Fact Bug.

Lewis, J. Patrick.  Fact Bug.  (Poems)    Boyd's Mills/Word Song  2013 36p    $16.95  ISBN 978-1-59078-925-4  elem/ms  E-BN

This is a perfectly gross book that will pull in even the most science- and bug-averse reader.  The title is a play on words with referencing Facebook, as each insect is photographed with its ugliest, scariest face possible.  A poem describes each bug and its lifestyle, while pen-and-ink drawings crawl across the bottom and sides of each two-page spread. The ink drawings encourage readers to go beyond the text to answer questions.  Humor appears in the pen-and-ink drawings as well as the last few pages of the book, where each insect has a biography listing where it lives, its growth cycle, its predators, and what it eats, all written in a chatty humor-filled Facebook style.  Accompanying this biography is a photo of the insect in its natural habitat.  Two pages at the end of the text allow readers to test their knowledge as they are asked to identify the insects depicted in the pen-and-ink drawings.  A first resource to explore the lifestyles and habitats of various common insects that readers will encounter in their own community.  It’s also a perfect match for STEM initiatives.                 

Summary: A perfect combination of yucky photos, facts and drawings of insects that will merrily gross out readers.  The up-close photos of bug faces, a poem about their lifestyle, and  pen-and-ink drawings that add humor will challenge readers to look more closely. Gr 3+.    

Insects, Poetry                                       --Lois McNicol

Lewis, J. Patrick. If You Were A Chocolate Mustache.

Lewis, J. Patrick.  If You Were A Chocolate Mustache.  Boyd's Mills/Word Song  2012 158p  $18.95  978-1-59078-927-8      elm/ms      Misc. VG-BNe    

Poet laureate J. Patrick Lewis’s book of children’s poems includes creative illustrations with each poem.  There are concrete poems, limericks, tongue twisters, riddles and plays on words.  Topics are varied.  With something for all young readers, this book is sure to entertain!  The topics of the selected poems range from school, zoos and roller coasters to animals, food and ghosts.  Illustrator Matthew Cordell aptly designs a visual aid that supports the text of each poem!  Humor abounds, especially in such poems as “Spotted Park Bench”, in which Lewis says, “I am a park bench.  Ordinary words cannot express my thoughts on birds.”  On a two-page spread, the reader sees a flock of birds “doing their thing” on a park bench!  In another, “Tuna-on-a-Roll,” a live tuna is driving down the beach, talking about how, even though his license is invalid, it beats being in someone’s salad!  Universagrams are both thought-provoking and clever, and baseball-o-grams are equally so.  “Limb-ericks” takes limericks to a new level in that they are all about body parts!  If a teacher hopes to interest young readers in poetry, this book is a must-have!  If a teacher hopes to find a new idea for promoting poetry-writing in class, this book will fit the bill!   Last, but not least, the book is one that can be read over and over again, and this makes it worth the price.       

Poetry, Word play                                    --Martha Squaresky