May 3, 2023
Hands up who has a little one that LOVES bugs? Me too! From the moment she clapped her eyes on them, that was it. Ladybirds in her hair, snails who somehow managed to come to tea, and little pet woodlice wriggling around in their new ‘leaf houses’.
It’s no surprise that we’ve completely fallen in love with the new picture book, The Girl Who LOVES bugs by Lily Murray. It’s newly published just in time for bug season by Macmillan Children’s Books. Here’s what we thought.
The Girl Who LOVES Bugs by Lily Murray
Synopsis
The Girl Who Loves Bugs is a hilarious and heart-warming story empowering young girls to always be curious, from superstar writer Lily Murray and Waterstones Prize-winning illustrator, Jenny Løvlie.
Evie loves bugs. And she’s fed up of having to keep up with her mums and brother on walks when she’d rather be peering under logs and examining snails. So, one day, she decides to bring the bugs inside, so she can be with them all the time. The problem is, the family is coming to stay, even the fearsome Great Gran, who doesn’t stand up for any nonsense. And on the day of their arrival, Evie wakes up to find her bugs have escaped. . . all over the house! What is Great Gran going to say?
A beautiful, bug-filled story about following your dreams, and the unconditional love of family. With ideas and tips at the back for looking after some of your own bugs (outside!).
The Girl Who LOVES bugs by Lily Murray and illustrated by Jenny Løvlie is absolutely beautiful! It ebbs and flows with plenty of pretty rhyme that had us keen to turn every page to see what Evie did next.
The story takes us on Evie’s journey of delighting in bugs, and wanting more time to stop, look and touch them. But, with a family not as keen as her, she gets rushed along and doesn’t have as much time as she’d like to take a closer look at them.
Not one to be discouraged, Evie decides to take the bugs home instead. That way she’d have plenty of time to observe her new pets!
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this spread in the book. There’s a lovely sense of Evie bringing the outside in, and being so easy with everything from spiders to beetles. Magical… until…
… the family comes for lunch and her pet bugs are ‘ALL OVER THE PLACE’! Ekk!! *omg whispers every parent who has been lucky enough to spend an hour or two looking for missing pets.
This was such a gigglesome laugh out loud moment, which we all found hilarious *and nostalgic.
Luckily for Evie, Great Gran has a wonderful idea to help her build a minibeast zoo in the garden for all her pet bugs. The perfect place for Evie to continue observing and enjoying bugs, whilst they are kept safe in their natural habitat.
Our overall thoughts – The Girl Who LOVES Bugs by Lily Murray
Awww!!! This gorgeous, gorgeous picture book is such a delight.
The story, Evie’s joy in bugs, the great bug escapes, the way Great Gran helps to encourage her passion…. everything feels so spot on and relatable. We love the warmth and joy that sparkles in the rhyme, making this the perfect summer read after a day out exploring in the garden or further afield.
The illustrations are of course stunning, and have a wonderful way of making you feel included in the story. There’s a magical quality to the color palette that’s somehow fresh and outdoorsy, yet comforting and homely too.
We absolutely love The Girl Who LOVES bugs by Lily Murray and illustrated by Jenny Løvlie – it’s one of those picture books that we’ll never forget.
The Girl Who LOVES bugs by Lily Murray and illustrated by Jenny Løvlie is out now of all good bookstores.
Pin me for later 😉
Disclosure: This book was viewed via NetGalley for the purposes of this review. All views are our own.