Susie’s Book Nook - January ‘25 Children’s Book Review: “The Bug Girl”
Here’s a fun story about a young girl who had a fascination for bugs. In her early years at school, she was made fun of because of her interest in bugs. So much so, that she decided to give up her interest in bugs for a while, but that didn’t really make her happy. Thankfully, her mother had an idea to reach out via email to entomologists asking one to be Sophia’s “bug pal.” And guess what happened, many responded. Morgan Jackson, a bug scientist, the first to reply turned Sophia’s world all around.
This story is a great example of how easily a child’s interests and self-esteem can be altered by how other children view them and treat them. Sophia’s story is similar to Chrysanthemum’s story and illustrates a type of bullying that, without the right intervention, can have ramifications for a lifetime. In Sophia’s case, we see how things can be changed. As a fourth grader, she published her story in this delightful picture book.
Besides a great story with clever illustrations, Sophia includes a ‘More Bug Facts’ section at the end of her story. You and your young readers can learn about Sophia’s favorite bugs, super cool bug facts, and how to study bugs if you would like to do that. Can you imagine the biggest bug was a 22-inch-long giant stick insect? Do you have any idea which bugs are the “most social?” Did you know that there is a Brazilian bug that has a cluster of decorative ornaments on top of its head and no one knows why?
Not being a bug lover myself, personally, I did find this book fascinating and certainly know it would have intrigued some of the children I’ve known over many years. Maybe had I been introduced to this story with an enthusiastic bug lover, I might have developed a different opinion of bugs….well, maybe not all bugs. I do encourage you to take a look at “The Bug Girl” from your local library and share it with friends.