Bug Boys: Adventures and Daydreams:

Bug Boys #3

by Laura Knetzger

When two bug friends leave their small hometown, they realize there's a lot to learn about the outside world and themselves! This middle grade graphic novel series returns filled with friendship and adventure!

These two best friends are ready to explore beyond Bug Village and also, try new things together. Between sleepovers, and a cooking contest, these beetles have their hands full of exciting activities! Though they might save the haunted house adventure for last. . . .
 
Bug Boys return with all-new stories about our favorite bug pals. This amazing book filled with adventure, exploring new feelings, and continuing on the friendship journey with Stag-B and Rhino-B with all-new stories in this continuing series.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Childrens, Comics, Animals, Fantasy, Adventure

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2022

About the author

Laura Knetzger graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2012. She has worked as a storyboard artist for Adventure Time. She lives in Seattle and makes comics about feelings.

Reviews

[Spencer Orey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kid read the whole book twice in a row. Then said it’s the best one yet and started it again.

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The world must turn over…and so must we. I’m glad we’re turning together.”

[V. M. Brewster · Rating 3 out of 5]

• "Our world got a lot bigger today. And it's a nice feeling." •

🪲🕷🪱

Niedlich, farbenfroh und witzig. "Bug Boys" ist zwar kurzlebig, aber macht Spaß zu lesen. Besonders die innige Freundschaft zwischen Rhino-B und Stag-B sowie das Worldbuilding der verschiedenen Insekten-Städte sind toll umgesetzt.

3,5 Sterne.

[D.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love this series. It’s so much fun, and the bug lore/worldbuilding is beautiful. Aww, and that love poem! My heart smiled.

I enjoyed the stories about oral storytelling and folklore and how it changes with each person or how it can expand your horizons to see how others live. We even have a dash of existentialism crisis as continued from the last volume.

The humor is fun and quirky and not meanspirited. The art style and color palette is pleasing to the eyes, and Rhino-b and Stag-b are very likable. Their friendship is so earnest.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful installment of the Bug Boys. A series I highly recommend to parents because not only are these two best friends wholesome, curious, and sweet, their adventures are super fun and enjoyable enough for you to pick them up when your kids put them down.

I especially enjoyed "The Coastal Trip," a story in which our friends meet a whole host of new bugs they never knew existed and every experience fills them with awe and wonder; "Cicada," equal parts because we witnessed a massive 17 year bloom this summer and because they approach a completely different lifestyle with reverence and respect; and "The Mountain Journey," because they struggle and push and learn that we all have our own strengths and that each one of those together makes our communities stronger.

I hope there are more or will be, because this series is delightful.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bug Boys, my beloved. I cannot get enough of these books and each one is a delight to read. I just want the friendship these two beetles have. And Dome Spider! Iconic, queen, librarian role-model. This volume contained lines that had me tearing up (like "even if they didn't [end up together] -- to love someone that much is never a tragedy") followed not 15 pages later by one of the characters getting disqualified from The Great Bugville Bake Off by making a dish made up of a little of all the other contestant's dishes, because community. Can a rhinoceros beetle be a himbo? These boys are absolutely pure-of-heart and dumb-of-ass and I love them for it.

[Olivia U. ☺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely my favorite so far. The art is so cute and the stories are creative, charming, and delightful. Stag B and Rhino B 4ever!!

[Penny Geard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these bugs. I wish Rhino-B and Stag-B would send me weekly updates about their adventures so I never had to be without them. Wholesome good times.

[kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

i didn’t like this as much as the first two but i can’t in good conscience give this less than a 5 i loved it i love these characters!!! this time didn’t feel as deep necessarily, the cooking competition episode seemed a lil cliche and weird. and i mean who just gets disqualified like that bc their food isn’t good? wouldn’t the judges be like “errr okay thanks!” but no instead they’re like “hmm… disqualified!! your food is bad!!” to the point of where i was like wait what!! and for these two absolute bug besties for life to not ORIGINALLY consider working together in the competition is ridiculous that was just uncharacteristic of them. i liked the content still - baking bread really saved it at the end. i love the characters and their adventures and friends and trials. but i’ll be honest the colors pictures and subject content are the driving force for such high rating - this time the stories could’ve done a lil deeper, i know it’s kids books but it seems like it’s just skimming the surface of the complexities of their characters. or making im just looking too hard into it idk. read it for yourself to decide if you agree with me or not, it’s too quick and cute not to

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite of the series yet! A little philosophical, a little silly, a lot tender and imaginative. These feel a little like Frog and Toad Are Friends for the 21st century, and I am so glad we have this kind of emotionally complex story marketed to boys right now.

