Prunella is aflutter to share her big-bug surprise at show-and-tell, but suddenly the classroom is abuzz with an even bigger bug surprise. Readers will enjoy the intriguing bug facts artfully woven throughout the jaunty read-aloud text. Full color. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Pint-size Prunella is the authority on all things insect in this delightful paper-over-board volume. Gran (Princess Penelope) draws Prunella herself with massive bug eyes, wing-like arms, a ladybug dress and hair ribbons that protrude like antennae. The heroine inhabits a room outfitted with a variety of buggy furnishings (a bee-shaped clock, a chair with a back resembling a ladybug) and home to many winged and six-legged creatures (an ant farm and, in the book's denouement, a dung beetle). Not surprisingly, no one seems to have the time or the inclination to share in Prunella's interest. But when she finally gets her moment in the sun (involving a homeless colony of bees), Prunella offers a solution that saves the day. Finally, she gets what she was hoping for: an appreciative audience. Gran nicely portrays a heroine whose passion is its own reward. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

K-Gr 3 Prunella knows a lot about bugs, but no one has time to listen not her parents, the bus driver, or her teacher. She waits patiently for her turn at show-and-tell only to have a swarm of bees invade her classroom. When everyone else runs away, the quick-thinking child covers herself with a white sheet and leads the swarm to a new hive, all the while explaining the behavior of the insects. With peace restored, she wins the undivided attention of her classmates with her dung beetle, one of "nature's pooper-scoopers." Gran uses watercolors, dark outlines, and a cartoon style to bring Prunella's story to life. While her teacher and classmates sometimes fade into a monochromatic background, the girl stands out, resembling the bugs she loves. Her wispy hair, tied with red ribbons on either side of her large head, resembles spider legs. Her sleeves might be dragonfly wings, her skirt could be a ladybug, and her stockings are the black and yellow stripes of bee bodies. Reminiscent of Megan McDonald's Insects Are My Life (Scholastic, 1995), this book enlightens and informs with tidbits of information and a fact sheet. It's a clever introduction to entomology. Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information