Hustle Bustle Bugs

by Catherine Bailey, Lauren Eldridge (Illustrator)

Secret cities buzz and bustle
with itty-bitty hard work hustle.
Crouch down low—hush. You’ll see
how bugs build a community!
 
Ready with their magnifying glass, camera, and scrapbook, two young sisters head into nature to discover all the bugs they can. And these critters are hard at work! From carpenter ants chewing up old trees (like builders clearing a construction site) to butterflies spreading pollen (like gardeners planting seeds) to crickets making beautiful sounds (like musicians playing instruments), bugs belong to a busy world just like people.

With amazingly detailed photographic illustrations of realistic creatures and environments—created with coffee grounds, flower petals, foam footballs, and more—and a bouncy, rhyming text, Hustle Bustle Bugs  will have young readers looking more closely at the grass, leaves, and trees around them—and appreciating the community they share!

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 22, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Maker of successful television series and documentaries.

Reviews

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rollicking rhyme is fun and snappy with interesting facts sprinkled on each page and awesome back matter. The illustrator's style is perfect for this book. The first time I read it, I glanced at her note, then went back and admired all the 3D effects of real dirt, etc. Then, I read in depth how she created everything else. Brilliant!

The author and illustrator make an amazing team--I hope they’ll have many more books together.

[Christiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reviewer said kids are "cool!" or "yuck!" about bugs and I would argue Christianas are also this way. Although I am more of a "yuck!" about bugs, this book is interesting enough that it was ok (and admittedly, the first time through, I just read the story and didn't do any of the non fiction asides about bugs but I did care enough to go back and read the asides the second time and I'm not mad that I did!). Dung beetles are still disgusting, albeit necessary.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sculpted and mixed-media illustrations are really cool. Features simple rhyming text with short asides for each bug comparing them to a human vocation. On the surface, it is fine, but it seems a little over-simplistic to me, like implying that honey and beeswax is made just for consumption by humans and other animals, and that firefly lights are just for warning (and not also a mating call). The fun buggy facts page at the end seems a little scattered, like a collection of facts the author didn't have time to incorporate in the text, not an expansion of the text. All in all, serviceable, but not my favorite.

[Andria Rosenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with fun facts, this is the story of sisters studying bugs in their backyard. From butterflies to silkworms, Eldridge's powerful images give close-up views of communities of insects as they interact with each other. Bailey's rhymes rollick and roll readers in the world of beetles, ladybugs, spiders and more. Every sidebar adds information kids are sure to find fascinating. Both the author's and illustrator's notes will keep kids exploring long after they've finished reading.
Highly recommended for little etymologists.

[Deborah]

Kids are either "cool!" or "yuck!" about bugs. In this book, text flies from page to page to simply explain (with helpful sidebars) how different bugs "build a community." With extra facts in the backmatter and a note from the illustrator explaining how she created her art from clay and, appropriately, "everyday objects, art supplies, and things you might find in your backyard."

Encouraging kids to get out and observe and then go home and get creative, there's not a bit of yuck here. This book is all COOL.

[Lori Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous picture book will grab the attention of young bug lovers! The clay artwork, combined with real elements from nature (leaves, sticks, dirt), plus snappy rhyming text makes for a winning combination. Read this book and then head outdoors in search of the real thing! Back matter includes fun bug facts and an interesting note from the illustrator which delves into her process for creating the art and encourages kids to make some of their own.

[Taryn Singer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay to me. It rhymed, which made it more fun to read, but I was not a huge fan of the literature or illustrations. The illustrations were creepy to me, but in all honesty, I'm sure it's difficult to make bugs look cute. The wording was not always easy to read. I don't really think I would have this particular book in my classroom.

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book about two young sisters observing bugs! The rhyming text is great and Lauren’s art is amazing! I can’t wait to get a copy for our library.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artist's Note

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really unique art style and good bug facts.

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about two young sisters head into nature to discover all bugs they can when ready with their magnifying glass, camera, & scrapbook.

[Stacy Atherton Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book with wonderful illustrations (and I love the artist's note at the end, describing how she created her illustrations).

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sky is a startling blue. The sun is blinding-bright against the snow. The temperature is in the low forties with a wind chill ten degrees higher than most of our temperatures the past several months. When stepping outside a change is felt. It is the whisper of spring.

With spring, the smallest beings come awake. They creep, crawl, hop, climb, and fly. Sometimes, they find their way into our homes. Sometimes, they interrupt our enjoyment outside. And sometimes, they munch on our annuals, perennials, and vegetables. Regardless, we are aware of their incredible abilities and value to our ecosystems. Hustle Bustle Bugs (Little, Brown And Company, February 22, 2022) written by Catherine Bailey with pictures by Lauren Eldridge is an exploration and tribute to these creatures who share our world.

My full recommendation https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...