Bugs in the Garden

PreS-K—In this sequel to Bugs in a Blanket (Phaidon, 2009), Alemagna sends the group of bugs beyond the safety of their blanket to explore the garden. Confronted with other bugs of various sizes and shapes, the six featured creatures find themselves unable to make friends because they fear those who are different. However, in the end they learn that in order to make new friends one must be brave enough to get to know them. While the lesson might be a bit too heavy-handed, the sweetness of the characters and their childlike trepidation will appeal to children with a preference for gentle reads. The real gems here, though, are the felted wool illustrations, with the bugs coming to life through thread and buttons. The illustrations look as though readers should be able to run their hands over them to feel each little creature.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA