Burt the Beetle Lives Here!

Burt the Beetle #2

by Ashley Spires

Everyone’s favorite june beetle learns about the many different places insects call home, in this charming graphic novel from Ashley Spires. Burt the Beetle wants to find the perfect home to settle down in. But what might that look like for a june beetle? He’s impressed as he checks out the amazing homes his insect friends have built for themselves — the chrysalis of a monarch caterpillar, the underground tunnels of the yellow meadow ants, the wax hive of the bees. Only none of these wonderful homes seem to quite suit Burt’s size, his building skills — or his sticky legs! Burt is starting to get discouraged. But then a rainstorm sends him scurrying for cover under a leaf. And Burt finally begins to understand what home feels like for him ! Bestselling author and illustrator Ashley Spires brings her beloved wit and wisdom to this playful graphic novel that celebrates the true meaning of home — and the amazing world of insect life! With its engaging blend of fact and fiction, offered up with loads of hilarity, it’s sure to keep readers laughing and learning. Burt is a sweet, endearing character whose kindness and unrelentingly positive attitude provide character education lessons on initiative, resilience and perseverance. Part of the Burt the Beetle series, this book is a perfect pick for emerging readers and young fans of comics. It’s also a terrific, easy-to-digest resource for life science lessons on insects and their habitats and homes.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals, Picture Books, Humor, Comics

64 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

Ashley has written and illustrated many books, most notably the bestselling The Most Magnificent Thing, which is now a short animated film. She creates books that remind kids that making mistakes is integral to learning. She lives in British Columbia with her dog and a growing army of felines.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for my toddler's bedtime. An excellent book to learn about different bugs and how they built their homes. Pretty neat to learn that bugs can live everywhere, cold weather, on top of the mountain, deep underground, in dog's hair, etc. I took the opportunity to teach my toddler about taking bath and washing our hair so we can prevent lice living on our heads!! But seriously, this book talks about cathedral termites and their homes, honeybees and their amazing hexagons, carpenter ants and their neighborhood, wasps and their variety of nests designs, leaf cutter ants and their animal society homes! Then there's Burt, a ten-lined June beetle, who doesn't have a home and in search for a home. He traveled around exploring all of his friends aka other bugs' homes to see if he could share their space only to find some doesn't fit him or some doesn't offer him the view of the porch light like he wants. A fun read with great facts for young minds.

I also loved the illustrations. Some were funny.

Thank you Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review!

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.


I just couldn’t resist this fun looking book when I saw it on Netgalley. I am not a big insect fan myself, but I also cannot resist reading about them. And this one looked cute and fun~

In this book we find out all about insects. From how they love cold, but some love hot. Some live in high places and some live in deep deep underground places. We learn about houses (ladybugs sleep in pinecones). Throughout the facts we follow a beetle named Burt. He is thinking about finding his own place. His sweet home. With a porchlight if that is possible (he loves that). We see him visit all his friends and neighbours and get invited inside. Sometimes it works out and he can say hi, other times.. well he gets stuck. XD Sometimes he just finds it disgusting (and I was fully agreeing with him). I really loved the blend of story and facts. Learning something new and root for the MC to find a home! I have to say I was a bit worried he may never find a home, but thankfully the ending was a very sweet and happy one and he even helped his friends.

I really liked the art style and how the bugs were drawn. Normally I am noping out quite a lot while reading books about insects, and while I did it a few times, it was less. Because it was mostly just cute and fun.

All in all, I had oodles of fun reading this one and I loved that there is an overarching story of our MC beetle to find a home! Recommended~

Review first posted https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do feel that this sequel is better than the first one when it comes to the illustrations and more realistic information regarding bugs and their natural habitat.

I find the writing/the information given is more accurate, their issues when I’m the weather changes whether natural or man made, how they save themselves from the predators and so forth.

I find the illustrations really easy to the eyes and much informative.

Hope the series continues.

Thank you, Kids Can Press, for the advance reading copy.

[˗ˋˏ mckenna ˎˊ˗ · Rating 5 out of 5]

burt is a fun little dude and i appreciate that about him (even though bugs are scary)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally like anything Spires does, as I have been a huge fan of Binky since he first made his appearance in a book. Burt is also a highly likeable character, and this book does a lot to share information about insects and insect science in an entertaining way that adults and kids would enjoy. I liked that this book not only taught from start to finish about the intricacies of bug life, but it also took some time at the end to share interesting facts about some of the insects featured in the story in a bit more detail. Things that you would read in a believe it or not type book.

The artwork is fun and flows well, without anything really getting confusing or confused. I love the Burt is friends with all of the insects and that he takes them under his leaf.

Fun story for an early reader or to be read aloud together. It may be good to read up a bit about the insects featured before reading it together so that a parent can be ready to answer follow up questions or to engage by looking things up (online). Because I suspect a young kid would have questions about some of the neat things shared in the book, even beyond what is provided at the end.

* I received an ARC via NetGalley.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Burt's used to sheltering under leaves, but when he sees the cool homes other insects create, he sets out to find the perfect one for himself. Will he find shelter in time?

An engaging story that works in interesting nonfiction information. Learn about why insects need homes in the first place and about the various materials they use to make their homes including spittlebug foam, caterpillar silk, dirt, and wood.

At the end is a section that goes into more detail about different insects and their homes.

Such a fun read. I loved the blend of humor and real-life facts. I didn't realize this was a series when I picked it up at the library. May just have to go back and find the first one.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning about where other insects live, Burt the Beetle is trying to find the perfect home for him.

