In a Patch of Grass

by Fran Hodgkins, Fran Hodgkins

David Antenborough narrates this picture-book send-up of a nature documentary, sounding just like the real-life David but with more gesticulations, since he has six limbs at his disposal. Director Stephen Spielbug tries to keep the cast of characters on task, but it’s worse than herding cats: The orb-weaving spider would like to eat one or two other actors; the grasshopper is a diva; the worm is too busy munching dirt to emerge from the ground on cue; the robin has joined a union and declines to show up for the predation scene; and the slug is too embarrassed by his slime to perform. As David and Stephen near the wrap-up, filming is interrupted by a whuffling noise and then a foul-smelling hurricane, and Fido the dog sniffs his way through the grass and onto their set. The panicked actors flee at top speed (which is not very fast in the slug’s case), but the intrepid Antenborough continues narrating, Spielbug keeps directing, and they bring the film to a dramatic conclusion. Despite the chaos—or maybe because of it—we learn some things about these animals, and backmatter nature facts give us more.

Genres: Humor, Nature, Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 14, 2023

About the author

Fran Hodgkins always loved nature and science, and loved writing as well, so it seemed only logical that she would grow up to write about science and nature for children. Her first book, The Orphan Seal, received the Henry Bergh Children's Book Award from the ASPCA. Her book How People Learned to Fly is an exemplar in the Common Core ELA standards.

Fran has written more than 20 books for young readers. Her most recent, The Secret Galaxy, came out in October 2014 from Tilbury House Publishers.

Fran lives in Midcoast Maine.

Reviews

[Karen Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is super cute and educational to boot. Learn about the insect world as you go behind the scenes of a nature documentary. Adorable, funny , beautiful bright illustrations this story has it all. You’ll love getting to know this cast of characters and will be hoping to see more of them come story end.

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟

I'm cracking up dying from laughter over here. This book was just so perfect and such a fun read for my kids and myself.

It is just so clever, David Attenborough and Steven Spielberg are bugs trying to capture the day in the life other insects. From an orb weaver spider that's frustrated that they scared away their breakfast to a grasshopper who wants to be music star. Nothing really works out how they hoped. My favorite one is the slug that finally realizes he makes a mess wherever he goes leaving a slime trail. Feels incredibly embarrassed and is mopping it up lol.

The illustrations on the front of this book immediately caught my attention. They were comical and bright in colors, The insects are all a bit derpy looking in a fun silly way, The story is good but the illustrations make it. I look forward to buying a physical copy to add to our collection of stories.

Perfect for kids age 3/4 or older.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tilbury House Publishers for this an advance reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting to major retailers and my instagram the.littlest.bookworm on or before publication date.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers won't want to miss the presentation credits on the cover, the clever names of the characters, and the blurbs on the back cover. Accompanied by the knowledgeable, khaki-wearing David ANTenborough, director Stephen SpielBUG [my caps for emphasis!] is busy filming a nature documentary on the creatures that live in a patch of grass. But he finds it quite challenging to keep his animal characters in line. If it isn't the orb-weaving spider ready to pounce on its dinner, it's the slug that cleans up its trail of slime, the grasshopper eager to seize center stage, the earthworm busily chewing on soil and freaking out over the mention of a threat, all of these plague the poor director. He has to wrap up filming upon the arrival of a curious dog. Adults sharing this title as a read aloud will be quite entertained even if some of the references may fly over the heads of their young listeners. The illustrations, created with watercolor, ink, and digital techniques, resemble the artwork found in many comic books and add to the pleasure of reading this and snickering through every page. The various visual perspectives, including a close-up of Fido's snout, and the facial expressions of the animal characters provide interesting scenes to observe. This is a clever way to slip in some facts about the various species encountered in the book while entertaining young readers. Some elementary science teachers might want to consider adding this title to their collection, for its originality and also the glimpses into the behavior and personalities of various species.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tongue-in-cheek picture book relies on the reader knowing who Steven Spielberg and David Attenborough are to be funny.

Set up as if filming a documentary of life in a patch of grass, Director Steven SpielBUG yells "Action!" Narrator David ANTenborough starts to introduce many different critters who live in the yard and the drama they experience daily. Many things don't go the way Steven plans, however they keep rolling until a wuffling wind breaks up filming and the perspective zooms out so viewers see a dog has invaded the place the little buggers have been filming. Backmatter includes 2 pages of notes about the cast and crew.

(Reviewer's note: No animals were hurt in the filming of this documentary!)

In Hodgkins' imagining, everything that can go sideway for SpielBUG happens. The comments made by the "actors" is what drives the humor. There are a lot of one-liners strung together here. The level of humor is a bit beyond the preschool crowd, unless explained during/after the first reading.

Dan Tavis' (Noodle and the No Bones Day) lively artwork help support the story and infuse humor, as well. Bright and colorful, the cartoony cast and presentation add "Action!" and life into this hybrid graphic-picture book. He hits all the right notes. Note some illustrations are shown in frames with all character dialog in word bubbles.

Fun to read on a summer day as you watch the buggers in the garden...

Optional for grades PreK-2.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Patch of Grass

by Fran Hodgkins

Illustrated by Dan Tavis

directed by Steven Spielbug

starring David Antenborough

Tilbury House Publishers

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9780884484639



In a Patch of Grass is a clever "bugumentary" directed by Steven Spielbug and starring David Antborough. The two bug stars direct and narrate the makings of a small ecosystem populated by grasshoppers, ants, worms, spiders and other insects and creatures.

Steven Spielbug directs the action of each bug actor and David Antenborough hosts the film shoot until a nosy, friendly dog interrupts and breaks up the set, sending bugs scurrying hither and yon.

The bug actors are featured on the front cover giving readers a hint what they'll discover inside. The endpapers are lively and buggy, The cast and crew are explained in detail in order of appearance. The quotes from various "publications" on the back cover are from the International Film Crickets Society, The Daily Mantis, The Hollywood Rolypoly and The New York Treehopper.

Comic relief, silly puns, Hollywood movie making, cartoon speech bubbles and captivating illustrations make this whimsical picture book a must have. For insect lovers everywhere ages 2 and up.

Highly, highly recommended.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome Steven Spielbug and David Antenborough to the narration of this silly book that reads like the filming of a nature documentary In a Patch of Grass. So clever. This satirical style is comical for adults and the action of the story is one kids find funny and enjoyable. Will they ever get their documentary filmed? So much happening with all the bugs in a little space of earth. The illustrative style reminds me of Diary of a Worm or Diary of a Spider and is fun and spunky.

Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

While a lot of fun for adults, and interesting enough for kids, I'm not sure most children will really appreciate what the author is doing in the copying of a David Attenborough documentary, as most children probably haven't seen too many of those :)

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun picture book that uses a comic-book style and humor to teach young children about common bugs in their backyard. I appreciate the style, as it will definitely keep kids turning the pages. The nonfiction information is sprinkled meaningfully throughout the antics taking place in the narrative. Children will learn about beetles, ladybugs, ants, or-weaver spiders, houseflies, slugs, grasshoppers, cicadas, earthworms, and bedbugs. The narrative is presented in a documentary style, hosted by David ANTenborough and directed by Steven SpielBUG. It's a fun way to engage nature-enthusiast children in an interesting topic.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Pulisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute picture book about bugs conducting a "documentary" of their backyard, in their own "patch of grass". Lovely and fun illustrations, funny dialogue and a great glossary at the end talking about all the bugs you encounter in the book. Overall, a fun little read that will entertain littles and teach them about what one can find in one's backyard.

Thank you to NetGalley, Fran Hodgkins, Dan Tavis - Illustrator, and Tilbury House Publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, colorful illustrations. The nod to David Attenborough is lost on children. The children found it to be a fun story, but the documentary film-making commentary was a little confusing.
Ultimately, I would check this book out from the library, but I would not purchase it.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's a director to do when some of his "actors" turn out to be big hams, or don't show up at all?

Tune in for all the action, drama, and a whole lotta fun when Steven Spielbug films a nature documentary.

You may even learn something.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tilbury House Publishers

[April Oharah Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about famous bugs creating documentaries in your backyard. Imaginative with learning thrown in. Cute illustrations.

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a creative idea

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clever, fun introduction to the insect world by going behind the scenes of a nature documentary.

[Polly Callahan]

recommended on listserv

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute pictures
Different perspective

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amusing story about a group of insects creating a little movie in a patch of grass. There is a bedbug, a beetle, a ladybug, a garden slug, a grasshopper, a spider, a housefly, an ant, a cicada, and an earthworm. When Fido the dog comes snuffling around they try to keep on rolling the camera. This is quite a funny little story. Great illustrations.