Bug

by Robin Koontz, Amy Proud (Illustrator)

When a bug-crazy girl needs to ace a big math test, she finds a clever way to solve her problems, 100%.
 
Bug is the nickname-that-stuck for a quirky little girl who‘s mad about insects and drawing . . . and hates arithmetic. But when her teacher promises the class they can go on a field trip to the science museum only if everyone does well on their math test, Bug knows she HAS to pass. This humorous, character-driven story shows kids who struggle with math (or any subject) that there are many ways to find the correct answer—if you use your imagination and count on the things you love.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, School, Childrens, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2019

About the author

Robin Michal Koontz has been writing and illustrating books for children since 1986. Her publications include novelty books, early readers, picture books, nonfiction, short stories for middle-grade readers, magazine articles, and classroom supplemental materials. One of her new books, LEAPS AND CREEPS, was a finalist for the 2012 Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BUTTERFLY AND A MOTH? was an International Reading Association Teacher's Choice Award in 2010. She lives in western Oregon.

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childrens Picture Book. The story is named after the main character, a young girl who earned the nickname "Bug" because she "loved every winging, singing, crawling, biting, stinking, slinking, stinging bug there was." Bug likes to observe the bugs around them and to draw them. She spends so much time thinking about bugs that she falls behind in math. But one day, as she is observing bugs in a field, she realizes maybe her beloved bugs can help her understand math. She aces her test when she shows all of her work using bugs.

A cute story, with calm, pale illustrations. A message about people learning in different ways but still being able to succeed. A bit too much text for the preschool crowd, but could be read aloud with elementary school students. Can be used to discuss growth mindset, learning differences, or how to illustrate word problems in math.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations as you can see by the cover, and a good introduction to math (beyond basic counting).
I appreciated that the teacher had the students "show their work," and any young kid learning the same thing would get a hoot out of how this kid goes about it.

Fun

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book

[Michael Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story with a great message, and beautiful pictures. Best to be used in a math themed story time.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it might not entice a child that hates math to like it, it is a cute story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science and math go together even in early elementary! woot! LOVED this book

[Y.Poston]

love the story, encouragement &
lovely drawings!

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, but I felt like it was a little more complex and convoluted than it needed to be

[Lorellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about counting, bugs, and being a proudly weird kid. I dig the doodle style art. Tot will grow into it.