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book! I think that this book had the best detail and I realy enjoyed looking at the pictures since they were to stuning! I was like "How on earth did somebody draw this Awsome picture!" and I enjoyed the book over all!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!! Simply can’t get enough ❤️

[jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

idk what else to say!! i love this series so much and if you're not reading it then what are u waiting for!!!

[olive parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

these books are amazing. so funny and clever and just a joy to read. they're about the wonders of the community of people you live in, the natural world, and the world beyond the one you might be most familiar with! and about learning who you are and how you want to live your life, and the beautiful unique-ness of everyone you know! but also just fun adventures! i love them. great for ages 7-11 or anyone, ever

[rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i do give this five full stars it was such a pleasant read. best story is where they go to the city in the bubble <3 5/5 for bug boys thank u ms knetzger!!

[Shane Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

i can’t wait to eventually own all of these and read them with my little cousins/my own kids one day 🥹

[Catherine]

I love this series like no other the way I SMILE AND LAUGH AND KICK MY FEET CONSTANTLY

[Fanabana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope there will be more in this series!

[julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

bawling over “love letter” and cracking up over “the cooking competition” … bug boys has the range

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story and much deeper than the other two.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It might seem unlikely that two beetles--Rhino-B and Stag-B--could be the protagonists in a graphic novel series with colorful panels and interesting secondary characters. But in this, the third installment in the series, they somehow creep into readers' hearts with their adventures and friendship as well as some insights into fears and behavior that are relatable to humans. The two friends have sleepovers and learn about the oral tradition of storytelling, visit an underwater world, compete in a cooking contest, and meet a cicada that has been sleeping underground for many years. They also hike across mountainous terrains and camp out while realizing that friends don't have to have everything in common and that life's moments ebb and flow with moments of excitement followed by moments of stillness. These are the two most philosophical and wisest beetles readers will ever meet. Plus, they'll learn quite a bit about various species and behavior along the way. Although their story won't be for everyone, it will appeal to those in search of something a bit out of the ordinary or those who enjoy science and interesting living things.

[Delaney Hasselbring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is literally a children’s comic about bugs why is it THIS good!?

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realize this was number three in the series, but still really enjoyed it.

There were SO many things that I really liked about this book. Not only were the characters completely loveable and adorable, they were also inquisitive and super wholesome.

Something that made me love this book in general is that the author took the time to touch on factual information mixed in with adorable stories, like how yeast works, but also...bread is magic.

Really enjoyable, I may have to pop back and read the first two books.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Bug Boys" is a wholesome series, and I will probably read any other physical volumes that arrive at my library. I appreciate that the entire book is printed in full color, and I like the way that the artist draws plants, putting such love and care into the naturescapes and backgrounds that the look of the graphic novels feel as important as (or even more important than) the plotlines that make up the story. I could imagine this series as an animated show one day and hope that the author finds success and inspiration to keep drawing and telling her stories.

[elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’M CRYING 😭 i tried to savor this book because i LOVE the bug boys series but it was just too good to wait. this series got me back into reading, which created a domino effect of taking care of myself and writing again. i’m so grateful for this series. i hope this isn’t the last book!!! please don’t let it be the last book… 🥲🥹

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bug Boys broaden their horizons in this story, where they do some traveling and learn about how some other bugs live--in and around the water, and even underground. This installment seems to be a bit of a mix of the first two graphic novels--some big ideas and concepts, but mostly still a fun fantasy world for young readers.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been incredible and has helped me through some tough times. It is deeply comforting and reassuring, like a warm hug or kind words from someone you love and trust. This series means a lot to me, and I am deeply grateful to the author for having created this series. I only wish there was more.

[Lizzieb123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. These little stories are so profound and comfy that I never want to leave. They constantly ask questions about what it is to be alive and how we can be better for ourselves and others and it’s just so precious. These stories fill me with hope and remind me of how wonderful life is. I cry at least once in each volume. Amazing!!

[Molly Lazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children and I enjoyed this latest volume of BUG BOYS. The series is really sweet, though this volume didn't deal as much with mental health and children's existential questions as the previous one did. The art is simple but very pleasant to look at and engage with, and the stories in this volume were easy to follow. I enjoyed the continued expansion of Stag B and Rhino B's supporting cast.

[Ms. Garr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and surprising book! It’s a series of loosely connected, lighthearted stories that contain a bit of nonfiction and surprisingly deep philosophy…all accompanied by the most adorable illustrations. I enjoyed it- and respected the craft of pulling all of these elements together in a book for kids. Recommended.