Ashley Spires' picture books are fine, but what I've really wanted from her is a return to her hilarious elementary graphic novels, like Binky the Space Cat. And she's back, with a new character, Burt the beetle. Even better, this book has facts in it! I always like a good informational fiction book.
The end pages show a delightful series of portraits of bugs and their super powers. A firefly has a "super bright bum," a bee is a "super hard worker", and there's Burt, "super happy to be here." The book starts by introducing Burt and all the thousands of insects that live in your backyard. Burt is a ten-lined June beetle and as we learn more about him, and other insects, he pops in and out of the picture, admiring the other insects and eagerly awaiting his turn to talk about all the cool things he can do! Except... can he do anything super? Maybe not... but when his friends are all stuck in a spider's web, is there any way Burt can help out?
More super insect facts are included at the back as well as a whole new set of super insect abilities on the end pages. Spires' art here reminds me of Elise Gravel's Disgusting Critters series, although it's definitely her own style, full of humor and cheerful insect faces. Burt is adorable, with his striped shell and feathery antennae and the various remarks made by Burt and his insect friends in speech bubbles add additional humor to the story.
Verdict: This is a great choice for elementary school libraries as well as public libraries building up their beginning chapters and graphic novels sections. With, on average, 50% of children preferring nonfiction it's important to diversify our beginning chapter collections not only by protagonist and subject, but also by genre. Highly recommended.
ISBN: 9781525301469; Published June 2021 by Kids Can Press; Purchased for the library
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