Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, by David Somar and Jacky Davis
Ladybug Girl rides again! In her second adventure, Lulu hits the playground and tries to find something to play with her friend Sam. When they find no common ground, she introduces him to Ladybug Girl, and the two of them save the town from giant snakes (the twisty slide), mean robots (the tire swing), and more. Their obviously good time draws in two more girls, who join the newly-founded Bug Squad, and by the time they have to head home, they are planning the next day’s play.
Lulu retains her sassy, spunky edge and her love of imaginative play, all the things I adored in the first book, while she also figures out how to cooperate with her friend so that they can play together. They negotiate what game they can both enjoy, and help their new friends find characters for themselves, stressing working together so that they can all have fun without ever leaning on the point too hard. (Another big thing for me – I hate overly obvious lessons!)
These books are terrific, and on top of the way they play, I also love seeing a boy and girl playing together as friends –meaning you could more easily read it to a brother and sister without one complaining about it being a “girl book” or “for boys.” After reading this great followup, you may just find yourself out hunting for ladybug and bumblebee wings, like I just did… Anyone know where to find a red tutu?
A career Children’s Librarian, the Book Fairy (a.k.a. kittenpie) has worked in library systems in both New York and Toronto, and delights in sharing favourite books with kids of all ages. Since she can’t help but force books on people, she’s thrilled to have another place to do it without creeping people out the way she does at the bookstore.
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