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
Author: Denise Dowling Mortensen
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!
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.
