Out in the Wild!

Bug Scouts #1

by Mike Lowery

From New York Times bestselling illustrator Mike Lowery comes a wild and hilarious Graphix Chapters series featuring the amazing Bug Scouts!

"Raise your leg or antenna, and make the BUG SCOUT

"I promise to fly, I promise to crawl

Or make a cool web, or roll into a ball.

I pledge to be brave and adventurous too.

And do all of the things that bugs like to do!"

Meet Doug, Abby, and the BUG SCOUTS! Doug and Abby love everything about being Bug their super-duper top-secret headquarters, earning bug badges, wearing scout gear, and, of course, snacks. Josh, meanwhile, is a grump and doesn’t like anything (except the snacks). The Bug Scouts begin to work on earning the "foraging" bug badge, which they can only get if they successfully find an edible plant. Together, they head into the woods in search for adventure and something to eat. But will they be able to avoid the poisonous plants and manage to not get eaten by a clever frog?!

With laugh-out-loud humor, puns galore, kid-friendly artwork, and endless heart, Bug Scouts is the perfect early graphic novel series for enthusiasts of Dog Man, Narwhal and Jelly, and CatStronauts. So get on your hiking boots, put on your binoculars, and head into wacky adventures with THE BUG SCOUTS.

Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers. With approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension, these engaging stories with unforgettable characters help children become lifelong readers.

Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Chapter Books, Comics

64 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2022

About the author

Mike Lowery is an illustrator whose work appears in everything from greeting cards to children’s books—and Workman’s Kid’s Awesome Activity Calendar. In Doodle Adventures™ – the first series Mike has written and illustrated – he invites readers to doodle along with him and Carl the Duck. Mike shares more of his work at mikelowery.com and @mikelowerystudio on Instagram.

He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Harrison Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny at chapter 4

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this emergent reader graphic novel about a band of insect friends who are part of a badge collecting scouting group - celebrates identity and inclusion

I received an advanced reader's copy of this from the publisher

[Skye Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable!
I never thought I would read a book that has little bugs who are little bugs scouts, and collect little bug scout badges!!
Now I have to start book two!!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. A bunch of bug friends who are scouts too. Going on an adventure to seek out new plants when they see a FROG. This would be great to introduce younger children to graphic novels!

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an oh so adorable and hilarious entry into a new early reader graphic novel series. There is lots of love with the bright, cute illustrations, the enthusiastic scouts, and the grumpy spider Josh who would much rather stay inside and not get roped into these outdoor adventures. Great for new independent readers looking for chapter books and comics. I can't wait for more from the bug scouts!

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funny and educational. The spider Josh is my favorite.

Thank you Scholastic for the ARC

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four bug friends have a super top secret headquarters and form the Bug Scouts, taking an oath that, "all bugs are awesome" and pledging to be brave and seek adventures. The bugs are Doug ( a bug), Abby the worm, Josh a grumpy spider who's there for the snacks and Luna the firefly. They even have patches for 238 different things. Abby wants all the patches.

The Bug Scouts go on a hike to "forage." A frog lurks nearby and everyone knows frogs eat BUGS! They come face to face with a sly frog who really wants to eat them so they RUN back to headquarters where they realize they did earn a badge for plants after all.

So cute! Readers will love Bug Scouts. Mike Lowery is my favorite author/illustrator in kidlit. You must read his Everything Awesome series which is non-fiction but incredible FUN!

Highly, highly recommended and likely to win graphic book of the year. You heard it here first.

Grades 2-5 but this adult reviewer LOVED it!

[Bonnie Lambourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny easy to read early graphic novel with 5 short chapters. The bug characters each has a distinctive character - told directly in introductions. Introduction to scouting, getting badges adapted to bugs in some ways but in others just like kids experience. The simplistic characters who do not really change through the story, much like those standards in Sesame Street there is a grouchy one, a nerdy one, etc. There is some info on foraging and safety which I appreciate - though there are plays on some words, and it's not entirely clear if all the plant names in the book are real. But this could be a place to begin some family research into foraging for people.

Overall I'm sure many kids will enjoy reading this book on their own, identifying and laughing at the antics of these bugs.

[Annabelle Kocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because one of my favorite serieses a few years ago was the Doodle Adventures. I would read and draw and erase and draw and erase and draw and erase and then do it all over again. I liked it because it was interactive. It made you feel like an important part of the story, sort of like Choose your own Adventure. But instead of flipping to a certain page, you drew a certain picture—and the possibilities were endless, instead of being just two or three. (No offense to Choose Your Own Adventure. I understand how much work would go into writing soooo many endings in just one little thin book. ) Anyway this book had none of that. It was not interactive at all. It doesn’t even direct any sentences to you at all. I like that about most of this author’s work. Anyway not very recommended. Very cute though. Great for really little kids.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Welcome to Bug Scouts!

Premise/plot: A group of friends--bug friends--have fun in the scouts--bug scouts--in this graphic novel for very young readers. Doug, Abby, Josh, Luna, etc. are some of the bug friends young readers will "meet" in the text. They are at a meeting and on a quest to get a new badge. But getting badges isn't always as straightforward as it seems. Sometimes unexpected things hop up--literally.

My thoughts: I liked this one okay. My favorite character was Josh a grumpy spider who does not want to actually be a bug scout. One of his badges is for EATING CHEESE. (His other badges are for being a great sitter and having the best frown.) I could relate to Josh--or at least I could have as a kid (and that is what matters).

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed from an ARC from the publisher.

The first in the "Bug Scouts" graphic novel series for beginning readers, Doug is a bug (of some sort). He and his friend Abby (a worm) encourage other friends Josh (a spider) and Luna (a lightning bug) to join them as Bug Scouts. Together (in 4 short chapters), they take the Bug Scout Oath, work on bug badges, go on a scavenger hunt/forage the woods, and avoid the frog.

Full color digital illustrations are very basic, mostly flat in appearance. They show just the right balance of action with the word bubbles moving the story forward. His color palette leans toward darker saturated color with a grayish cast. They have great kid-appeal and much humor.

Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the [Very silly, Very funny] Bug Scouts. It’s a very inclusive organization of small critters. Only one Doug, introduced as a “bug of some kind” is acutely a member of the order hemiptera, they’re not even all insects, one is a spider, and another is an earthworm. But never mind, this isn’t a STEM text, it’s a funny comic designed to make kids laugh, chuckle, and indoctrinate them into the realm of chapter books.

When the scouts go out of their super-secret clubhouse into the wild to go foraging for edible plants to earn bug badges they must be aware of the dangers out in the field: poisonous plants and FROGS! Comically harrowing adventurous encounters ensue.

[Annaleise Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This full-colour early reader graphic novel is divided into five chapters and features four friends (a generic bug, a worm, a spider and a lightning bug) who are scouts on a mission to earn various "bug badges". Each character has various likes and dislikes, which are listed around a large drawing of the character (alongside their scientific name!) as they are introduced. In this book they are aiming to earn their "Practical Plants" badge... though things get a bit off track when they encounter a frog. My 6yo has read this book repeatedly since we borrowed it out and says I must give it five stars!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet the Bug Scouts! Doug is a bug. Abby is a worm. Josh is a grumpy spider. Luna is the newest Scout and a firefly. They go on a hike to earn a new Bug Badge. They learn about plants and very dangerous (for bugs) frogs. This may sound odd, but I liked that the frog really did want to eat the bugs. Several books that I have read recently cast predators in a role of friend rather than foe. Which is fine - but it's also nice to see a frog doing what a frog would do -- "jumping" at the chance to eat a bug! I was also happy that Josh saved the day.

[Helen Farch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come and join the bug scouts, Doug, Abby and Josh, as they go on adventures and work towards earning their official bug scout badges.

First we need to recite the official bug scout oath, and then we can join the gang and new bug scout recruit, Luna, as they forage for plants to earn the Practical Plants badge.

Personally, I think the Cheese Eating badge sounds like fun.

And if you don't feel up to an adventure, then be like Bug Scout Josh, and just come along for the snacks.

