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The Bug Girl: A True Story
Real-life 7-year-old Sophia Spencer was bullied for loving bugs until hundreds of women scientists rallied around her. Now Sophie tells her story in this picture book that celebrates women in science, bugs of all kinds, and the importance of staying true to yourself.
Sophia Spencer has loved bugs ever since a butterfly landed on her shoulder--and wouldn't leave--at a butterfly conservancy when she was only two-and-a-half years old. In preschool and kindergarten, Sophia was thrilled to share what she knew about grasshoppers (her very favorite insects), as well as ants and fireflies... but by first grade, not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Some students bullied her, and Sophia stopped talking about bugs altogether. When Sophia's mother wrote to an entomological society looking for a bug scientist to be a pen pal for her daughter, she and Sophie were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response--letters, photos, and videos came flooding in. Using the hashtag BugsR4Girls, scientists tweeted hundreds of times to tell Sophia to keep up her interest in bugs--and it worked! Sophia has since appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and NPR, and she continues to share her love of bugs with others.
Sophia Spencer has loved bugs ever since a butterfly landed on her shoulder--and wouldn't leave--at a butterfly conservancy when she was only two-and-a-half years old. In preschool and kindergarten, Sophia was thrilled to share what she knew about grasshoppers (her very favorite insects), as well as ants and fireflies... but by first grade, not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Some students bullied her, and Sophia stopped talking about bugs altogether. When Sophia's mother wrote to an entomological society looking for a bug scientist to be a pen pal for her daughter, she and Sophie were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response--letters, photos, and videos came flooding in. Using the hashtag BugsR4Girls, scientists tweeted hundreds of times to tell Sophia to keep up her interest in bugs--and it worked! Sophia has since appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and NPR, and she continues to share her love of bugs with others.
44 pages, Hardcover
Published February 11, 2020
6 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Spencer
1 book2 followersSophia Spencer is in the fourth grade and aspires to be an entomologist (among other things) when she grows up. Her love for the insect world has led her to appear on Good Morning America and to be featured on NPR. Sophia continues to spread her enthusiasm for bugs however she can. She also loves climbing trees and doing gymnastics. The Magic Tree House is currently her favorite book series. She lives with her mom in Canada.
Her passion for bugs and her story inspired the #BugsR4Girls movement on social media.
Her passion for bugs and her story inspired the #BugsR4Girls movement on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
April 2, 2020
This is very cool. I haven’t heard of Sophia Spencer, but it appears she is still a child, a child who loves bugs. She was getting a lot of children calling her weird for her obsession with insects and her mom contacted Entomologist to encourage her daughter and this became a story.
There are plenty of Bug facts and it’s great for any kid who enjoys anthropods (insects). When she was a young pre-school child, the kids thought her facts were cool and when she hit 1st grade, her peers thought she was weird and creepy and she got depressed.
The weirdest bug in here, that I didn’t really know is the Brazilian treehoppers and their decorative ornaments on their backs.
The artwork is watercolor, and honestly, I did not resonate with the art. It did not help the story, but others might love it.
I did read this to my nephew. He thought the story was pretty cool. He still loves the roly polies. He is very quirky himself, see his current Michael Jackson craze. Recently he found a MJ doll on Etsy and put a bid on it and lost. He was very disappointed. He was willing to spend 26$ of his money on it. Here’s my nephew modus operandi, he finds something he loves, like Huey, Louis and Dewey, he tracks down the toy, which can take months. He gets the toy, enjoys it for maybe a month, then he is off to the next thing. Anyway. He gave this story 4 stars. He thought the bugs were sort of a cool gross and wants to find them this spring.
There are plenty of Bug facts and it’s great for any kid who enjoys anthropods (insects). When she was a young pre-school child, the kids thought her facts were cool and when she hit 1st grade, her peers thought she was weird and creepy and she got depressed.
The weirdest bug in here, that I didn’t really know is the Brazilian treehoppers and their decorative ornaments on their backs.
The artwork is watercolor, and honestly, I did not resonate with the art. It did not help the story, but others might love it.
I did read this to my nephew. He thought the story was pretty cool. He still loves the roly polies. He is very quirky himself, see his current Michael Jackson craze. Recently he found a MJ doll on Etsy and put a bid on it and lost. He was very disappointed. He was willing to spend 26$ of his money on it. Here’s my nephew modus operandi, he finds something he loves, like Huey, Louis and Dewey, he tracks down the toy, which can take months. He gets the toy, enjoys it for maybe a month, then he is off to the next thing. Anyway. He gave this story 4 stars. He thought the bugs were sort of a cool gross and wants to find them this spring.
