Doug's Dung

Once Upon a Garden

by Jo Rooks

Discover all of the lovable creatures and their stories in the Once Upon a Garden series.

Doug has trouble lifting heavy balls of dung. He just doesn't feel as strong as the other dung beetles. When Doug feels down that he isn't tough enough, a passing butterfly helps him see things in a different light and he realizes that strength comes in many forms. An uplifting story of a determined dung beetle who finds his unique strength in creating beautiful things inspired by nature, flowers, friends, and the garden.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Animals, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2020

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Magination Press and NetGalleyh for a free ARC in return for an honest review. What a cute book and it features Dung! Yes Doug is a Dung Beetle but rather than train to build up his strength and power, he prefers to make friends with butterflies. A good story, with pretty good illustrations to accompany it, we learn that not every dung beetle (or person, obviously) has the same abilities and Doug is an artist who uses his talent to show his own abilities. Good book, good lesson and a good book to either read to kids or read with them!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another cute title from the Once Upon a Garden series. In Doug's Dung, we meet a dung beetle named Doug who's not as physically strong as his friends, but who finds his strength in his creativity instead.

It's a cute theme of brains versus brawn, with the strong dung beetles eventually coming around and learning to value Doug's gifts. The illustrations are amusing, especially when Doug is turning his artistic talents loose on his dung balls.

Overall, this is another nice addition to the series. Readers who enjoyed the previous books will probably like this one as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for providing a digital ARC.

[Christi M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dung Beetles! After reading this, I had a little bit of fun looking up on the Internet fun facts about this cute little beetle.

Doug’s Dung is a story about finding what you love and are good at and accepting those who are different.

Dung beetle’s are very strong and have lots of power. But even though Doug tries and tries he just isn’t very good at what other Dung beetles do. But then, he gets inspiration from a petal. He decides to make art out of his balls of dung. From there he gets another idea and another. Eventually, he wants to have an art show, but no one shows up. That is, until a butterfly wants to see it and then everybody becomes interested in it.

I love having a picture book focusing on the dung beetle. Picture books are awesome in all their options and creativity. The story was cute with key words or phrases within the story such as ‘determined,’ ‘never gave up’ bolded for emphasis. The only issue I had was the transition from no one showing up, to the butterfly wanting to see, followed by the dung beetles feeling sorry about everything. I felt like there just needed to be one additional piece tying the art Doug has created to why the other beetles felt bad. To me, it seemed they were only sorry because they weren’t part of the cool crowd looking at the art. I mean, it’s pretty accurate for human behavior, but not generally seen in picture books.

Rating: 4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and American Psychological Association for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug is an adorable dung beetle whose talents and strengths are his creativity and sensitivity. I found this gentle story perfect for teaching little ones how to recognize that differences make us all stronger together. Recommended!

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is a beautiful book about a dung beetle called Doug who isn't strong like the other dung Beetles but finds he has creative strengths and learns to pursue them no matter what the other dung Beetles said or thought.
This book is great for encouraging children that not everyone is the same and strengths can be very different in each person as an individual. This is a great book for teaching children about diversity, resilience and respect.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Doug's Dung is a picture book about a little dung beetle named Doug who doesn't quite fit in with the other dung beetles. While, the rest of them are always lifting weights and exercising so that they can be strong, Doug prefers looking at butterflies and nature. One day he begins creating art out of dung and creates his own art show. The other dung beetles make fun of him at first but then they decide to make art with Doug .

This is a nice little book about being true to yourself and what you like to do. And who doesn't like the idea of making art out of dung?!?

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Natassia_trav · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is OK to be different, it is OK to be yourself... and people will learn to live with it and accept you the way you are... eventually. This is what this book is all about and I think everybody could learn something from it.

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about accepting you and the acceptance from other as well doing what you like and are good at and not what the other expect you to do. I like the message in this book and the art was also very pretty!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 21st March 2020 - publication day!

I thought that this was a lovely book and the images are great.

The story is easy to follow and I liked the end, the book gets the message across well and it is a very good point well made - everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses as we are all unique and individual.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, it is another lovely book by this author - very highly recommended!!

[Leila Rae Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book with wonderful illustrations. I read it to my two year old granddaughter and she loves it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. I am also ordering a copy for her bookshelf.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is super CUTE! I love the illustrations and the story. The illustrations are vibrant and draw the reader in and the story is one of accepting people for who they are and loving each other's differences. Doug makes beautiful art out of something not so beautiful, and sees the world around him in a different way than everyone else does. I would definitely recommend this to everyone!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book about a dung beetle named Doug who didn't like to do what every other dung beetle in the garden seemed to like to do. Doug wanted to make art, with dung. He painted the dung to look like other insects in the garden, like a ladybug for example. The text is simple and flows nicely. I really enjoyed the illustrations as well. I do find it weird that throughout the entire book they never explain that dung is poop. It is clear this book is geared toward younger children (4-7 y/o) so there is a good chance they don't know what dung is. I think the author missed an opportunity to bring up within the first couple pages that dung is poop, which children of this age would find interesting and funny. #Netgalley

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that will give many a chuckle, as well as successfully portray the benefits of thinking outside the box. Dung beetles are just supposed to be interested in balling up, lifting and moving dung, but Doug is different, and has different strengths. This should comfort the youngster who's not the sporty kind, and give impetus to many who have their own interests that, if they only get knowledgable or talented enough, will still manage to wow the naysayers. That simple message is really well conveyed here, and while Doug's antler-shaped antennae are not a patch on his contemporaries', I know who I'd rather be.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested and received an advanced reading copy of this book from NetGalley.

