Snug As a Big Red Bug

Poor Red Bug doesn't know anything about the cold wind and snow winter. His friends ask him, "Red Bug, Red Bug, Where will you go? Winter is coming, With cold wind and snow." But the animals who are warning him of the changing season are not keen to let him burrow into their warm winter coats.

Each potential hibernation site (feathers, fur, wool and hair) belongs to a reluctant host who sends the bug away again. Finally, Red Bug finds a perfect spot that bothers no one and the book ends happily with him snoring away in front of a fireplace. (Yes, you guessed it, as snug as a bug in a rug.)

The book's rhyming pattern is a wonderful reading device for developing readers and the bug's search provides a playful look at the way various animal's adapt to the cold. Youngsters love to chant the text with or without the book in hand.

Children's Literature

The zany, colorful illustrations leap off the pages of this "New Reader" series, which follows the trail of a little red bug searching for a warm place to snuggle in for the winter. With each new prospect, younger students may chime in with "no way. Oh no no." Chased off by the lamb, duck, dog, and man, the red bug finds his winter resting place hiding in the rug of the farmhouse in front of a crackling fire. Resource materials for teachers can be found at www.pokeweek.com.

Versatile and prolific, Frank B. Edwards has written 23 children's books (for ages 3 to 12), including juvenile novels, picture books and early readers. His first novel, "Frogger", was nominated for a Silver Birch Award. Frank's humorous picture books are popular with children, parents and teachers alike.

Tucson-based John Bianchi is a popular children's illustrator and author whose picture books have entertained millions of young readers since 1986. He has illustrated almost 50 children's books, including 15 of his own stories. His zany cartoon style is especially effective at bringing stories alive for beginning readers.