Bug Catchers

by Megan Litwin, Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn (Illustrator)

Meet Dirt and Bugsy--best buds who catch all kinds of bugs--in this fun early reader!

Dirt and Bugsy are neighbors, best friends, and bug catchers. They love bugs: Bugs that crawl. Bugs that fly. Bugs that slide. Bugs that hide. But when it begins to rain one day, their brains buzz with a plan: They will build a bug barn to keep the bugs dry! Together, they gather supplies and make a structure to shelter the insects from the storm.






 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Stem, Nature

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Jyoti Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt and Bugsy love the outdoors. And they love to find bugs! But when it starts to rain, Dirt and Bugsy worry about their bugs getting wet. Luckily, they come up with the perfect solution - one that lets them study the little critters to their hearts content while keeping their subjects dry. And of course, when the rain is over, so is their time for bug study. It’s time for the bugs to go home. Written by teacher Meg Litwin and adorably illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn , this book is perfect for beginning readers. Back matter provides a handy-dandy guide to responsible bug-catching!

[Nicole Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book that promotes fun, yet responsible outdoor exploration and simple, repetitive words for early readers. My daughter is always fascinated by bugs when we go for trail walks, so she identifies with this little duo so much. The inclusion of “how to be a good bug catcher” is a fabulous extra treat also. Highly recommend!

[Ellie Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright and interesting bugs, two fun friends, and a plan to make a bug barn! This is a great early reader with just the right amount of repetition; short, but interesting sentences; and engaging pictures. Plenty of sight words and visual cues make this a great level two read.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy-reader for kids who like catching bugs.

[Lisa Tolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt and Bugsy are the cutest bug-catching duo. This book is perfect for emerging readers -- with instructions on bug-catching for the curious!

[Kelly Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

DIRT and BUGSY are a bug catching duo that make bug exploration and investigation an adventure. Together they find bugs that crawl, fly, slide, and hide and they love them all - and your early reader will love this book!

Young readers will appreciate the decodable and repeated words as they flex their reading skills, and then they will likely be racing outside to catch a few bug friends and build their own bug barn! With dirt on their knees and a band aid or two, DIRT & BUGSY are the perfect backyard friends and reading companions. They even offer tips on to how to be a good bug catcher. Catch ahold of a copy of DIRT & BUGSY and become a good bug catcher and a great early reader!

This book will be a great jumping off point for a bug lesson in schools or a library story time.

[Eija · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a bookseller and library land person, I’ve had so many requests for books about young boys who are more quiet or interested in exploring and caretaking— books maybe a little bit more gentle than monster fighting and fart jokes. Nothing wrong with monster fighting and fart jokes, just it’s nice to mix things up! Offer a different kind of story….

And I love that Bug Catchers does this, shows two boys outside exploring, working together to catch bugs and learn. An excellent early reader and gentle outdoor adventure that celebrates curiosity and the natural world.

I appreciate the inclusion of a bug catching guide to give kids some tips and guidance about being their own bug catchers.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt and Bugsy are appealing co-stars of this series and offer connection to readers of many identities and backgrounds although both are boys and no girls appear throughout. (This is a level 2 book in challenge assessment and I'd appreciate having girl characters participate in some way at this stage of reading,mespscailly when it comes to exploiting outdoors and bugs in particular.)
The contents and design of materials provide both kid-friendly approaches to being a young scientist/nature-lover and also demonstrates collaboration and investigation processes. Highly recommend this series, and kids enjoy it!

[Kirsten Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt and Bugsy love bugs! They love "bugs that crawl. Bugs that fly. Bugs that slide. Bugs that hide." They are in the middle of catching bugs when it starts to rain and they get the great idea to build a shelter for them! Each bug gets its own room and food to munch on while they all play some games. Once the storm is over, the bugs crawl, fly, and slide away. This book reads really well, the illustrations are fun and help give context clues to the text, and the text is repetitive for early readers. Kids who are afraid of bugs and kids who love bugs will benefit from reading about Dirt and Bugsy. This is an amazing early reader and I will be recommending it to my patrons.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt and Bugsy are best friends and expert bug catchers who spend their days spying, digging, and sifting for bugs. But when rain dampens their bug plans, they have a brilliant and creative idea – one which may inspire bug lovers everywhere!

This book is crawling with fun and heart! From the flow of the repetitive, easily decodable words, to the lovable characters and vibrant illustrations, to the giggle worthy bug names. I can’t wait to go along with Dirt and Bugsy on their next adventure in June!