September 18, 2020
I absolutely do find that there is indeed oh so very much to both enjoy and appreciate about The Bug Girl: A True Story that I really wish I could be rating this 2020 non-fiction picture book with more than just three stars. For the premise of The Bug Girl: A True Story and how young Sophia Spencer (with cowriter Margaret McNamara's help) so eloquently tells her personal and totally true story is certainly very much delightful (and yes, even with some parts of The Bug Girl: A True Story also being a tad frustrating and painful), how Sophia lets her readers not only know in no uncertain terms that she is truly a total bug girl, how much insects of all kinds have intensely interested her since her toddlerhood, but also how she, how Sophia almost decided to give up on her love for arthropods altogether due to some nasty instances of schoolyard bullying, and most happily, how her mother (her single mother) then prevented this by sending an email to a group of entomologists (who promptly wrote back to reassure Sophia that there is absolutely nothing at all strange and uncanny about liking and being fascinated by insects, by bugs etc.), and of course not to mention that Kerascoët's accompanying artwork is equally an aesthetic wonder, a truly marvellous visual feast of both realism and imagination and with a presented colour scheme that always works and is never sensually grating or off.
However, there are also a few minor but frustratingly so academic issues that I for one have found with The Bug Girl: A True Story and which I do tend to consider problematic enough to remove two stars. For one, I have always been taught that while all bugs are insects, not all insects should be labeled as being bugs. And well, butterflies (and The Bug Girl: A True Story starts with a butterfly) are actually of the order Lepidoptera and true bugs are of the order Hemiptera. And thus, in my humble opinion, Sophia Spencer really should not be calling the butterfly which sparked her interest in insects a bug, but rather an arthropod (or just an insect) and perhaps a better title for this book should actually not be The Bug Girl but a title showing that Sophia is an insect, an arthropod fanatic (and not just label all insects as being bugs, as that is obviously not really all that scientifically correct and sound). And for two and a bit more annoyingly for me, although the supplemental information on insects at the back of The Bug Girl: A True Story is both fascinating and enlightening, that there is no included bibliography, that there are no book titles or websites mentioned for further reading and study, for me, this indeed poses a very much annoying and frustrating intellectual shortcoming and something that I also do think rather lessens the teaching, learning and research value of The Bug Girl: A True Story.
However, there are also a few minor but frustratingly so academic issues that I for one have found with The Bug Girl: A True Story and which I do tend to consider problematic enough to remove two stars. For one, I have always been taught that while all bugs are insects, not all insects should be labeled as being bugs. And well, butterflies (and The Bug Girl: A True Story starts with a butterfly) are actually of the order Lepidoptera and true bugs are of the order Hemiptera. And thus, in my humble opinion, Sophia Spencer really should not be calling the butterfly which sparked her interest in insects a bug, but rather an arthropod (or just an insect) and perhaps a better title for this book should actually not be The Bug Girl but a title showing that Sophia is an insect, an arthropod fanatic (and not just label all insects as being bugs, as that is obviously not really all that scientifically correct and sound). And for two and a bit more annoyingly for me, although the supplemental information on insects at the back of The Bug Girl: A True Story is both fascinating and enlightening, that there is no included bibliography, that there are no book titles or websites mentioned for further reading and study, for me, this indeed poses a very much annoying and frustrating intellectual shortcoming and something that I also do think rather lessens the teaching, learning and research value of The Bug Girl: A True Story.
May 8, 2021
“Момиче Буболече” е истинската история на София Спенсър. Посланието на книгата е много важно за мен като родител. В 1 клас навлизаме във фазата, в която е все по-трудно да бъдеш себе си - напълно и изцяло. Срама се появява, желанието да си част от групата, да те харесват, да не ти се подиграват... и е много лесно да загубиш себе си. Дъщеря ми дори за дребни неща се влияе и за мен като родител е безкрайно важно да и покажа, че е важно да бъдеш себе си, независимо от другите. Трудно е, много! А е само началото.
