Sometimes a beetle gets homesick for a home he’s never had, even a nomadic june beetle like Burt. Burt the Beetle returns in his second book to try out a variety of insect homes and learns a thing or two about all the different ways insects build an abode. In his charming and welcoming manner, Burt invites the readers to join him on his journey.
Burt the Beetle Lives Here! is a sweet, funny, and informative graphic novel for elementary school age readers. The readers join Burt, of Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite! fame, as gently humorous panels introduce different habits and the insects who live in them. Some need extremely cold weather, while others need super hot temperatures, some live high in the mountains, while others prefer deep underground, and so on. The readers learn that Burt, as a june beetle, wants to live where the weather isn’t extreme and plant life is vast. He adores a view of a porch light too!
All insects need shelter to rest, no matter what. June beetles like Burt will take shelter under a leaf. However, Burt doesn’t live in any one spot for a long time, unlike some other insects, and that has Burt curious. He thinks that maybe he needs to settle down and find a permanent home. And so, Burt observes the homes of other insects, but he can’t seem to find one that is just right for him. For example, stink bugs love to avoid the cold by living in human homes during winter, but Burt’s not so sure about humans. Spittlebugs make their foamy domes using a lot of biological fluids; a process Burt doesn’t want to try. When bad weather strikes, Burt’s plan to find shelter becomes more urgent, but he discovers that he doesn’t need much beyond a little cover and some friends.
The art style Ashely Spires implements for the Burt the Beetle series is perfect. Spires uses large panels and simple word bubbles to great effect. Emerging readers can follow along easily and learn new vocabulary without getting overwhelmed by busy details or crowded text. The bugs are adorable, and of course, are the stars of the book. The insects are all individuals, with their own personalities and quirks. One striking feature of many of the bugs throughout the book are their eyes. Spires manages to add so much personality to the bugs through just their eyes alone. And Burt himself is a perfect protagonist with his optimism, expressive eyes and arms, and penchant for hugs.
The publisher’s age rating for Burt the Beetle Lives Here! is ages 5-8. Perfect for new readers, the second installment of the Burt the Beetle series introduces kids to fun facts about one of their favorite subjects: bugs! While readers learn a lot about insect habitats throughout the story, there are a few pages at the end of the book dedicated to facts about insect builders, such as the caddisfly larva and carpenter ants. Burt the Beetle Lives Here! and Burt’s first book, Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite!, are must-have books for any children’s collection.
Burt the Beetle Lives Here!
Story by Ashley Spires
Kids Can Press, 2023
ISBN: 9781525310119
Publisher Age Rating: Ages 5-8 (Grades K-3).
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9)
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11)
