As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
(4)
1-3
Super Fly series.
Tired of feeling ignored, Super Fly's devoted sidekick, Fantastic Flea, decides to team up with their nemesis, Crazy Cockroach in the series' third entry (Flea). Next, Crazy Cockroach brainwashes an army of insects in hopes of defeating Super Fly for good (Army). There is a measured tedium to these accessible good-versus-evil chapter books with amusing cartoony spot art of the bug-eyed heroes. Review covers these Super Fly titles: Rise of the Evil Army! and Super Fly vs. Furious Flea!
(4)
1-3
Super Fly series.
Tired of feeling ignored, Super Fly's devoted sidekick, Fantastic Flea, decides to team up with their nemesis, Crazy Cockroach in the series' third entry (Flea). Next, Crazy Cockroach brainwashes an army of insects in hopes of defeating Super Fly for good (Army). There is a measured tedium to these accessible good-versus-evil chapter books with amusing cartoony spot art of the bug-eyed heroes. Review covers these Super Fly titles: Rise of the Evil Army! and Super Fly vs. Furious Flea!
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-691-0$18.95
(4)
K-3
Xtreme Insects series.
This series introduces young readers to various members of the insect community. Each formulaic book includes a simple introduction of the genus, a discussion of body parts, and brief paragraphs on various species; edibility by humans and potential medical uses are also considered. Colorful, zoomed-in photographs vary in quality but will engage insect enthusiasts. "Xtreme fact" sidebars extend the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Xtreme Insects titles: Ants, Bees & Wasps, Beetles, Flies, Mantis, and Roaches.
58 pp.
| Holt
| June, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9158-8$16.99
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Paul Rátz de Tagyos.
In her fourth book, cockroach Maybelle falls asleep in Mrs. Peabody's ten-layer cake and winds up at the school bake sale. While trying to find her way home, Maybelle must rescue her pal Henry, a flea, from a start-up flea circus. Chock-full of humorous situations, young readers will delight in the friendly roach's antics--and think twice about biting into their school lunches.
24 pp.
| Capstone
| August, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4765-2063-6$24.65
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Creepy Crawlers series.
This series focuses on physical appearance, habitat, eating habits, and life cycle. Each book presents its limited information in easy-to-read text with hints of sensationalism ("Bam! Tarantulas use their legs to grab bugs"), while large, glossy color photographs of varying quality, some with well-placed labels, capture the drama. Vocabulary is suited to beginning readers; content is best for insect enthusiasts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creepy Crawlers titles: Cockroaches, Scorpions, and Tarantulas.
32 pp.
| Viking
| February, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01410-1$14.99
(4)
K-3
Roach's sparkly costume ideas are met with resistance from Rat and their band, The Rat-a-Tat Pack. When stage fright gets the better of Roach, Rat yields to Roach's wardrobe fancies to help his friend face his fears. The opposites-attract story line, recycled from Rat and Roach: Friends to the End, is familiar. Covell's super-cool digital illustrations of the rocking pals steal the show.
121 pp.
| Holiday
| August, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2872-4$16.95
(4)
4-6
First Kids Mystery series.
In book six of this series, the president's daughters' new pet cockroach has been bugged. Cammie and Tessa must find the culprit before their private conversations result in a national security breach. The mystery itself is fairly bland, but Freeman weaves kid-friendly humor with current issues such as healthy eating in schools. The story is followed by an author's note on protests.
32 pp.
| New Forest
| March, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-84898-518-6$28.50
(4)
K-3
Creepy Crawlies series.
This series presents introductions to six "creepy crawlies." Neon-bright paint-splattered backgrounds feature enlarged close-up photos of the insects and arachnids in action while scattered text and colorful sidebars contain brief facts on every eye-catching but visually overwhelming spread. The layout and format is consistent throughout the series; a life cycle diagram and fact page conclude each book. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creepy Crawlies titles: The Life Cycle of Army Ants, The Life Cycle of Cockroaches, The Life Cycle of Dung Beetles, The Life Cycle of Fleas, The Life Cycle of Honey Bees, and The Life Cycle of Tarantulas.
32 pp.
| Viking
| June, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01409-5$12.99
(4)
PS
Dapper Roach is fancy and tidy. Chubby Rat is smelly and messy. The two are great friends, but when their differences become annoying, a little time apart helps them remember what they like about each other. This simple tale of opposites attracting is well told but uneventful. Engaging art tagged with spray paint splotches has a hip, urban feel.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-441-7$17.95
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Animal Library: Unique Pets series.
These books offer general information on the natural habitats, appearance, and behaviors of out-of-the-ordinary animals that can be kept as pets, as well as the care they need when domesticated. The series suffers from a dull, repetitive design, though the information is straightforward and accessible, and compelling photographs will appeal to young exotic-animal enthusiasts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library titles: Chameleons, Iguanas, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, and Potbellied Pigs.
