Friday, March 8, 2013

Bug Patrol - Perfect Picture Book Friday



Last month I won a picture book on Kathy Temean’s “Writingand Illustrating” blog. After what I had read about Denise Dowling Mortensen’s Bug Patrol, I expected a totally silly read. But Bug Patrol is a chameleon of a story. The silly premise and adorably whimsical illustrations are the foil for a story about police work and proper behavior.



Title: Bug Patrol






Illustrator: Cece Bell



Publisher: Clarion, 2013



Audience: 4-8



Themes: Time telling, Police work, Manners



Opening: “ 9 A.M.

            Behind the wheel,

            Riding in

            My Bug Mobile.



            Coffee, cruller,

            Cruise control.

            I’m Captain Bob,

            Bug Patrol.



Synopsis: Told in playful verse, Bug Patrol follows Captain Bob through a day of police work in the insect world with tongue-in-cheek references to donut-eating police officers and roach motels. Instead of one over-arching conflict, the book uses a series of vignettes to power the story. Insect crimes include rude conduct, fender benders, speeding and noise violations. Busy Captain Bob saves lost fleas and finds safe housing for roaches, too!

Activities/Resources:To get a taste of this book watch the book trailer.  

Cynthia Leitich Smith interviewed the author on the subject of mining childhood memories in her work. Write a list of your daily activities, check the times with Captain Bob's schedule in the book. Schedule a visit to your local police station or an insectarium. Discuss the importance of following rules. Practice what to do if you get lost.

This book is a great read aloud!



This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.



19 comments:

  1. Now that's looking at the life of policemen with different eyes...clever! Thanks for sharing this, Wendy.

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  2. Oh my, I think the kids will love this. Love the cover. Thanks for the review. And - I'm glad you entered my book giveaway. Good luck!

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    1. Thanks, Janet. When Captain Bob gets out of his car he has this hilarious bulgy green larval looking shape. The illustrator did a fantastic job.

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  3. What a hoot! This definitely is a clever approach to a book. Loved the video trailer. Kids will love this book Wendy! See that it's hot off the press. Will check it out for my friend's son. Oh, so cute.

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  4. Yup, in this book, bugs are people too--well not really, but you get the idea.

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  5. Great choice! This book looks like fun. Once I ate a bug. It was delicious! Mom said, "Oh no you didn't." But oh yes I did! Mmmm...

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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  6. Unusual and very clever. Will certainly delight many kids. Great choice, Wendy!

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  7. Oops, forgot to mention, after arriving home from our trip I checked in to my office to pick up my mail and your book had arrived. Thank you so much. I love it.

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    1. Glad to hear it! Now you have to decide...read or write in those spare minutes. Tough choice!

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  8. Love the very short sentences in the stanzas - punchy. Creative way to look at police and politeness!

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    1. A great read aloud and short enough for bedtime!

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  9. I know a couple of small boys who would love this book. (One of the fathers is a police officer!) And I would like the message :)

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    1. Pass the word along, Sandi! Thanks for the comment.

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  10. I still have this on hold at the library - can't wait.

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  11. Looks fun and entertaining on many levels.

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  12. It's so hard to keep up with all the newest books. Thanks for the valuable review.

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