The Very Ugly Bug

by Liz Pichon

In a wonderful story about self-acceptance, an ugly bug, desperately wanting to be pretty like her friends, makes herself a disguise, only to discover that it is better to be herself--especially when she ends up in a dangerous situation.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Humor, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

L. Pichon says that when she was little, she loved to draw, and her mom said she was very good at making a mess (this is still true today). She kept drawing, went to art school, became a designer and art director at Jive Records, and began to publish children’s books. After its publication in the U.K., The Brilliant World of Tom Gates won several prestigious awards, including the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, and the Blue Peter Book Award. L. Pichon lives in Brighton, England, with her family.

Reviews

[Slayermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute and endeared itself to me from the first page. The very Ugly Bug admires all the other bugs and the reasons of why they are made the way they are with tiny eyes opposed to her big googly eyes, their smooth backs opposed to her hairy back and their wings to fly into the sky. She decides that she wants to have talents like them to avoid the birds as well, as she can't seem to figure out what makes her so special. Her talents are soon revealed though when a bird flies in for a tasty lunch. yum yum!
This book is filled with funny bold pictures in the brightest eye catching colours. The children in my class adored this book and I’ve had to promise that we will read it again tomorrow. :0)
I also loved the subtle message of how everyone is different and has qualities that make them special.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the end.

[Raelicia Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a bug, who is thought to be the ugliest bug of all. She tries to become different bugs by changing her appearance. She believed other bugs were better because they were able to ward off an evil bird from eating them due to their appearance. So, she tries to change her shell, eyes and attach wings. However, she came to the realization that the same things that made other bugs special, she had in a different way. All the things that made her "ugly", she began to love and so did Mr. Ugly Bug. The two ugly bugs fell in love and have uglier kids.

The flaws that you dislike most about yourself will be the same thing that aids in your success in life.

Personally, I really liked the book because it tackled issues like comparison and self-love. Also, the book highlights how it would just be better that we accept ourselves. I loved reading books like this in school because it carried a message and the illustrations were life-like to keep my interest.


I recommend this book for all levels because it teaches lessons on differences from physical appearance to skills set. It shows how you should not be envious of anyone else because you are just as special. Also, there are several ways to implement this book in classrooms like, designing arts and crafts to describe a moment where you felt different. To add, older students could learn about text bubbles, onomatopoeia and how to use descriptive words in their assignments when referencing this book.

[Caitlin Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a Very Ugly Bug who did not like the way she looked. She thought that her eyes were to big, head to wobbly and lumpy, her back had too much hair, and her legs were too spotted. She then went on to compare herself to all the other bugs who had opposite characteristics than herself. She designed a costume that would help her fit in. In return her costume made her very appealing to a bird and she almost tried to be eaten. She shook off her costume and became the ugliest bug again and the bird no longer wanted her. Then came along Mr. Ugly Bug who thought she was just beautiful and they ended up falling in love and having a huge ugly bug family. The major theme of this book is accepting yourself for who you are. I really enjoyed this book as it teaches such a valuable lesson to children. It shows them that they do not have to change for people to like them and that is just so important now days. I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with body image or maybe to children who are bullying others for there appearance. This would be. great way to introduce to them that everyone is beautiful in there own way.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this story! This may be one of my new favorite picture books. It was so humorous and and very goofy. This picture book actually made me laugh out loud! It’s so goofy and unexpected that the bug just gets even uglier! I even thought the birds reaction to the bug was hilarious! I LOVED it.


On a more personal note, my sister passed away recently, but this story brings me some happiness. The story and even illustrations are very similar to my sister’s style and illustrations from her own story about bugs and insects from our childhood. Maybe some day I can publish my sister’s stories and other people will laugh just like this story made me laugh.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

There once was a very ugly bug, who decided to take the attributes from all of her bug friends to make herself look more appealing. But in her haste to look not so ugly she was spotted by a bird who thought she look tasty enough to eat. The very ugly bug discovers sometimes it's just better to be yourself.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Grace Emma Lovesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING 11/10 read it with my friend in year 5 and we laughed our head off.