58 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9468-8$16.99
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Paul Rátz de Tagyos.
Bernice the ant insists on treating Maybelle, a cockroach, as her queen. Maybelle thinks she could get used to such treatment, but with Bernice's service comes trouble. While trying to keep hard-working Bernice safe, Maybelle, Bernice, and Henry the flea end up convincing the human inhabitants that their house is haunted. Black-and-white illustrations sprinkled throughout underscore the friendly story's humor.
24 pp.
| Gareth
| March, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4339-4607-3$22.60
(4)
K-3
World of Bugs series.
Each volume provides very basic facts about the title "bug." The leveled texts are choppy and provide little substantive information, but they may give confidence to new readers. It's more likely that children will be drawn to the books' clear, up-close photographic images than to the writing. A useful "Words to Know" page, with accompanying photos, is appended to each text. Review covers these World of Bugs titles: Beastly Beetles, Freaky Flies, Mysterious Mantises, Repulsive Roaches, Strange Spiders, and Weird Walking Sticks.
48 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| February, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3685-7$23.93
(4)
K-3
Far-Out and Unusual Pets series.
This series touches on how to live with and care for oddball pets. The volumes are enhanced by many photographs and some humorous cartoon illustrations. The authors try hard to invigorate the texts with kid-friendly language ("A potbellied pig is a really cool pet"); it's sometimes a strain. "Far Out!" sidebars give more information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Ferrets, Hairless Cats, Hermit Crabs, Hissing Cockroaches, Iguanas, and Potbellied Pigs.
154 pp.
| Farrar/Kroupa
| April, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-31323-4$16.00
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Anne Wilsdorf.
Loizeaux stands Kafka on his head, as young cockroach Clarence awakens as a roach-sized human. Shocked, the other cockroaches quarantine him. When they're spotted in the kitchen and an exterminator is called, it's up to Clarence to work out a truce between the cockroach colony members and their human hosts. Amusing black-and-white illustrations enhance this quirky and amiable adventure.
226 pp.
| Hyperion
| August, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-0418-6$16.99
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Bonnie Leick.
A failing jazz club's impending foreclosure threatens a cockroach colony that lives in the shabby building. One of the bugs, Impetuous Roach (a.k.a. Impy), embarks on a plan to save both the club and the entire colony. Though the story lacks real suspense, the insect main characters make for a unique point of view.
(3)
YA
Thirteen-year-old Jo learns she is the Ichthala, prophesied to destroy the alternate world of Eldrich City, home to bizarre characters ("giant cockroaches...swishing about in jeweled capes and shimmering pantaloons, swinging chromium walking sticks") and raucous situations. Readers who aren't lost in the nonsense world or confused by the cacophony of voices will delight in the silliness and adventure.
60 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-8093-3$16.95
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Paul Rátz de Tagyos.
There's no one as fussy as the Peabody family--despite the fact that Maybelle, a cockroach, and Henry, a flea, live in the house that they keep "JUST SO." Joined by new friend Maurice, a fly, the bugs upset Mrs. Peabody's very snooty tea party. This sequel to Maybelle in the Soup offers a full course of nondemanding humor for young readers.
32 pp.
| Peachtree
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56145-399-3$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Michael Austin.
Martina, a lovely green Cuban cockroach, follows her grandmother's advice and applies the coffee test to all her prospective husbands: when a suitor comes calling, she spills coffee on his shoes and quickly discovers how he'll behave when angry. Humorous wordplay adds spice to this (unsourced) retelling, while the entertaining acrylic illustrations portray the animals' foibles with gusto. Concurrently published in Spanish.
32 pp.
| Peachtree
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56145-425-9$16.95
(3)
K-3
Translated by Cristina de la Torre.
Illustrated by
Michael Austin.
Martina the cockroach has reached marrying age and, with the help of her grandmother's wise advice, she seeks an acceptable suitor. Martina meets with several, none of whom pass muster, until she finally encounters her perfect match. This richly illustrated retelling of a tale from Cuban folklore features sophisticated Spanish-language grammar and vocabulary. Concurrently published in English.
58 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-8092-6$15.95
(2)
1-3
Illustrated by
Paul Rátz de Tagyos.
This book introduces an unlikely pair of protagonists--Maybelle, a stylish cockroach, and Henry, a wise flea. Henry lays low, but Maybelle craves adventure. Illustrations from a variety of perspectives reinforce the humor, and spot art breaks up large chunks of text. The capitalization of certain words and phrases helps children recognize nuances of tone.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2007
27 reviews
Get connected. Join our global community of more than 200,000 librarians and educators.
This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.