Bert The Beetle Lives Here
Bert is back and this time he is looking for a place to call his very own. Bert the Beetle Lives Here by Ashley Spires makes a perfect addition to your insect loving reader’s summer reading list.
Bert is a June beetle. He is also looking for a home. After seeing all the different homes his insect friends build and inhabit, he is feeling a little left out. He has a couple requirements: he has to be able to see the porch light and it must be cozy. He searches and searches but nothing is just right. When a rainstorm blows up unexpectedly, Bert is forced to find shelter and discovers a home perfect for a hug loving insect like himself.
Bert the Beetle Lives Here is a middle grade graphic novel full of humour and science. Throughout the incredibly adorable story, readers will laugh along with Bert’s missteps and learn a ton about different insect homes in the process. I really love a book that can do double duty. The Bear and The Bee have always been drawn to expository literature titles, non fiction titles that are unique and focused on one topic. In this case we learn all about insect homes though a clever, funny story about the sweetest huggable June beetle.
There is something so delightful about a June beetle. They were the only insects I could stand as a child. I think because their arrival signaled the start of summer and the end of the school year, plus with a June birthday, what’s not to love about them. We had lots growing up around our porch lights so it has been a treat to learn a little more about them through Ashley Spires’ stories.
Also, there is fantastic back matter giving readers a little more detail about some of the insects and their homes featured in the story.
The art in the book is perfect. Bert is the most adorable little cartoon beetle and his expressive eyes are so sincere and innocent. Ashley Spires captures insect homes in her simple illustrative style. Readers get a full picture of insect homes with enough detail that they will be able to identify them in their own communities.
