The Grouchy Ladybug

Eric Carle (1977), 40 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

Early one morning, two ladybugs happen to meet on a leaf full of aphids. One is friendly and one is grouchy. Although friendly ladybug suggests sharing, grouchy ladybug will not hear of it! She screams ”No, they’re all mine, all mine, or do you want to fight me for them?” Friendly ladybug concedes saying: “If you insist.” But grouchy decides that is a waste of time; she’s not big enough to fight and goes out to pick on somebody bigger. Grouchy ladybug ventures out all day from 6am to 6pm looking for a suitable opponent … and even after facing a wild range varying in size from a yellow jacket, a stag beetle, a praying mantis, a sparrow, hyena, gorilla, elephant, and finally a whale – the grouchy ladybug rejects all saying “oh, you’re not big enough.” However, the whale is SO large that ladybug flies over to its flipper and fin asking if they want to fight … eliciting no response …she reaches its tail, and with one great SLAP! Grouchy finds herself right back where she started. Now grouchy is wet and hungry. Luckily the friendly ladybug had saved her some aphids for dinner. Tired and grateful grouchy ladybug finally relinquishes her tough bravado and says: “Oh, thank you.” Carle’s illustrations are bright and colorful. Each image is carefully crafted and full of texture and detail giving personality to all of his characters, even teeny-tiny ladybugs. This book isn’t just a lesson in manners ... It’s a lesson in telling time (small clocks show each hour past as the sun rises and sets across each panel) and size comparison (flying along the small ladybug is shown in comparison to other insects and animals). A great book for storytime; pair with Carle’s other stories The Very Lonely Firefly or The Very Clumsy Click Beetle for a trio of reading fun or sing “Five Little Ladybugs.”

Five little ladybugs climbing on the door

One flew away then there were four
Four little ladybugs sitting on a tree
One flew away then there were three
Three Little ladybugs landed on a shoe
One flew away then there were two
Two little ladybugs looking for some fun
One flew away and then there was one
One little ladybug sitting in the sun
She flew away and then there were none

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis or Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

Other books by this author: A House for a Hermit Crab, “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly” Said the Sloth, The Very Lonely Firefly, Opposites, Mister Seahorse, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle and 10 Little Rubber Ducks

Don’t Say that Word

Alan Katz (2007), 40 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Poor Michael had a big day at school but every time he tries to tell his mom what happened … she steps in to say DON’T SAY THAT WORD! Michael’s recollections all start out innocently enough “at recess we all saw a spider an a bird that went chittery-chirp. Doug snorted as he drank his cider, then let out a two-minute ….” But before he can say the best part … his mother intervenes and as the title exclaims, shouts “Don’t say that word!” However, as Michael gets sent on time-out and has his mouth washed out with soap, its finally his turn to shout “Don’t Say that word!” when his mother says “Well, Michael … today was a sea of great dramas. I hope there are calm days ahead. Run along –put on your pajamas, It’s late and you should be in …” This book is brimming with humor – a hilarious read!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Elbert’s Bad Word by Audrey and Don Wood or My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook

Other books by this author: Stalling, Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs