Review

What did the flower say to the bees? (Stop bugging me!) How can you tell there is a bug in your sandwich? (It crunches!) Where can you find the funniest bug jokes around? (In David A. Carter’s new book, Giggle Bugs.) Popular children’s author and illustrator David A. Carter must have loved to play with bugs as a child. His obvious delight in the insect world can be seen through his clever pop-up and board book creations, the latest of which is Giggle Bugs. Giggle Bugs contains 58 of the silliest, craziest bug jokes that have ever been told. Children will have a ball reading the riddles and lifting the flaps to find the answers. Accompanying these zany jokes are a wide variety of silly, crazy bugs, fresh from the imagination of Carter himself. And these are not your normal, everyday bugs either. Instead they are baker-bugs, clock-bugs, banana-bugs, cow bugs and more. And if the illustrations themselves aren’t enough fun, a hilarious sound chip features a goofy laugh that will set off gales of laughter in even the most timid, bug-wary child. David A. Carter’s first venture into the world of bug books was with his counting/novelty book, How Many Bugs in a Box? Children delighted at lifting flaps to find colorful bug-eyed (naturally) creatures, or watching them pop up off the pages. Learning to count had never been so much fun. That book was such a hit it launched a whole bug empire. Subsequent bug books have included Jingle Bugs, a holiday title with lights and music, introducing Santa Bug and Ornament Bug; Feely Bugs, a touch-and-feel volume including feathery, glittery, and fluffy bugs; and Alpha Bugs, a silly trip from A-to-Z, starring such imaginative creatures as Pink Powder Puff Bug. Now, many years and hundreds of bugs later, Carter is still busy as a bee, bringing us bigger and better bug books. I just hope no one tells him to bug off anytime soon! Sharon Galligar Chance is the senior book reviewer at the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.