Thanks to Scholastic Australia for the review copy of this book

[Melissa Lobegeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book I bought for my son. He's currently in second grade and prefers science-based graphic novels, like the science comics series. I've been trying to get him to read more fiction and as he's really into bugs right now this seemed right up his alley. It is a good book for emerging readers as the language is fairly simple, but it's a cute book with a fun story. Highly recommended for 6-7 year olds, but it was a little too short and simple for my 8 year old. We will be buying book number 2 and some of the author's other books. My son really liked his book about sharks.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a book that will appeal to a reader who prefers shorter books but wants to be seen reading chapter books?

Bug Scouts by Mike Lowery is a graphic novel chapter book. With five short chapters, readers will feel that they are reading a chapter book but not daunted by 200 pages!

It's delightfully funny. My favorite character is Josh the spider.

I'm looking forward to checking out more of Mike Lowery's books!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

To earn their Foraging badge for Bug Scouts, Doug, Abby, Josh, and new Luna go out searching for different types of plants. Their hunt is derailed when a predator starts searching for them. A lot of jokes, and Doug's disinterest in the task ends up saving them in the end. Similar reading level of Narwhal & Jelly. For fans of Dog Man, Catwad, Scaredy Squirrel, Pea, Bee, and Jay, Bird & Squirrel, and Bad Guys. While I don't like bugs at all, this is a fun read!

[Juan Camilo Velandia Quijano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to do some research for a graphic novel project, so I ended up reading this book. The story is simple, cute and easy to understand. It could've worked better with less explanations, but I understand who's the audience for this book. The graphic part is quite basic as well, nothing exciting for me. It would be perfect for a child under 5, it's a fun story that could've used a little bit more, but hey, it works!

[. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book to my soon-to-be 6yo niece today and she was giggling from page one! She has already read it several times and made sure myself and her parents have all heard her favorite parts many times over. Definitely planning to get the sequel for her!

Great for young readers, very readable with a handful of more challenging or out of the ordinary words, which make for good practice. The fun characters and cute illustrations keep kids engaged and excited to keep reading.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four buggy friends join Bug Scouts, where they earn badges, learn new things, and have fun.

Lots of wordplay (frog prints/frog prince) and silly fun, but they all actually work together and accept each others' strengths and weaknesses.

From Scholastic Graphix, so it's a reader size/style, but a little longer than most readers. Definitely recommend.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modeled on Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, the Bug Scouts do things outdoors in order to meet the requirements of badges. In addition, the Bug Scouts learn things about other bugs and plants, as do readers. This is presented in a basic graphic format which means plenty of pictures to keep readers interested and also to illustrate bugs and plants. A fun romp in the woods.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple enough for kids still in the early reader stages, yet silly enough to make even slightly older kids lol too. The bug scouts (a bug, a worm, a spider and a lightning bug) go on a hike to earn a badge. But they encounter a tricky frog who wants to eat them. Funnily enough, the spider is never considered a threat, and in fact, his web inadvertently saves the day.

[Yelena Papp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adore this book! From the illustrations to the layout, I think this book would be perfect for those young readers struggling to find interest in books. This is great for those who need visuals to understand what they are reading, & am so glad this is an option for kids now! Added bonus that the bug scouts are absolutely adorable.

[Ally Salmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, simple, yet funny graphic novel for young readers. The idea of the Bug Scouts is not one that I have read about in graphic novels, so I loved that! The characters are definitely ones that children will enjoy!

[Sarah LeGear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute. My kindergartener loved reading it aloud with me. She struggled with some words, but we both liked the silly jokes. We are looking forward to the next in the series and already put a reminder in the calendar for October. Very creative.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning independent comics readers will get a kick out of this one. It's colorful, full of silly characters, and boasts an illustration and humor style similar to that of NARWHAL & JELLY or BALONEY & FRIENDS.

[Great Books]

Reviewer #17 Bug Scouts: Out in the Wild features a loveable, okay one is pretty grumpy, group of bug friends working to to earn their bug scout badges. This early reader graphic novel will appeal to fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Baloney and Friends.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for the Charlie May Simon Award Committee. This book is recommended for grades 1st-3rd. It is a graphic novel, but a very simple one. I think that it is far too easy for the Charlie May list. It would be a fun read for any little kid that is into graphic novels.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.