[Dianne White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt and Bugsy are two boys who love nothing better than time outdoors, Dirt with his shovel, Bugsy with his jars. Together, the boys dig and sift through dirt, lift rocks and look for bugs. When it starts to rain, the bug boys' brains buzz. How can they keep the bugs from getting wet?

This Level 2 reader, written by educator Megan Litwin, uses just the right mix of short sentences, repetition, (internal) rhyme, decodable words, picture clues, and sight words to provide bug-loving, emerging readers with an engaging story they'll want to return to over and over.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's early reader, contemporary realistic fiction. Dirt and Bugsy are friends and also bug catchers. They like all sorts of bugs and worry about their little friends when it starts to rain. They gather all sorts of materials and jars to protect the bugs until the storm passes. This book is so cute, normalizing bugs instead of presenting them as gross. There's no discussion of their roles either, just bugs being cool. Fun colorful illustrations make a great backdrop to the text. Includes tips on how to be a good bug catcher.

[Brittany Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

With simple and recognizable words, bright illustrations, and one fantastic story. kids will fall in love with Dirt and Busgy, Bug Catchers. I appreciate the friendship and camaraderie between Dirt and Busgy, characteristics kids will undoubtedly relate to. Dirt and Bugsy display the aspects of care when they figure out how to catch bugs and keep them safe, too. Bug Catchers is a brilliant story learning and growing readers will fall in love with.

Recommend for the classroom, public library, and at home.

[Great Books]

New and progressing readers get to know bug catchers Dirt and Bugsy in this fun first reader. The story follows the friends on their outdoor bug catching adventures. The friendly bugs eventually need some shelter from the rain and Dirt and Bugsy build them a Bug Barn! This sweet story helps new readers progress and encourages outdoor play. A "How to be a Good Bug Catcher" guide is included as well!

Reviewer #23

[Megan Lacera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute easy reader/new series for kids! Dirt and Bugsy are great friends and terrific bug catchers--the two boys capture the joy of exploring the world and discovering all the wonderful creatures within it. The illustrations are colorful and fun and invite kids to keep turning pages. The breezy text and rhyming stanzas will help readers build confidence in their progressing literacy skills. Great for the classroom and libraries!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun read for kids becoming independent readers. A bug theme that will appeal to all kids, the text has a lovely rhythm and the art is so inviting. An invitation to explore your backyard, get dirty, have fun and also let bugs be bugs. Wonderful addition for early elementary classrooms and home libraries!

[Laura Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lot of fun and is perfect for beginning readers. It also encourages imaginative play and scientific exploration for the smallest adventurers. My kindergartener enjoyed Dirt and Bugsy's adventures and was inspired to build her own lady bug sanctuary in our house. Highly recommend!

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this early reader series for young bug enthusiasts and readers who are curious about creepy-crawly creatures! Just ordered the second installment in the series — BEETLE MANIA — and can’t wait to see what Dirt and Bugsy are up to next…

[Themountainbookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we all have new best friends after reading this book. The two friends problem solve and create an awesome bug barn. If you have a bug lover in your life this is a fun book for them. The illustrations were accurate and beautiful. The book has a good flow while reading it as well.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent Early Reader about two boys who are kind, curious, and creative...and they love bugs! Celebrating science and nature and friendship, beginning readers will really love this duo and their explorations. Can't wait to see more of Dirt & Bugsy!

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful early reader book at the Progressing Reader Level 2. It’s good to see kids digging in the dirt and having fun outside (even when it’s raining)! The series celebrates friendship, nature, outdoor play and exploration.

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about Dirt & Bugsy are friends & bug catchers as they catch all kinds of bugs as they come up with plan to keep bugs from getting wet when it rains one day that they will build bug barn.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

two boys named dirt and bugsy go out and they catch bugs. This is not really my cup of tea because I think bugs are disgusting, and you really get up close and personal with them in this series. But kids who really like bugs would probably love it.

[Bekah Hubstenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an early reader Level 2 this book hit all the right points. Engaging storyline, appropriate word, line limit, and sentence structure and colorful illustrations.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable, and fosters a love of the outdoors too! Great for little ones that aren't yet reading too; beautiful illustrations, fun storyline. Highly recommend!

[Kelly]

A cute reader about catching bugs. It's more of an adventure than informational, but I think kids will identify with these characters.

[Elizabeth Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for young readers. Enchanting! Well-written and entertaining. Highly recommend.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, not for me. I have questions about the validity of the science these kids are doing.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn't give my 7 year old daughter any trouble.

[Wren Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

depicts exploring and playing with bugs in an accessible and engaging way. fun and bright images. nothing scary or intense about the Bug drawings.