________________ CM . . . . Volume XVI Number 7. . . .October 16, 2009

cover

The Delicious Bug.

Janet Perlman.
Toronto, ON: Kid Can Press, 2009.
32 pp., hardcover, $16.95.
ISBN 978-1-55337-996-6.

Subject Headings:
Chameleons-Juvenile fiction.
Insects-Juvenile fiction.
Sharing-Juvenile fiction.

Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 4-7.

Review by Gregory Bryan.

*** /4

   

excerpt:

They both caught the bug at the same time!

The two good friends started to laugh.

"How amusing," Willy spluttered. It was hard to speak with his tongue sticking out.

"Quite amazing, really," Wally slobbered. "Now would you mind letting go?"

Willy was surprised. "But I saw it first."

 

Willy and Wally are two chameleons who are the best of friends. Unfortunately, one day they both catch the same "delicious-looking bumblebug." The argument that follows upsets the tranquility of the rainforest the chameleons share with numerous other creatures. Young children will enjoy reading or hearing about what trouble Willy and Wally get into when they refuse to share the bug. The Delicious Bug will, no doubt, remind children of the importance of co-operation and sharing. Yet, Janet Perlman's text is not distractingly didactic. Rather, her story is well told and humorous. Perlman's story is admittedly a simple one, but it is thoroughly entertaining nonetheless.

internal art     The attractive artwork was rendered in Photoshop. The illustrations feature a predominantly cool colour palette largely consisting of various blues, greens and purples. In addition to the main narrative text, the story is carried forward with words appearing occasionally in character voice balloons. Based on Perlman's short 1996 animated film, Dinner for Two, The Delicious Bug is a book that young children will enjoy and that parents will appreciate.

Recommended.

Gregory Bryan teaches literacy education classes in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

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