Such a creative way to teach kids about insect habitats! Burt makes things funny and engaging, especially the emotive expressions Spires gives him in the illustrations. Is this fiction or nonfiction? That is up for debate, and I could see shelving it in either. Our first Burt the Beetle is in fiction since it is more of a story, so I'll put this there too. A great addition to insect units or animal homes units for lower grades, as well as an engaging just for fun read for lower grades.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: The bugs are bugs, but bugs from a variety of locations around Earth are highlighted.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Predators chasing bugs are shown, but none are caught.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely follow-up to Burt the Beetle Doesn't Bite!--a fun and engaging nonfiction book for children that celebrates the insect and critter world. In the first book we learn about a range of critters and in this one we are more focused on insect habitats. The graphic novel style and humor is a great way to engage young readers but there really is rich learning to be had as well. Kids will learn about cathedral termites, weaver ants, wasps, stink bugs, earwigs and so many more. Looking forward to more in this series.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Kids Can Press. Opinions are my own.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Two in this series looks at all the diverse insect homes, from wasps nests to termite mounds, and so on – while slowly evolving (devolving?) into the story of one June bug struggling to work out what kind of shelter he should be using. Once again we get a kind of educational side of things as well as the lively narration, but once again I was left short – the talk of the bugs being sticky not really being explained enough for someone outside the US, where the critters and the audience for this both exclusively live. Three and a half stars for the range of beetles looked at, and the young-reading humour of it all.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. Burt the Beetle combines fiction and nonfiction in a fun way. The series reminds me of the Magic School Bus only with a lower reading level. The graphic format is popular with young readers. This book has Burt looking for a place to live. He checks with many insects and he learns how they make their homes while learning he can’t move in with them. The caterpillar web isn’t strong enough for him. He isn’t able to make silk for stitching. And the spittlebug house is just gross.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burt is a ten-lined June beetle and he needs to find a home. He has all sorts of insect friends, and as he visits their homes, he gets to see how they live. Can he live like them? What kind of home should he have? After so many visits, nothing really fits. Will Burt ever find a home?

This is chock full of information on what various insects live in as their homes. It's a graphic novel, and there's all sorts of humor throughout which made this book fun to read even for a non-insect lover like me. Highly recommend to budding insect lovers or just kids who enjoy a graphic novel.

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book! I had no idea bugs can be so beautiful and that a book about bugs could be so much fun!
It is 70 pages of bugs bugs bugs. The drawings are beautiful, and the text is just right for a kid to keep them interested and entertained at the same time. I loved that there are real bug facts, and the way it is written, it makes the child want to know more and ask questions to find out more. Also, some of the text is hilarious!

[Kris Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am starting to really love Kids Can Press! This book is fantastic!! Would make a great cartoon too! Such a cute story about June Beetle that cannot find a home and goes exploring all of the other insects’ homes around him. Excellent way to teach facts in a fun and easily remembered manner. Also has some really sweet humor that made me giggle a couple of times. I read this to my kids and they LOVED it. Absolutely recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley!

[Joy Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ashley Spires is a favourite author at my household as my daughter loved Binky series, The Magnificent Idea and the previous Burt the Beetle book.

The artwork is simple but captivating for children, and the story sweet, funny, and informative. Along with my daughter, I learnt a lot about insects.

We both loved this book.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun non-fiction graphic novel for the earliest chapter book leaders. In it, we follow Bert the beetle as he tries to find a home. On his journey, we learned about various other insects, and what their homes look like and how they come about. This was a lovely, and that many kids will find interesting.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

That was so incredibly cute AND informative. This nonfiction (kinda... the bugs do talk...) graphic novel shares lots of information about insects and their homes in a way that easy to understand and engaging. I haven't read the first book in this series but I just requested it from the library.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This falls in the "Infotainment" category. Lots of information about insect homes humorously presented, but it isn't quite a true nonfiction because it has the bugs talking to each other, taking bubble baths, and carrying suitcases, etc. Not too much text, making this suitable for students just getting into chapter books.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I could just see my childhood self absolutely adoring. Burt the Beetle explores a variety of different insect habitats in this junior comic--combining fun facts, humor, and cute characters. Great fun for budding naturalists and comics fans.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Burt the Beetle book! My kids love these and laugh out loud when they read them. Then they read them again!

I love the part where you learn that spittlebugs live in foam which they make themselves. The spittle bug says, "I made this with my bum! Want a tour?"

Ha ha ha ha

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burt the June Beetle has decided it's time for him to find a home for himself to settle down in. In his quest for a comfortable home, he discovers and shares with the reader many different insects and bugs and their living spaces. A fun and informative read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed at this one more than my second grade students, but overall all of us enjoyed it. There is a sweet message about friendship/helping others. More "bum" insects and dung- always a hit with the littles!

[Arthur Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit sad at the start because he couldn’t find a home for himself but at the end it was really happy because he could find a home for himself and it was a leaf. Just a little leaf. The ending picture all the insects were hugging under his leaf. 😔😊

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

1-3 grade
Super fun graphic novel providing info. Great format.

Kids Can Press

[Desirée Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorably informative, with a wonderful assortment of humor.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and informative

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic early independent reader and fun story.

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Burt the Beetle. He is peak millennial humour and delightfully informative about the lives of bugs.

Can do no wrong. 5/5 stars.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

More non-fictiony than I was expecting. This children's graphic novel is all about insect and their homes, presented in a conversational way.

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burt the Beetle is looking for a new home in this informative children's book, and along the way, the reader learns about different bug habitats.