopsis

The Girl Who Loves Bugs is a hilarious and heart-warming story empowering young girls to always be curious, from superstar writer Lily Murray and Waterstones Prize-winning illustrator, Jenny Lovlie.

Evie loves bugs. And she's fed up of having to keep up with her mums and brother on walks when she'd rather be peering under logs and examining snails. So, one day, she decides to bring the bugs inside, so she can be with them all the time. The problem is, the family is coming to stay, even fearsome Great Gran, who doesn't stand for any nonsense. And on the day of their arrival, Evie wakes up to find her bugs have escaped . . . all over the house! What is Great Gran going to say?

A beautiful, bug-filled story about following your dreams, and the unconditional love of family. With ideas and tips at the back for looking after some of your own bugs (outside!).

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Reviews

You either love insects or you don't. If you don't, The Girl Who Loves Bugs will make your skin crawl and gasp in horror at the thought of so many bugs running wild in your house. If you do, though, this story will inspire and delight.

Evie is a little girl who loves bugs, much to her brother and her two mum's disgust. Evie isn't deterred, though, and sneaks a whole mini beast collection home from a family picnic to keep in her bedroom as pets. Sadly, the insects creep out into the house and spread out, just as all the aunties, uncles, cousins and great Grandma arrives for a party. Evie is sad because nobody appreciates her pets (well, really - who could tolerate ants in their pants?) but great Grandma turns out to be an insect expert who helps Evie build a proper mini beast habitat for her pets....outside!

The text of this book is told in rhyme, which makes it easy to read and encourages joining in. The pictures are detailed and whimsical and the inclusive-ness of Evie's family is never mentioned but is a nice touch. There is a note at the end, explaining that the book was inspired by a real-life girl who loved bugs and grew up to be London Zoo's first female Insect House curator.

This book is the perfect gift for a little girl who likes bugs or a lovely addition to a school library, reminding everyone that insects can be loved as well.

Picture book / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher