Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective

Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective

by David Biedrzycki

When Queenie Bee goes missing, Ace Lacewing is hot on the honey trail. With his trusty sidekick, Sergeant Zito the Mosquito, Ace combs Motham City for clues. But the suspects are piling up, including Motham enemy number one, Al the Drone. Will Ace find Queenie Bee before it's too late? Moody illustrations capture the feel of film noir.

Genres: Picture Books, Mystery, Fiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

In his early years David created stories for his parents and friends. A commercial artist since 1980, his work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, book covers, billboards and even ice cream boxes. The supermarket is like a gallery of his work.

Now he has now returned to his first love of picture book storytelling. He has illustrated close to 30 books including self-authored and award winning Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series, Me and My Dragon series and his newest series Breaking News Bear Alert, a Junior Library Guild Selection and winner of book the Illinois Monarch Picture Book Award and the Georgia State Picture Book Award. David travels the world extensively to over 100 schools a year sharing his digital book making process with aspiring young writers, illustrators and readers.

Reviews

[Sarah Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ace Lacewing, a top detective, has his hands full with this high action case. Missing honey is at the center of this case and it is up to Ace to figure out what is going on. Ace must piece together all the clues and solve the case before time runs out for Queenie Bee. This is a formula fiction mystery book however, I believe this would still be a great addition to a classroom library. Students would love the dialogue and characters in this story as well as the colorful illustrations. Given that the plot is predictable, I feel this would be a good book to use as a mentor text in the primary grades. This would be a good mentor text for fictional writing. There are good examples of dialogue, the characters are interesting and would provide a broad spectrum for students, and the setting is similar to a world that students are used to. With that, a teacher could read this book and then help students write their own fictional mysteries. Overall, I think this is a fun, relatable, and comfortable book that would be a great addition to a classroom library!

[Tori Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ace Lacewing Bug Detective, a mystery picture book, by David Biedrzycki, takes readers on the journey of finding Queenie Bee. When Ace Lacewing, the detective, gets the phone call that Queenie Bee is missing, he immediately begins searching for clues and questioning suspects in the hopes of finding the missing bee before it’s too late. Following his leads and clues, Ace Lacewing arrives to Drone HoneyWorks. He bravely and creatively finds a way into the building- by rolling on a dung ball! The mantis captured Ace and his police sergeant, Zito the mosquito. When Ace and Zito realize who was behind the disappearance of Queenie Bee, they were completely shocked! The ending was definitely a surprise to me; I was not expecting Queenie Bee’s sister to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping! Princess Pollen was well liked by everyone! Biedrzyki does an amazing job of tying humor into his suspenseful picture book. The illustrations in the book are very colorful and allow readers to feel like they apart of Motham City.
This is a wonderful read aloud for students in 3rd and 4th grade. This book could help students understand sequence of events. The students could fill in a graphic organizer, such as a timeline, that illustrates events that took place during the book. It is important that the students understand that the events have to be in a certain order, or they don’t make sense. The organizer can outline the steps Ace Lacewing took to bring Queenie Bee home.

This book can also be used to teach students about literary devices and vocabulary. The Ace Lacewing Bug Detective picture book contains many examples of similes, such as, “My head spun like a whirligig in a whirlpool”, “The full moon hung in the sky like a large compound eye as we left the police station” and “It happened quick as a cricket.” This book will help students understand that authors sometimes use similes in books to create visual images for readers. Also, this book contains wonderful vocabulary that teachers can use to help students understand the text. For example, there are a lot of words that focus on bugs such as “exoskeleton,” “honey,” “pollen,” “maggot,” “tiger beetle,” “molted,” and much more! These words can help students develop a deeper understanding of the types of bugs and their jobs. There are also words that can be used to teach Tier 2 vocabulary to students such as “misconception” “witnesses” and “suspicious.” Teachers can help students create child friendly definitions for these words so they will be able to use and understand these words in different contexts.

This was a WOW book for me because I completely loved the surprise ending. As I was reading, I was trying to figure out who kidnapped Queenie Bee, but I never once thought it could have been her own sister! My favorite books are mystery books because I love the suspense. Until I began reading mystery books, I didn’t enjoy reading. When I began reading this genre, I fell in love with the suspenseful and mysterious plots. I hope that by introducing my students to all the different genres, I can help students develop a love for reading.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard-nosed "Sam Spade"-like gumshoe detective story written for children, with all of the characters as bugs. It's an entertaining story and humorous for both children and adults. The illustrations are great and have many details that children may not catch, but adults will find humorous. It's similar to the Chet Gecko-Private Eye series of books, but in a picture book format. Our girls also enjoyed watching the story on the Tumblebooks website. (tumblebooks.com)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! When Queenie Bee goes missing, Ace Lacewing is hot on the honey trail. Phil Marlow watch your back. This bug is hot and so is his girl a lovely rare butterfly Xerces Blue. Great puns, Al the Drone is prime suspect. "Outside Drone Honeyworks the smell of honey is hanging thicker than ants on a popsicle stick." Very colorful book. Watch for all the little signs like No Fly Zone, Crawl, Don't crawl ect. You'll catch the reading bug with this one. " See ya, wouldn't want to bee ya."

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the way this children's book was written. In a few short words on each page it totally reminded me of those old private detective agency books. The first time I read it out loud I found myself using the affected voice of a narrator of a Private Detective movie. It made me giggle, it gets a five :)

[Brandy Nall]

Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective, is a book of mystery geared towards 4-5 grade students. I personally found this book to be so enthralling, I was glued in and laughing on nearly every page. The story takes place in the city of Motham, a place that bugs call home. As the detective, Ace Lacewing, tries to solve the current mystery of the missing queen bee, he comes in contact with several creepy crawly characters. Students who have an interest in insects will love this book. There are several instances of bug jokes spread throughout the text. For example, cockroaches wear sunglasses because they scatter in the light, and walking sticks can’t run because they are walking sticks.
Teachers can use this book to discuss dialogue and voice in writing. Most of the insects mentioned in this book speak at one time or another throughout the text. Students will be introduced to quotation marks, and words such as “said” and “asked.” Discussions can also be directed towards how different characters have differing sounds/voices in the text. Another use for this mentor text is with discussions of first person narratives. This story is written from the perspective of Ace Lacewing, and from the very first two pages students will be able to recognize the use of “my,” and “I.” As teachers read this text aloud during an interactive read-aloud, they can stop and ask their students questions, such as their prediction of what comes next.
The language used in the text might be a little tricky for younger readers to understand. Terms like “alibi,” “pupae,” “aphids,” “screamin,’” “whadda,” and “nyuk, nyuk” might need to be introduced or explained before the story is read or during reading. Overall, this book is very engaging and has many facets that can be selected for class discussions, not to mention the suspenseful mystery of the missing queen. Will Detective Lacewing find Queenie the queen bee, or will he be too late? Read Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective to find out!

[Rachel Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book mimics a classic crime mystery story from decades past, which I did not enjoy, but I am sure some readers will enjoy that narrative style.
This title introduces the main character for a series of mystery stories by Biedrzycki, told at the scale of a bugs world. The story follows a classic mystery arc, with Lacewing pursuing a queen bee in distress, only to find a jealous princess is responsible for her peril. The story is disappointingly predictable and I am personally disinclined to use literature that reinforces gender stereotypes to this extreme, but it does offer a wealth of word play and insect-infused facts. I imagine children who are fascinated by bugs, Sherlock Holmes or clever word play will really enjoy this book.
If I were to use this book in the classroom, I would focus on the clever word play and the ways his writing mimics that of other writers.
Among the many creative plays on words are examples of synonyms, syllepsis, paronomasia, puns, malapropism, antanaclasis, and double entendre.
The abundance of word play would provide ample opportunity for students to construct meaning using context and analyze the construction of words and phrases. For many students, it would also be a fun and engaging practice of embedding meaning and humor into words. Research supports the use of wordplay for creating meaningful language learning opportunities, so I appreciate what this book has to offer as a model of writing style.
I would recommend this short mystery as a read-aloud for grades 1-4.

The research supporting this approach to instruction can be found here:
Camille L. Z. Blachowicz and Peter Fisher, "Keeping the 'Fun' in Fundamental: Encouraging Word Awareness and Incidental Word Learning in the Classroom Through Word Play."

[Maya Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book in class and then we had to stop and move onto the next activity. I kept my page because I was so interested in how it was going to end and if Ace Lacewing was going to solve the mystery and who committed the crime. This is a book that would be fun to share with a class of students. Everyone could have guesses on who did it.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queenie Bee is missing, and it's up to Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective to solve the crime. With a little help from his friends, Ace is out to close the case. This pun filled mystery is sure to keep you guessing until the end.

[ann :-) · Rating 5 out of 5]

dr xerces blue is my OG femme fatale. possibly the perfect children's book: interesting, funny for kids and adults, actually kind of educational, and super memorable (i tracked it down bc lines and jokes were stuck in my head 15 years after first reading!)

[DPM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should rate this 5 stars! It's my favorite book! I've read it like 20 times already!

[Pegi Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read-aloud will be as much fun for the adults as the children. Clever illustrations: lightning bugs as street lamps, police caution tape that says "Police Bug Off."

[gremlinkitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute and clever take on noir detective novels/films.

[Craytonh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and engaging short mystery for children. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I loved the fun wordplay with bug terms.

[Lauren Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and fun storyline. The illustrations had many fun clues and references.

[Jauna Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The children would love this book. It’s very funny

[Kaley Coburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It engaged me, and many students will be able to connect to this

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good detective story but it has ideas and jokes in it that not many littles are going to understand. This would be better read with an adult to help explain all the intricacies.

[Jenncw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book that is actually a pretty decent mystery. Pay close attention to all of the details in the illustrations!

[Stephen Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most hilarious children's book that I've ever read. I found it impossible to not laugh as I read it aloud to some children.

I dare you to try it.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this to a class of first graders, and I think the bug jokes and puns went way over their heads. I wasn't a fan of this...another GIO (glad it's over) book.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some years ago, I saw a show at the Orlando Science Center that featured a bug in a trench coat who talked like Sam Spade. I wondered what it was based on. Now I know: Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective.

The voice in my head when I read this book had a Sam Spade accent still. Maybe because I saw that skit years ago. Maybe not. In any case, Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective does read like Dashiell Hammett meets the insect world in picture book form. It’s great fun. And funny. When I reached the line “I wondered if he had a license to pass gas” I laughed out loud. I know people who need that license.

The artwork is wonderful. The bugs look like bugs. In clothes. And having facial expression. In film noir. And yet the species is still recognizable. Perfect!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is almost more fun for the reader than the listener, I think. Particularly since my listener was 3 1/2 and didn't get a lot of the bug/honey references that made it very tongue in cheek. It is similar to the Mystery at the Club Sandwich (I preferred that one a little bit) and is interesting to read to a young child since mysteries aren't very common in the picture book section. I saw that our library has another one in this series on its new book shelf, so I will probably check it out sometime.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teton County Library Call No: J PICTURE BIEDRZYCKI D
Kurt's Rating: 4 Stars

Ace Lacewing is a private investigator in the City of Motham. Mayor Buzzbee asks him to investigate the disappearance of Queenie Bee, a major town celebrity who endorses the products of the Hive Rise Honey Company. Ace follows a suspicious trail of warm honey from the scene of her apparent kidnapping to the factory of a honey-producing rival. What is going on here? Can Ace and his friends Dr. Xerces Blue and Sergeant Zito the mosquito solve the mystery and save Queenie?

[Juli (Olson) Morneweck]

Not a chapter book, but might be a fun MTH book club book for December or some other month where the book would be better off as a shorter lighter fare.

AR 3.5; as of 5/16, 16 copies in network.

Program ideas:
Honey
Sleuthing
Bad puns


Summary: Ace Lacewing is on the case of Queenie Bee's kidnapping, while all his girl Xerces Blue wants is to share a dish of Aphids A La Mode. Ace notices a trail of honey leading away from the scene of the crime and follows. Xerces has to save Ace twice, but eventually, he gets his bee and his Aphids A La Mode too.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the bug references throughout (punny!) and film noir style illustrations. Ace is a detective trying to solve a crime: who stole the honey from the HoneyWorks? This longer picture book would be good for an upper elementary bug unit in which students could test out some of the facts about insects.

[Aleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a lot of references that kids may not get especially since it was more like a crime scene and followed the lines of detective stories. Felt like an old fashioned movie with bug references. This might be good for the older kids but adults are more likely to get the jokes and references than kids. Overall though it was cute.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little detective story with Ace Lacewing as the great bug detective. Queenie Bee has been kidnapped and it's up to Lace and his assortment of friends and co-workers to figure out the why, how, and where. Full of puns and private eye references that while the kids might not get, parents sure can enjoy.

Excellent illustrations.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a cool book, better for older kids, i love the detail in the picture
probably most of the text is on a higher level than kids books generally are
(gumshoe detective style) but really good for a kid who likes insects etc
i'm looking forward to the sequal!