This book was cute. I love that it used the dung beetle as the main character.

This story is about being true to yourself and believing in yourself when no one else does. Doug isn't built to move dung around all day, he just wants to be an artist. Doug puts up with taunting and bullying but believes in his dream to become an artist. Eventually Doug's beliefs change the opinions of all his friends, and he becomes the artist he always dreamed he would be.
Great book for teaching kids about self-esteem, bullying, and perseverance.

#DougsDung #NetGalley

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandson enjoyed Doug's Dung. I think he liked learning a bit about dung beetles the most. In Doug's Dung, we meet Doug, a dung beetle who is not strong like his friends. He wants to make friends with the other creatures in the garden. He is also very creative and eventually his creativity is needed. The illustrations are wonderful and we laughed at Doug painting on balls of dung. This is a story of brain vs brawn and teaching that they are both needed in this world. It is also about finding what you love and are good at and accepting those who are different. Another good addition to the Once Upon a Garden series.

[Susan Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have ever thought that poop and art could be combined to create a charming book abouut acceptance for readers in pre-kinderarten through third grade? As odd as it might sounds, it works. And it works well. Doug doesn't want to join the other dung beetles as they excercise. Instead he want to create works of art. He covers balls of dung in the most unusual things such as pollen, petals and currant juice to transform poop into projects. He doesn't listen when others tease and proudly displays his art for all to see. You can't help but shout out loud to cheer Doug along.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doug's Dung has it's greatest strength in the playful addressing of finding one's own talent. Doug is a dung beetle who wants to be strong and tough like the others. He is told that each has their own talent and skill, and goes on to discover that his gift is art. Being valued for what he does best makes Doug feel strong and valued. This book is part of a series of books in the "Once Upon a Garden" series and the characters are lovable and engaging.

[Ada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful book! It has lovely illustrations, that are bright and fun, as well as teaching a very valuable lesson. It shows children that they are special and can be anything they want, not just what other expect or want them to be. It also shows that, if they work hard and believe in themselves, they can achieve anything they want. It is a brilliant book and we highly recommend it!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sweet picture book you will meet Doug, not your ordinary strong Dung beetle. Doug is different from the others and soon discovers his own way to be himself. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but this book is perfect for those with desire to be their true selves (and not yield to peer pressure) and those that may feel a little different. This is a great book for children and adults! It warmed my heart!

[Amit Verma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is story of a dung beetle.
And a dung beetle who is outlier.
A beetle who craves art and creativity.
Who looks farther than just doing mechanical jobs and filling his belly.
An inspiring story for kids to promote creativity and innovation.
Artwork is very good.
Story is in simple vocabulary easily readable by kids.
Book teaches moral lessons of grit and perseverance.

Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.

[Abby Johnson]

Doug isn't strong like the other dung beetles, but he has talents in different areas. I feel like there was a lot of potential for humor that wasn't realized in this book, but the message will speak to those who need to hear it. Hand to families with kids who need a confidence boost when they feel like they're not measuring up to peers. We all have our strengths.

[Jess Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Doug’s Dung was a little too preachy for my taste, the story was effective in demonstrating that individuals carry with them unique gifts and insights that can enrich and beautify their environments and relationships.

[Kasey Gilbert Poindexter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doug the dungbeetle is trying to build his strength so he can move his dung pile. Instead, he finds inspiration in nature and begins to create his own art.

I feel pretty indifferent towards this one. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

[Kaitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute concept that has been done better before. Pictures are nice but the text is stilted. This wouldn’t work well as a read aloud and there’s nothing in it that would make it a favorite for little ones. Try Unstinky instead.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute, and I like that it encourages creativity. But it’s a bit too didactic in the end. It was unnecessary for the author to spell out the story’s message so blatantly. Readers are smart. Even little ones. They’ll get it.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Determined dung beetle discovers his unqiue strength.

[Soumya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating - 2.5.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

A variation on it's ok to be yourself, but I felt it missed the opportunity to tell the bullies they were wrong

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug may not be as strong as the other dung beetles, but he has strength in his creativity which inspires others even the other dung beetles.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate: Haha. There's a book called Doug's Dung.

Livi (coming around the corner): Doug's dung? I want to see Doug's dung!

Me: You already have a book.

Livi: It's a book?