Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Pint-size Prunella is the authority on all things insect in this delightful paper-over-board volume. Gran (Princess Penelope) draws Prunella herself with massive bug eyes, wing-like arms, a ladybug dress and hair ribbons that protrude like antennae. The heroine inhabits a room outfitted with a variety of buggy furnishings (a bee-shaped clock, a chair with a back resembling a ladybug) and home to many winged and six-legged creatures (an ant farm and, in the book's denouement, a dung beetle). Not surprisingly, no one seems to have the time-or the inclination-to share in Prunella's interest. But when she finally gets her moment in the sun (involving a homeless colony of bees), Prunella offers a solution that saves the day. Finally, she gets what she was hoping for: an appreciative audience. Gran nicely portrays a heroine whose passion is its own reward. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Prunella knows a lot about bugs, but no one has time to listen-not her parents, the bus driver, or her teacher. She waits patiently for her turn at show-and-tell only to have a swarm of bees invade her classroom. When everyone else runs away, the quick-thinking child covers herself with a white sheet and leads the swarm to a new hive, all the while explaining the behavior of the insects. With peace restored, she wins the undivided attention of her classmates with her dung beetle, one of "nature's pooper-scoopers." Gran uses watercolors, dark outlines, and a cartoon style to bring Prunella's story to life. While her teacher and classmates sometimes fade into a monochromatic background, the girl stands out, resembling the bugs she loves. Her wispy hair, tied with red ribbons on either side of her large head, resembles spider legs. Her sleeves might be dragonfly wings, her skirt could be a ladybug, and her stockings are the black and yellow stripes of bee bodies. Reminiscent of Megan McDonald's Insects Are My Life (Scholastic, 1995), this book enlightens and informs with tidbits of information and a fact sheet. It's a clever introduction to entomology.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Prunella's friends and family tire easily of her constant spouting of bug facts. But when she puts her vast insect knowledge to use by saving the class from an errant colony of bees, everyone becomes extremely attentive. A clever introduction to entomology, the humorous text and cartoonlike illustrations, both filled with entertaining bug details, will engage insect enthusiasts of all levels. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Prunella is fascinated with bugs. Other people don't seem to share her enthusiasm, though. Whenever she shares an interesting fact, their response always seems to be, "Not now, Prunella." But that all changes one day at school when a queen bee flies in the window. Prunella knows that she never flies alone and that the rest of the hive will soon follow, but her teacher doesn't want to listen. So, Prunella takes the situation into her own hands and uses her knowledge of bees to lead them to a new hive outside the building, saving her classmates from the swarm. After that, everyone wants to hear what she has to say about bugs, even when the facts are not the most pleasant (her show-and-tell is a dung beetle). A final page lists a few more facts about the bugs Prunella has mentioned. Gran's droll illustrations perfectly capture the spirit of a young girl in love with bugs. Looking like a bug herself, even Prunella's pet bugs have personalities. This plucky heroine is sure to be an inspiration to every girl with an interest that is outside the norm and a perfect companion to Megan McDonald's Insects Are My Life (1995). (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
