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A Touch of Fantasy
Bugs That Bug You is a rhyming story centered around a young boy frustrated by the numerous bugs that inconvenience him at every turn. Where did the idea for this story come from?
Yes, I experienced bugs who bugged me at the time. A very annoying fly would buzz around my head every morning and wake me up. Then a cockroach flew directly towards me. This is what inspired me to write the book.
What is it that draws you to write children’s literature?
I love the fun of it all. Usually, children’s literature has a positive tone to it, and you can add a bit of fantasy to it. This is why I love childrens literature, you can almost come up with anything you like 😊
Is there anything from your own childhood included in Fred’s character or his experiences?
Yes, we had weasels in our oats when I was a child; that’s why I added the weasels to Fred’s breakfast.
Can young readers look forward to seeing more from Fred? What are you currently working on?
At the moment, there’s nothing more from Fred. But you never know I might come up with in the future. I’m currently working on “Oh Dear, There’s Gum in My Hair,” a series of “Oh No, There’s Poo on My Shoe.”
Thank you, I hope you enjoy my books. Thanks Again
Author Website
It all begins when a fly buzzes around his head first thing in the morning. Then come the weevils in his breakfast, a moth that munches a hole in his favourite jacket, and an ant that crawls up his pants!
As the day goes on, more and more bugs appear, and Fred is getting fed up. But Mum has some wise words: don’t let the bugs bug you – enjoy the rest of the day!
A fun, rhyming story full of pesky pests, giggles, and a gentle reminder to shake off the small stuff and keep smiling.
Bugs That Bug You
Fred is stuck in one of those days, the kind where nothing goes right and everything seems to crawl, buzz, or flutter in his way. From the first fly that zips past his head in the morning, the mischief snowballs. Breakfast is sabotaged by sneaky weasels, a moth takes a bite out of his jacket, and an ant boldly marches up his pants. With each new annoyance, Fred’s frustration grows, yet the chaos unfolds with such playful absurdity that young readers can’t help but laugh.
The rhyming text keeps the pace snappy and musical, making it a delight to read aloud. Rhythm transforms Fred’s exasperation into comic relief, so giggles replace groans. Children will revel in the silliness of every buggy encounter, while parents will appreciate the subtle reminder tucked into the fun: sometimes, the small irritations of life aren’t worth letting ruin the entire day.
The heart of the story beats through Fred’s mum, who gently nudges him to lighten up and find joy despite the pests. Her presence grounds the tale, offering both comfort and a lesson that lingers, resilience matters, whether you’re fending off flies or bigger frustrations.
Illustrations amplify the humor, packed with detail and plenty of creepy-crawlies to spot and discuss. They invite conversation, laughter, and the chance to share in Fred’s exasperation while enjoying the spectacle.
Bugs That Bug You balances humor with heart. It’s a picture book that entertains while quietly teaching the importance of perspective. With rhyme, rhythm, and a parade of pesky intruders, it earns its place as a storytime favorite, one children will request again and again, and parents won’t mind rereading.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0FMKPNXKM
Saving Endangered Insects
Livy Little Honey Bee is the story of a honeybee who is not afraid to be herself despite the challenges she faces from the others in her hive. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
One of my granddaughters, Olivia (nicknamed Livy), who was four, expressed some fear one day when we were out in the garden picking flowers, that a honeybee would sting her. When I explained that bees won’t sting people unless they feel threatened and that they have a job to do gathering nectar and pollen, she was fascinated. As Livy has an independent streak in her, and definitely sings to her own tune, whether it’s what she wears or what books she likes to have read to her, I combined her personality with the science of honeybees.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I only write books for young readers that focus on animals or insects that are threatened or on the verge of extinction so one idea I wanted to share in Livy Little Honey Bee was that bees are very important to our environment as pollinators(The Queen Bee says “We need the flowers and the flowers need us”.) And, while I don’t say it directly, bees are at risk due to insecticides. Hopefully if children become more interested in the life and work of honey bees, they will become advocates for their protection. I also wanted to encourage young readers to believe in themselves even if it means possibly not blending in with the crowd. Livy loves to live in the moment, yet also promises the queen she will be a responsible citizen and, to me, that is an important message to reinforce to all young children.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with Mira Hirabayashi?