[Ashley Brenae · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun - my kindergarteners will love this story about an ugly bug that tries to make herself less ugly.

[Aleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very ugly bug begins to ask the other bugs why she doesn’t look like them. Each bug says why a specific feature is different and what it is used for (camouflage) so they don’t get eaten by birds. Soon the very ugly bug makes a costume to make it look like a combination of the three bugs. However it makes it more appealing to the bird. When the very ugly bug is scared its disguise falls off and scares the bird away.

A cute story about accepting yourself and finding the good qualities that you already have. I wish it wasn’t “a very ugly bug” but it still seemed to have friends and in the end was very happy with who she was.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about discovering difference and realizing that different doesn't mean better or worse, it just means different.
The Ugly Bug is different from every other bug, but what we learn is that the small or googly eyes and other features of a bug, are defensive mechanism...and being Ugly can scare the predators are away.
I like the illustrations, I like the story, this is a good one!

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny book that people of any age will enjoy.

The Very Ugly Bug is sick of standing out. While all her friends are camouflaged, to hide from birds, the VUB sticks out like a spot on a model's nose. It makes her very clear to any predators that may want to eat her.

A hilarious book with a good message. Kids will love it :-)

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a ugly bug and her quest to conform. Fortunetly she quickly discovers her uniqueness is her best asset. A funny tale of the woes of ugliness. A great read-aloud that is sure to make you laugh.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Very Ugly Bug wants to be conform to the beauty of her friends. In the end, it is her uniqueness that saves her life. A cute story with the moral that being yourself is best. The illustrations are clear and colorful, with fun text bubbles to add personality to the bugs.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations look fabulous. The text looks appealing and the colours stupendous. Can't wait to finish it and put it on my blog. Looks like a real kid-pleaser and a keeper for the collection.
Finished it. over it. Recommend it highly.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute celebration of ugliness! Most appropriate for older preschools, probably too much for toddlers.

[Sleeping · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a story about a bug that's silly who scares away a bird and has more than a million children.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must have done a good job of picking books this week, because it seems Frank liked them all...

This book is pretty cool. Frank liked the bugs a lot, especially the bugs disguise.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids love it!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was apprehensive about this book as it uses the word "ugly" so often, but it is about bugs, my son's favorite, so thought we'd try it. Glad we did. Cute moral.

[Tawny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute story about how we are all different for a reason! My preschoolers will love it!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great pacing and keeps my three year old on the edge of her seat over and over again.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly funny book that teaches a very valuable lesson of love who you are and don't try to be someone that you are not.

[Lizettes Escarpita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, short, and easy to read novel!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about adaptations and being yourself. This book is so good that I was laughing the frist time I read it out loud that I almost couldn't finish it. The kids loved it to.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love this book - very cute story.

[Chelsea Emery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to teach that everyone is perfect the way they are. Could defiantly use in the classroom in many different ways.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

about a bug who everyone thinks is ugly until she saves the day. Cute and a great message for kids.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science: defense mechanisms

Lesson: Be yourself/ it's designed to do what it does do.

Text to text: Clara caterpillar

[Daniel Lopez]

Summary: The "Ugly Bug" is a bug unlike any other that there is in the group. She is different from all the other ones and goes to the other bugs and asks why she looks different from them. The other bugs tell her that they are made this specific way because they want to be able to camouflage from the birds and not get picked off as food. The Ugly Bug believed that it also needed to be camouflaged in order to be like the other bugs and not get eaten, so she decides to make herself a disguise in order to appear like the other bugs. When the birds come around, they come and attack the ugly bug as she realizes that she stands out more with the camouflage compared to how she already looked! The Ugly Bug learns that she does not need to change and that she should love herself for how she was made.
Major Themes: Acceptance, Self-Confidence, Individuality
Personal Response: More and more children suffer from societies idea of what they should look like. I think this book is important in today's age as more and more children are trying to be something that they are not.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any one who may be feeling down about themselves especially at a young age. By showing love to them early on, maybe they too will begin to see how special they are.