Steven Spielbug and David Antenborough present... In a patch of grass by Fran Hodgkins, illustrated by Dan Tavis

Anthropomorphic insects are usually a good bet, but these creators have put their stories together with an added and very humorous twist that will please adults as well as children.

In a small clearing amidst dew-speckled leaves and grass, Steven Spielbug, a larger-than-life bedbug, yells "3, 2, 1, ACTION!" and the show begins. Narrated by the lanky David Antenborough, an ant naturally, morning dawns and a spider web sparkles. The documentary on insect life begins, but things go wrong almost at once, from missing characters to bugs forgetting to act naturally for the nature documentary. Some creatures didn't get cued in to the whole "real life" thing and weren't expecting danger, let alone to be eaten, and in a dramatic finale a giant dog nose appears, whuffing over the scenery.

Back matter explains the real life of each of the bugs featured, with humorous asides, like the anonymous beetle who portrays the sound-boom operator. The art features a fun cast of cartoon-style insects set against greens, blues and browns.

Verdict: This is both a fun read-aloud and a nice introduction to bugs and their behavior and families. Sure to be a hit at storytimes and class read-alouds, pair it with the classic Diary of a Fly and other humorous "movie" style picture books like This is a Moose. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780884484639; Published March 2023 by Tilbury House; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library