София е момиченце, което много харесва насекоми и всякакви буболечки. Докато не тръгва в 1 клас и подигравките на съучениците и я карат да “захвърли” любовта към буболечките... Докато всичко не се променя с едно писмо до група ентомолози, изпратено от майка и...
Книга като тази са много важни и страшно полезни за мен като родител. Илюстрациите на КЕРАСКОЕТ (съпруг и съпруга илюстратори) са вълшебни и допълват историята по прекрасен начин.
София е момиченце, което много харесва насекоми и всякакви буболечки. Докато не тръгва в 1 клас и подигравките на съучениците и я карат да “захвърли” любовта към буболечките... Докато всичко не се променя с едно писмо до група ентомолози, изпратено от майка и...
Книга като тази са много важни и страшно полезни за мен като родител. Илюстрациите на КЕРАСКОЕТ (съпруг и съпруга илюстратори) са вълшебни и допълват историята по прекрасен начин.
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December 29, 2020Сетих се, че в пети клас имахме един тип, който беше много зарибен по гълъби, и всички го имахме за странен. И ми стана мъчно. Чудесна книга.
April 10, 2021
София Спенсър е различна, защото харесва буболечки и всички и се подиграват. Тя обаче не се променя заради другите и преследва мечтата си.
September 24, 2020
The Bug Girl is a wonderful (true) story of a young girl who follows her passion, even if the other kids her age don't understand it.
Sophia loved bugs from an early age. And the other kids thought that was cool... up until first grade. And then she was bullied for her interest. (Kids get mean earlier and earlier, it seems.) Hating to see her daughter so sad, Sophia's mom reached out to entomologists for support. And support they got! Sophia was inspired to allow herself to keep loving bugs and exploring the world of insects.
The story is lovely and the illustrations, done by husband-and-wife team Kerascoët, complement the text perfectly. There's also an informative (but easy-to-read) section at the back where Sophia shares facts about some of her favourite bugs.
This would be an excellent title for other budding entomologists, as well as for readers looking for books about bullying with an ultimately uplifting message.
Quotable moment:
Sophia loved bugs from an early age. And the other kids thought that was cool... up until first grade. And then she was bullied for her interest. (Kids get mean earlier and earlier, it seems.) Hating to see her daughter so sad, Sophia's mom reached out to entomologists for support. And support they got! Sophia was inspired to allow herself to keep loving bugs and exploring the world of insects.
The story is lovely and the illustrations, done by husband-and-wife team Kerascoët, complement the text perfectly. There's also an informative (but easy-to-read) section at the back where Sophia shares facts about some of her favourite bugs.
This would be an excellent title for other budding entomologists, as well as for readers looking for books about bullying with an ultimately uplifting message.
Quotable moment:
April 23, 2022
What a rocking mom to solve her daughter’s problem in the way she did. It’s how I’ve always parented too. Loved this book so much!
April 19, 2020
I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for a review here and on my blog Samwise Reviews. I loved this. It was a really touching story of a young girl who was bullied for her interests, and with the support of other scientists, persevered. Sophia seems like the kind of girl that many other children will be able to relate to and draw support from. I love the idea of the #BugsR4Girls community and encouraging #WomenInScience. The artwork was also beautiful and I especially liked all the watercolor plants. Kerascoët also illustrated Malala's Magic Pencil, which is also a fantastic book. The last few pages of this book are filled with bug facts that are well presented and laid out for any age of reader. Definitely a hit and a great addition to any library. I am also able to use it for the "Written by More Than One Author" part of my 2020 reading challenge.
August 27, 2021
I made it through reading this to my bug loving five year old without crying....barely. Spectacular. Special. Got it from the library, but I think I'll have to buy a copy.
April 29, 2021
I should preface this review with the fact that I am the perfect adult audience for this book: I was a "bug girl" for most of my childhood. I played with spiders and woodlice and honeybees and worms every day. When asked what I wanted for my eighth birthday, I could think of nothing more wonderful than a chance to hold a living tarantula (which seemed perfectly normal to me, and which my obliging parents arranged through the local natural history museum). I took home gold medals in the insect category of the Science Olympiad several years; I seriously considered becoming an arachnologist as a kid. I loved--and still love--bugs.
So this book hit me right in the "I feel seen" spot. Sophia's enthusiasm for the world of mini-beasts felt true to my own experience, and her enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge lit up these pages. I can't say that the story itself or the illustrations are in any way ground-breaking, but for me at least, the feeling here rings true and clear.
