Who Will Play with Me?

Slugs & Bugs

by Randall Goodgame, Cory Jones (Illustrator)

Doug the Slug is thrilled to discover an awesome red wagon at the playground, but soon he is feeling pouty because he can't find a friend to pull him while he rides. But when he decides to think about someone other than himself and pull Sparky the Lightning Bug instead, Doug learns that  being  a good friend is even more fun.

Even when Slugs & Bugs music isn’t playing, old and new friends of the fun brand can now enjoy its witty world and biblical wisdom in books too! Using few words but lots of visual storytelling, Who Will Play with Me? gets readers laughing while learning a lesson from Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Also Are We Still Friends?  


 

Genres: Friendship, Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2019

Reviews

[Fay Jacobsohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute book is supposed to tell how to value others above yourselves from Philippians 2:3. It is a story of a slug and a bug. It is a cute story that rhymes and has great illustrations. However, I think the message is not clear, especially for young children. Some of the rhymes are a little long, too. I read it to my three-year-old granddaughter, a book lover, and she definitely did not get the point and barely made it through the book. She mainly liked looking at the pictures.

I haven't read other “Slugs and Bugs” stories, so I can't compare to them. But even to older children, I think the message is a little too obtuse. I would have liked it explained a little better, which a parent or grandparent could try to do.

Overall, it is a cute book with a fun story and good illustrations. Would I recommend it? Certainly, as long as someone explains the purpose of the book.

(Please Note: Although a copy of the book was provided to me by B& H and Lifeway, the opinions expressed are my own.)

[Karl Dumas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone wants to belong; every child wants a playmate, but sometimes it seems like nobody cares. And that’s where Doug the Slug is. One day he finds a wagon, but pulling an empty wagon isn’t much fun. So where does he find a friend? What he finds is that sometimes you have to be a friend if you want to have a friend.
Who Will Play with Me? (a Slugs & Bugs Story) (B&H Kids, 2019) by Randall Goodgame with illustrations by Cory Jones is a delightful story about how friends can learn to make things work by putting others first.
Product details on an on-line site suggest that this book is for 4-8 years old, or preschool through 3rd grade. I think I would offer this as appropriate for 3-6 years, or pre-K through 1st grade.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher with the expectation that I would post an honest review.
4/5

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! When I read it for the first time to my girls, it reminded me of a Dr. Seuss book. It was written in a rhyming type style and it was very catchy. My girls thoroughly enjoyed it and the message of the book is one that I want my girls to learn. The message of the book centered around the verse Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Doug the Slug learned that you have to be a friend if you want to have a friend.

Hardback - I received a review copy of this book from B&H Bloggers for the purpose of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good for small kids like up to 4 year old I think. You may find it helpful to talk about friendship and how we are different from each other and that makes friendship special because each one of us brings something different to the table and we may use it to bless others.