I am lucky to find extremely talented young artists from RISD. Mira was eager to illustrate the book once she read the text, and we worked together via zoom for about a year to get each illustration just right. We’d meet every two weeks or so and she’d show me her progress. Then when we were done, we turned it over to the designer who got it ready to go to the publisher’s printer. I can’t think of any issues we had except in the beginning getting Livy’s face just right and figuring out how to create the hive….which is, in my opinion, the best illustration in the book.
Are you currently working on any other children’s books? When can fans expect to see your next book released?
I have two more books written and currently being illustrated: One is Sophie, the Monarch Butterfly, Mission to Mexico. It is about a little butterfly, Sophie, who ends up leading a migration of hundreds of monarchs south to Mexico for the winter. Sophie is the name of another of my granddaughters. And of course, Monarch Butterflies are endangered. Linda Chambers, a friend, is illustrating that one. The other book is Connor, the Red Panda. This book is being illustrated by another RISD student, Joyce Guo. It’s about two Red Pandas and a Pangolin who must leave their habitat due to many dangers from man and climate warming and cross the mountains to safety at an animal sanctuary. Red Pandas and Pangolins are also extremely endangered. And as always, all royalties from these books are donated to the appropriate organizations dedicated to saving the animals or insects.
Author Links: Website | Instagram
For children of all ages, Livy Little Honey Bee intends to explore the courage and self-confidence it takes to stand up for who you are as well as the nature of honey bees and the critical contribution they make to our environment through pollination of earth’s flowering plants.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book is donated to the Pollinator Partnership, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other organizations dedicated to preserving the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education and research.
Livy Little Honey Bee
Celia Straus’s Livy Little Honey Bee is an enchanting children’s book that delivers a vibrant celebration of individuality and self-expression through its colorful illustrations. This narrative, woven with delightful rhymes, follows the journey of Livy, a spirited bee whose zest for life is as infectious as her love for the beauty of nature. Her days are spent in pursuit of nectar, but unlike her peers, Livy infuses her tasks with joy and playfulness, turning work into an exhilarating adventure.
As the plot unfolds, readers will discover the tension between conformity and creativity. Livy’s non-traditional approach to her responsibilities is met with skepticism by her peers, leading to an engaging storyline that gently guides young readers to understand the delicate balance between personal freedom and communal obligations.
The book’s illustrations are a feast for the eyes, with warm hues that leap off the page, drawing children into Livy’s world. Each image is crafted to complement the story’s upbeat tone, making the experience of reading not only educational but also visually stimulating.
Livy Little Honey Bee offers an array of thoughtful themes, from celebrating the courage it takes to be authentic to embracing one’s passion in all aspects of life. It’s a narrative that encourages young minds to think independently, fostering analytical skills that will serve them in all areas of life.
While I found the storyline thoroughly engaging, there’s an element of complexity as Livy learns to balance her innovative spirit with her responsibilities. I believe younger readers might need additional guidance to grasp this nuance. However, children who revel in imaginative tales and those who are beginning to explore their own place in the world will find much to love in Livy’s journey.
Livy Little Honey Bee is a charming and insightful read that encourages children to find and revel in their unique voice. It underscores the vital message that confidence in one’s self and one’s feelings is a gift to be nurtured and cherished.
All author proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to organizations dedicated to preserving the health of pollinators critical to food and ecosystems.
Pages: 25 | ISBN : 978-1923020016
Don’t Step on the Spider
Don’t Step on the Spider is a charming children’s picture book that educates readers on the importance of life and how every insect benefits mother nature and brings balance to the ecosystem. Kirk Raeber accomplishes this with very easy language and a cute comic art style.
Young Tim is at his grandparent’s house when he decides to go out and play and encounters a spider. He’s about to step on it, like I think most people would do, but is stopped by his grandfather. His grandfather tells him that every creature has a right to live, and to prove his point he takes Tim on a jaunt through the forest to meet many more insect friends.
Every insect they meet along the way is adorable and friendly, and each one explains how they contribute to the ecosystem. There is plenty to learn in this book, even I learned about the importance of ants! This is a great book for early readers or for parents and teachers to read to children. This book provides many opportunities to discuss nature and how everyone has a role. Don’t Step on the Spider skillfully informs and entertains young readers and is one book I can see reading several times.
Pages: 35 | ASIN: B0842DJSWV
LITERARY TITAN 