So this book hit me right in the "I feel seen" spot. Sophia's enthusiasm for the world of mini-beasts felt true to my own experience, and her enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge lit up these pages. I can't say that the story itself or the illustrations are in any way ground-breaking, but for me at least, the feeling here rings true and clear.
May 4, 2020
This is a cute book. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and there are many interesting facts about bugs, so kids reading this will learn a lot.
The one dislike that I have of the books is how big it is. It's big to me, even as an adult, so it might seem giant to a small child reading this.
I actually didn't realize that this was written by a child until I got to the end of it, so I have to say it's a nice story for being written by a 9 year old.
*I won a free copy of this book via Librarything*
The one dislike that I have of the books is how big it is. It's big to me, even as an adult, so it might seem giant to a small child reading this.
I actually didn't realize that this was written by a child until I got to the end of it, so I have to say it's a nice story for being written by a 9 year old.
*I won a free copy of this book via Librarything*
October 18, 2019
A beautiful book written by the narrator herself, The Bug Girl! Sophia has loved bugs dearly ever since her mother took her to a butterfly conservatory. Her peers at school don't understand her fascination, and she wonders if she should give up her love for insects... until the letters and videos flow in from encouraging women of science, telling her to follow her passion! There's a lot to adore in this book, and those are only a few points!
March 8, 2020
I loved this book about following your dreams even if people think you are different.
October 5, 2020
Искате ли да видите еталон за истински добра съвременна детска книга? Искате ли да прочетете на себе си и на децата си една смислена, силна, емоционална, образователна, ненатрапчиво поучителна и завладяващо красива история, при това истинска? Тогава намерете си бързо едно кепче за пеперуди и се опитайте да уловите... „Момиче Буболече”. Разказана от самото момиче Буболече София Спенсър, с помощта на Маргарет Макнамара и илюстрирана от съпружеската двойка художници, известни като Кераскоет, книгата на изд. „Дакелче” е вълшебно и вдъхновяващо преживяване, за което си струва да отделите място в домашната си библиотека. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
March 2, 2020
Sophia's love of insects begins when a blue butterfly at the conservatory lands on her shoulder and keeps coming back to land on her again. It is so fond of her that the security guard has to gently shoo it away before she can go home. This magical experience inspires her; and at first other children are also intrigued by bugs, but as she gets older things change. Now she is the only one who loves bugs and the other children tease her about her passion. She decides not to be interested in them anymore. Saddened, her mother reaches out to the entomological community and an entomologist replies via email and encourages Sophia to persue her interest just as scientists do all over the world. Sophia's life is changed forever.
This is a great story for budding entomologists, but it applies equally well to anyone who is bullied and judge because they are different. The social stigma of anything that is not mainstream is a message almost everyone can relate to and this plucky girl courageously resumes her passion with a little encouragement from the professionals. It is important that this story encourages girls to persue scientific interests and not to be discouraged by what others think. The artwork is lovely and has a freeform flow to the lines and colors that mirror the message of the book--don't feel like you have to stay inside the lines, explore and enjoy the beauty around you. This is a great book to offer during a section on science, insects, spiders, butterflies, bullying, or courage. It's just an all around great book for any reader.
This is a great story for budding entomologists, but it applies equally well to anyone who is bullied and judge because they are different. The social stigma of anything that is not mainstream is a message almost everyone can relate to and this plucky girl courageously resumes her passion with a little encouragement from the professionals. It is important that this story encourages girls to persue scientific interests and not to be discouraged by what others think. The artwork is lovely and has a freeform flow to the lines and colors that mirror the message of the book--don't feel like you have to stay inside the lines, explore and enjoy the beauty around you. This is a great book to offer during a section on science, insects, spiders, butterflies, bullying, or courage. It's just an all around great book for any reader.
February 23, 2020
Beautifully written and illustrated!! A great message for children that it’s ok to be different and love whatever you want! An inspiring true story. Sophia and her mom are amazing! #bugsr4girls
February 28, 2020
The Bug Girl by Sophia Spencer and Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Kerscoet. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK. Schwartz & Wade (Random), February 2020. 9780525645931
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
As kindergarteners, the other kids loved bugs as much as Sophia did. But in the 1st grade the other kids have moved on. When Sophia puts away her bugs, her mother reaches out to professional entomologists to help her see that adults and even female adults also love bug and study them. Besides the attention Sophia got when her situation went viral, Sophia also realized that she can still like bugs – any maybe grow up to study them.
A nice way to start a conversation about the things that kids love and what to do when you don’t like the same things as others. It will be interesting to see if Sophia follows her passion when she heads off to college.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
As kindergarteners, the other kids loved bugs as much as Sophia did. But in the 1st grade the other kids have moved on. When Sophia puts away her bugs, her mother reaches out to professional entomologists to help her see that adults and even female adults also love bug and study them. Besides the attention Sophia got when her situation went viral, Sophia also realized that she can still like bugs – any maybe grow up to study them.
A nice way to start a conversation about the things that kids love and what to do when you don’t like the same things as others. It will be interesting to see if Sophia follows her passion when she heads off to college.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 27, 2020
Margaret McNamara works with Sophia Spencer (a young girl) to tell her true story of being bullied for a passion in learning about insects. When her mother virtually reaches out to bug experts who can connect with her daughter's interest in bugs, the story goes viral. It's a great story to discuss bullying issues while it demonstrates a love of learning. Additional bug facts are included in the final six pages of the book. A great addition to a classroom collection.
August 28, 2019
Heart-warming story about a girl following her passion and curiosity and the people who rallied in support of her.
March 14, 2020
This will be great for Women's History Month as well as our entomology unit. It also serves as a good reminder to be kind. Recommended.
May 22, 2020
Wonder picture book about a girl from a young age begins an attachment to bugs. In kindergarten, no one cares and tell her it’s cool. In 1st grade, she begins to be ostracized by other kids and she ends up to trying to hide her interest. So her mom reaches out to entomologists for advice. I love the illustrations and the author is the girl herself, now in 4th grade. Great read aloud in school.
February 5, 2023
An autobiographical picture book by a fourth grader! Sophia Spencer became famous because she likes bugs. That's it. I'm glad her mom and other adults encourage her. But how is this newsworthy? But I have a daughter who is a bug girl and loves the idea of an autobiographical picture book by a child, so this was a hit in our house.
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November 4, 2021The Bug Girl, by Sophia Spencer, is about a true story of a little girl that has always loved bugs and how being the "bug girl" became a struggle for her as she grew up. Throughout the book, it follows the girl's thoughts and actions as they demonstrate the importance of being proud of something you love. As she moved on into elementary school, she was faced with discrimination and judgment by the other kids in her school, she tried to quit being the "bug girl", her true self. However, her mom finds a way to bring her daughter's passionate and joyful days back by introducing her to other women scientists who also love bugs. Through many encouragements and collaborations with many other scientists (entomologists), the little girl was able to be herself again. Overall, this book taught me the importance of being ourselves and being proud of it.
March 9, 2022
Loved that this is a nonfiction story written by an Elementary-aged child (with help) about her love of bugs. Primary message is it's okay to be unique.
August 28, 2021
Oh my goodness, this was the sweetest book that my boy and I really connected with (my oldest is a bug boy). I loved the illustrations, and I loved that it was based on a true story (and that the Bug Girl is still so young, grade 4, at the time of writing). As a parent, it was hard for me to read that other kids made fun of Sophia for being a bug girl, as I never want my son to feel that way. But I loved reading about how supportive the mom was of her daughter, and it encouraged/reminded me to be that kid of mom too.
February 19, 2020
This picturebook has a great message and lovely watercolor illustrations. For me it was way too text heavy for most situations but could be very good for an independent or one on one reader in 2nd or 3rd grade.
March 31, 2025
Truly inspiring! I love the watercolor illustrations and story. There are some super awesome bug facts in this picture book as well. Entomology has always interested me, so this was a splendid book to read. Beautiful work. Always stay true to yourself was a theme throughout the story which is totally empowering for young people like myself. There is still so much to learn about bugs and arthropods. A bit random, but I also thought that Sophia’s mom is a inspiration to parents everywhere because she is a supportive mom invested with her child’s well being. This book is for the bug girls everywhere! #BUGSR4GIRLS
February 13, 2020
Based on a true story. A young child is fascinated by bugs but feels discouraged when other children begin to make fun of her.
February 5, 2020
Despite the bullying and ridicule of others, a young bug lover follows her passions and finds lots of support from fellow bug lovers.
April 9, 2020
Note: I received an F&G at ALA Midwinter 2020.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews