What's Your Favorite Bug?

What's Your Favorite

by Eric Carle

In this companion to What's Your Favorite Animal? and What’s Your Favorite Color? , Eric Carle and fourteen other beloved children's book artists illustrate their favorite bugs and explain why they love them.

Everybody has a favorite bug. Some like shiny, colorful beetles or busy ants or soft pale moths best. Others prefer spindly walking sticks or fuzzy caterpillars that turn into bright butterflies. With beautiful illustrations and charming personal stories, 15 children's book artists share their favorite bugs and why they love them.

What's Your Favorite Bug? features words and pictures

Eric Carle
Joey Chou
Eric Fan
Denise Fleming
Ekua Holmes
Tim Hopgood
Molly Idle
Beth Krommes
Scott Magoon
Kenard Pak
Maggie Rudy
Britta Teckentrup
Brendan Wenzel
Teagan White
Eugene Yelchin

- GODWIN BOOKS -

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Nonfiction, Childrens, Poetry, Animals, Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2018

About the author

Eric Carle was an American author, designer and illustrator of children's books. His picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, first published in 1969, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. Carle's career as an illustrator and children's book author accelerated after he collaborated on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Carle illustrated more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 145 million copies of his books have been sold around the world.
In 2003, the American Library Association awarded Carle the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children's Literature Legacy Award), a prize for writers or illustrators of children's books published in the U.S. who have made lasting contributions to the field. Carle was also a U.S. nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The memories of reading this aloud to my kids sitting outside on a beautiful day at the Eric Carle Museum having pulled the book from the very little free library sitting out there was the most fun. I didn't realize he had this collaborative series of "what's your favorite", but I learned something about the illustrators that contributed to the book but also about the bugs themselves. It's informative and beautiful with Carle's illustrations.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed books by Scott Magoon, so I decided to put this one on hold. I didn't know it is a compilation of different artist/writer's favorites. I didn't know there are several books of this type. I guess they're all "Eric Carle and Friends" books. I think I'll look for the others as well as books by the individuals.

One of the things I like about this is that each artist/writer has their own pages to show their favorite bug.

The first time I read it to my granddaughter and just read the name of the favorite bug. We enjoyed the illustrations. The second time, I also read all the words to Alena. She was patient with me.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the books in this series and want every opportunity to promote them to schools and teachers.

[Joan Almond · Rating 5 out of 5]

#WhatsYourFavouriteBug #EricCarle #plus #14featuredillustrators #HenryHoltAndCompany

Eric Carle 's books , The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See? were stories I regularly told in the years I worked as a Children's Programmer at a Public Library. The books easily captured the attention of young children and were fun to tell.

So when I heard about 'What's your Favorite Bug?,’ I knew I wanted to purchase it. To be able to help The Eric Carle Museum felt like an opportunity I didn't want to miss. A way of saying thanks for all those ‘storytime tellings.’

The illustrations are: bold, bright, artistic , and as unique as the text! I loved reading about each illustrator; some Caldecott winners and others formally trained as artists. It was exciting turning each page discovering the illustrator’s favourite bug. Why was their particular tiny creature their choice? How would each approach telling in a few lines of text why this was their 'chosen bug.'

Some told their tale; in rhyme , others told a back story from their childhood, still others took another approach. The diversity flowed and held my interest. So much talent on every page! So much colour with lots of 'buggie facts.’

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Proceeds from this title benefit the Eric Carle Picture Book Museum. And when you read this title you will be treated to the art work of fifteen children’s book illustrators, a double page spread from each one featuring their favorite bug, yes bug. Great topic as what is Eric Carle very well know for,The Very Hungry Caterpillar. First illustration found in this title is of course the Hungry Caterpillar and if you have studied about Eric Carle you will recognize facial features on the caterpillar holding a small caterpillar on their finger. Super total image! Besides the illustrations of fifteen favorite bugs is a thumbnail biographical sketch of each artist complete with a childhood photo.
Three of my favorite illusions have gorgeous illustrations included, Denise Fleming, Beth Krommes, and Britta Teckentrup and the others I am going to pursue their illustrated titles more. Teagan White will be the first as she loves moths just as I do. If you are involved with children’s picture books in anyway read this title. And read it to your favorite children.

[Berly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an audiobook review.

This is a children's book in the "What's Your Favorite ,,, ?" series. In this book, we learn the favorite bug for several people. I knew none of the people, although they are listed as children's book artists, and hadn't heard of some of the bugs. I did learn a couple of interesting things about some of the different bugs that were mentioned. Bugs can be pretty fascinating. Some of the individuals wrote a little poem about their favorite. Others gave some interesting facts about theirs. There didn't seem to be a particular format that they went by to describe the bug of choice.

Since I listened to the book, I can't comment on any illustrations that the print copy may have. There is music playing in the background of the narration in the audiobook. It also has a female and a male narrator for the different genders of contributors.

The print book is available now. I was given the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audiobook by Macmillian Audio and Netgalley. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 for this one because of its original concept and the variety of artistic techniques represented here. Picture book fans will recognize the names and work of the 15 artists who have contributed to this book in their own unique ways. Each one has chosen a favorite bug and then created an artistic response to that creepy crawly critter as well as providing a brief explanation for why that's the bug for them. It is pretty amazing to see so many different bugs represented here, starting with Eric Carle's famous caterpillar and concluding with Joey Chou's Rhino Beetle. I loved Denise Fleming's Praying Mantis and Beth Krommes' Dragonfly in particular, but there isn't a single one of these bugs that won't appeal to someone. Not only will art fans love this one, but science teachers might want to add this title to their classroom shelves. Ah, how the wonders of nature and even its smallest creatures is celebrated here!

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the first two picture books in this series, this one focuses entirely on insects. As with the other boos, Eric Carle is joined by other illustrators who draw an image of their favorite insect, tell a little about it and explain why they love it. One of the major treats of this series is never knowing what the page turn will bring, since each double-page spread is done by a different illustrator.

This collection has racial diversity in the illustrators included and also has a nice mix of male and female artists. As with all of the books in the series, there is a wonderful diversity in the art styles as well. The design of the book and the order of the pages works particularly well. There are dark and bright pages that lead readers on a journey of light and shadow that is particularly effective when combined with the crawly nature of bugs.

Another winner in this series that will have you searching out new illustrators to see their full books. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s Your Favorite Bug by Eric Carle and Friends. PICTURE BOOK. Godwin Books (Henry Holt and Company), 2018. $18. 9781250151759

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Fourteen well known author/illustrators tell readers what their favorite bug is through either direct explanation or poetry. This is paired with an illustration by each different artist. The art is all beautiful and carefully curated.

The effect of compiling various illustrators together makes the power of art stand out in a way that I think adult readers will appreciate more than young readers. This book could be used for a project in which the students themselves have to articulate what their favorite bug is and why and make a piece of art to accompany it.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Vanima León · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the world of bugs. What is Your Favorite Bug? is a very interesting. Eric Carle and 14 children's book artists share their favorite animals and why they love them.

I listened to the audiobook. It had very cleaver music that had me picturing different scenes in my mind. The voices of the narrator made me want to listen to more books they have narrated.

Imagine sitting around a campfire or classroom and everyone discussing your favorite bugs. Are your favorite bugs shiny, wiggly, blue or fly? This book will definitely have everyone thinking. I loved the audiobook. I can’t wait to see the beautiful illustrations.

~Thank you NetGallery and Macmillan Audio for providing an ARC.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series, but I'm conflicted on its execution.

I LOVE the idea of asking children's book author-illustrators about their favorite things. The variety they give is great, and especially if you're a fan of the author's other stuff, it's neat to have an insight into them as a person.
I also love the idea of introducing readers to new authors they may not have known.
BUT - I don't love reading the books and only knowing who 2-3 of the people are. For me, as a grown-up, it's a lot less interesting. I don't know who these people are, so I'm not connected to their favorite things.
Thus - conflicted. Familiarity with the same old folks vs. the disconnect with new artists.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Carle and 14 other illustrators share their favorite bugs and why those critters are their favorite through a 1 page spread each of art and text.

There's a wide variety of creepy crawlies included here. It is nice to hear that even the bugs that most despise have admirers out there. (Some spiders and a millipede get mentioned as favorites.) I love the variety of illustrators included. Their art styles and text are diverse as their countries of origin. My favorite pages were Molly Idle's bees and Kenard Pak's lightning bugs. A great book for curious readers, illustrator studiers, and for insect/arthropod units.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since completing a course detailing all the insects in the arthropod phylum, I'd like to say that most of these "bugs" are not actually bugs. In fact, some are not even insects but are more closely related to crustaceans! BUGS are a specific order in the phylum Arthropoda, and they consist of the TRUE BUGS (Hemiptera) - this includes aphids, cicadas, bed bugs, stink bugs....anyways. Just a thought from my intensive study of bugs this semester.

That little detail aside, I quite enjoyed reading a little bit about all the creepy crawlies! And the personalities and colours associated with them! Also enjoyed seeing some of my favourite illustrators and their distinctive art!

[Siarra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eric Carle and many other authors and illustrators put this book of poems together about different types of bugs. Each bug that is mentioned comes with a poem and detailed illustrations. Personally, I did not care for the poems in this book because I didn't think of it as poetry. It just seemed like a regular piece of narrative or informational writing. However, I really enjoyed the illustrations that accompanied each poem because it brought the poems alive for the reader. I don't think I would use this in my future classroom because I did not care for the poems and think there could be better poetry reading options for my students.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read at just under 2 years old.

This is right up M's alley: an entire book celebrating different types of bugs! She loves the ladybug page, of course, and she also likes the dancing bees, the firefly page, and the page where the bug seems like it's "hiding" since it is camouflaged.

M is so little that I don't read all of the text on every page, so I'm not sure what the experience of reading this would be if we were to read it all the way through. When we first got it from the library, she wanted to read it again and again and again.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many different artists draw a picture and write s a little bit about their favorite bugs. The artists are off various genders, races, ethnicities, which helps to allow children to see many different peoples perspectives. It’s good to see different art stakes and different ways to talk about their favorite bugs (biographical, poems, short stories) and it could help lead to activities where kids do the same thing. It can open conversations on how kids can talk about their favorite things in different ways - and there’s no wrong way to gosh about the things you like!

[Annie Brechbuhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobooks are beloved by children and are an integral part of my classroom. Eric Carle is my favorite children's author, so of course I am always thrilled to learn of a new book in his world. I would love to have a copy of this book and CD for my classroom listening center.

My daughter enjoyed listening to the audiobook and repeating some of the sounds she heard.

This audiobook will be published on 06/17/2025. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free review copy of this book through my district library services*

This book is absolutely gorgeous. Some of the illustrations took my breath away. With the variety of illustration styles and writing styles, this will make a wonderful read aloud (I'd highly recommend a document camera and projector if you're working with a large group) but could also be used as a mentor text. Highly recommend.

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

This is my favorite (so far) in the Eric Carle and Friends series. Of course, they're all wonderful! If you love picture book art and always tend to look closely at it like I do, you will be pleasantly surprised to be able to recognize your favorite illustrators before you see their names. It's kind of like when you're out on a walk and you see a flower or hear a bird you know and can name it. It's fun!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is informative as to a number of different insects, arachnids and millipedes/caterpillars. While the facts are kept to a minimum, the illustrations are by many different artists with each artist having his/her own style. This book's artwork is enticingly beautiful and it makes me want to find the facts for adult readers too!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An artsy, indulgent walk through the pages of different artists and their favorite imaginings of their favorite bug. Includes personal stories and unique illustrations by each author/illustrator. A treasure.

Would be fun to share with a classroom/audience then have kids write about what's their favorite bug and why.

Themes: bugs/insects,
Ages: 1-3rd grade
Pub year: 2018

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compilation of authors/illustrators favorite bugs. Very cute illustrations by each participant.

I love the Eric Carle caterpillar and more. The text can be informational-long or brief or rhyming.

Hidden cover which is actually cuter than the book jacket.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing collection of favorite children's illustrators sharing their favorite bugs. Would make a great book for storytime if you focus on the illustrator and bug OR read aloud if you read the reasoning behind each insect.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authors and Illustrators of children's books are featured on each page as they draw a picture and write about their favorite bug. Did you know that Eric Carle's favorite is a caterpillar because of his book - A very hungry Caterpillar?

[NayDoubleU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book

I need to own this book like yesterday. It was super cute and the drawings were as well. Loved that children made this book possible. Would love to do something like this with my students.

[Buku Arutala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to know favorite bugs from your favorite authors/illustrators is so much fun. They have their own and personal reasons why they like those bugs. Reading this book adds some information about the kind of bugs that I never know before. It's interesting and I recommend you to get the copy.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, the art is the most alluring feature of an Eric Carle book. The variety of insects is good, and I guess these collaborations are a good way to boost other authors, though it's not explicit in the book that the personal narratives are not from kids but other authors.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this bug book. Eric Carle and fourteen other children's book artists illustrate their favorite bugs and explain why they love them. The text is brief, sometimes in the form of a poem, and the illustrations are captivating.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series…number 3…keep them coming!

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!