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My Stinky Summer by S. Bug

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My Stinky Summer by S. Bug

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Overview

Hilarious and scientifically accurate, this Nature Diary gives readers a bug's-eye-view of the life cycle of a stinkbug.

Told in diary form, My Stinky Summer by S. Bug introduces readers to the stinkbug's life cycle and survival habits.

From the day he is born, S. Bug hears the same refrain—"Ew! Stinkbug!" The stinkbug's odor is powerful protection against from predators. Perhaps too powerful. Readers will also learn about the challenges that arise when an ecosystem is pushed off-balance.

Children will love poring over the bright, highly detailed illustrations and pondering ideas about ecosystems and nature.

The book includes a glossary and further information in the back of the book. Both art and text have been vetted for accuracy by an expert.

A Junior Library Guild Selection!

Don't miss the other hilarious entries in The Nature Diary Series!

Each one explores the life cycle of an animal in dated journal entries, showing young readers how they grow and change through the seasons— and offering a few laughs, too! Brightly illustrated and vetted by experts, Paul Meisel's books are a perfect introduction to your backyard neighbors.

My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis
CCBC Best-of-the-Year List, AAAS /Subaru Finalist, Leaping Lizards Top 10 Read-alouds, SCIENCE Best Books for Curious Kids, Virginia Readers' Choices
My Happy Year by E. Bluebird
A Junior Library Guild Selection

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823440535
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	07/21/2020
Series:	A Nature Diary , #3
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.27(h) x 0.34(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Paul Meisel, who holds a master's degree in graphic design from Yale University, has illustrated many books for children, some of which he also wrote. See Me Run is a 2012 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Book and See Me Dig is a Kirkus Reviews Best Book.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

05/18/2020
Meisel’s third Nature Diary showcases the stink bug in a story that spans five months, from early June, when the brown marmorated stink bug narrator arrives (as “one of the twenty-eight eggs laid on the underside of this leaf”) to early October, when S. Bug tucks itself under tree bark for the winter. Along the way, the gently humorous volume follows S. Bug as it munches on plants, evades predators, and hears, over and over again, “Ew. Stink bug.” Mixed-media art portrays the insect at different stages of maturity amid leafy spreads, and a cameo by another famous stinker—the skunk—draws laughs. Meisel offers contextualizing information in an introduction and back matter, explaining, for example, how the invasive species likely arrived in the United States and how the bug’s scent helps the species to communicate and survive. An effective addition to the series. Ages 4–8. (July)

Publishers Weekly

★ "The book itself is composed of gorgeously detailed full-page watercolor illustrations and two-page spreads. . . . Informative for readers of all ages, the book is as charming as its perspective is unusual. A truly unique must-have for any collection."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Meisel’s inviting artwork illustrates the bug’s activities, such as molting, foraging, and defending itself against predators. . . . A worthy addition to the attractive Nature Diaries series."—Booklist

"Meisel manages droll, restrained anthropomorphism here that illuminates stink bug habits without making S. either a villain or a misunderstood hero; Bug is just a bug doing its bug things, without malice or virtue. . . . The diary entry format gives lots of breathers to new readers but also works well for a readaloud, especially for young naturalists or recent victims of stink bugs."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"The watercolor and acrylic illustrations are humorous yet real-world; painterly and refreshingly un-cartoonish. . . . The format and short sentences will suit independent early-chapter-book readers, but do read it aloud, if only for the luxury of saying “stink” as often as you want to." —The Horn Book

"Text is minimal in this fact-filled, captivating title. Sentences are concise and witty, capturing the voice of this feisty individualist. . . . Appealing colorful illustrations depict natural-world details, rendered in vivid colors. White space and light-colored backgrounds allow kids to focus on S. Bug’s activities and habitat. Illustrated facts about stink bugs appear on the endpapers, which are designed so that no text is covered by the flyleaves. Here’s an enticing critter children won’t soon forget."—Kirkus Reviews

"Mixed-media art portrays the insect at different stages of maturity amid leafy spreads, and a cameo by another famous stinker—the skunk—draws laughs. . . . An effective addition to the series."—Publishers Weekly

"Students will be drawn in by the full-color illustrations and nicely spaced, easy-to-read text on each page. . . . This would be an excellent beginner's book for budding entomologists"—School Library Connection

From the Publisher

★ 03/01/2021
Gr 2–4—In 2018, The New Yorker published the article "When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home." That horrifying true tale is listed as a source in Meisel's latest installment in his "Nature Diary" series. Said to be written by S. Bug, this is a first-person account of the first four months of a stink bug's life, from conception to hibernation. Yes, there is a chastely humorous illustration of two stink bugs mating. S. Bug writes about evading predators, feasting on food, and finding shelter, all while educating readers. The story is peppered with dry humor, like a recurring joke about the stink bug being the only creature proud of its triumphs—everyone else just finds it stinky. The book's introduction is written at an adult reading level but includes numerous labeled illustrations to appeal to all readers. The book itself is composed of gorgeously detailed full-page watercolor illustrations and two-page spreads. Each day in S. Bug's life is recounted with one or two simple sentences, such as this entry for July 4: "I was minding my own business eating some lettuce when a bird tried to eat me. I stunk him. He spat me out." Animals and bugs occasionally spout cute lines of dialogue. Back matter includes a glossary, additional facts, and recommended reading. Kids will likely find the tale funny, and adults may even feel a bit sympathetic toward this invasive species. VERDICT Informative for readers of all ages, the book is as charming as its perspective is unusual. A truly unique must-have for any collection.—Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MA

School Library Journal

2020-04-08
A malodorous insect narrates its autobiography.
A brown marmorated (“veined or streaked like marble,” according to the glossary) stink bug describes its summer life cycle and activities in diary form. While the creature celebrates its birth in early June, having hatched from one of 28 eggs laid on the underside of a leaf, others are less than thrilled. This is partly because S. Bug’s more-vile-than-fragrant aroma protects it from being eaten and threatened by neighbors. Text is minimal in this fact-filled, captivating title. Sentences are concise and witty, capturing the voice of this feisty individualist. Readers will learn much about the smelly insect, including facts about its plant-based diet—which, unhappily, makes it a crop-damaging pest—and how it develops, after several larval stages, into a fully grown winged creature. Throughout, pithy, comically negative points of view about the stink bug are expressed as hand-lettered dialogue by other animals and insects. The book ends with S. Bug’s search for a suitable winter home, which it locates in early October and from which it will emerge the following spring. Appealing colorful illustrations depict natural-world details, rendered in vivid colors. White space and light-colored backgrounds allow kids to focus on S. Bug’s activities and habitat. Illustrated facts about stink bugs appear on the endpapers, which are designed so that no text is covered by the flyleaves.
Ew! Here’s an enticing critter children won’t soon forget. (sources, further reading) (Informational picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

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