SOLVED. Boy enters painting and befriends bugs [s]

[Gsarah1]

I got this book from the library years ago. Definitely children's fiction. It was about a boy who was visiting a relative, and in his room was a painting of a meadow. He somehow managed to get into the painting where he found himself to be no taller than a bug. I don't remember the exact adventures he had, but I do remember that he met a bunch of talking insects.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Castle Roogna, a Xanth book has a somewhat similar theme. But it isn't exactly a YA or children's book. Anyway--any chance this could be it?

[Gsarah1]

No. I've done Xanth and I know that's not it. It's definitely more of a children's chapter book. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Gsarah1, are you still looking for this book? How long ago is "years ago?" 5? 10? 30?

[Brittany]

There's a series of Children's chapter books about a boy named Charlie Bone and he and other characters enter paintings. I believe it's mainly Charlie who enters paintings as it's his special ability, but in one book his friend Billy Raven gets stuck in a painting and there he befriends the animals (if I remember correctly, Billy can talk to animals, but I read these a while ago and my memory is hazy on some points)

Anyway, here is a link Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors

[Ayshe]

I know this is abandoned, but I came across Eric in the Land of the Insects and thought it fits.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

After reading reviews I believe this is the correct book. Moving to Solved.

"Then, his grandfather's portrait starts talking and he ends up in a painting above his bed: 'the Wollewei'. He's gotten so small that he is able to talk to the insects who live there."

"A Dutch Classic about nine year old Eric who enters the painting of a meadow on his bedroom wall where he discovers the world of insects."

"This painting hangs above his bed and one night he becomes small enough to step inside the painting.
Special about the painting is the painstakingly painted insects: the wasps, the ants, the worms, the snails and the butterflies. Erik meets them all on his trip.
Some of the insects behave arrogant, some are frivolous and live by the day."

"Nine-year-old Erik discovers one night that after dark all of the paintings in his bedroom come to life. After a hilarious discussion with his deceased grandparents - who show the boy what the advantages are of being painted as a full figure, rather than simply a portrait – Erik has but one wish. To enter Wollewei; a painting above his bed showcasing all kinds of wonderful insects living in the field. Instantly he is able to climb over the frame and, being shrunken down to ant-size, tumbles into a world of very stuck-up wasps, snails running hotels, nihilistic burying beetles and a very aggressive spider."

"One evening in bed Eric, a third grader studying for a test on insects, magically enters grandfather's painting that depicts a meadow filled to the brim with insects. When Erik understands what actually has happened, he decides to start his search for the frame of the painting, so that he can jump back to his room. This quest will get him in contact with a colorful world of friendly and sometimes not so friendly insects. The wasps, bees, butterflies and other critters are all intrigued by that strange creature that calls himself Erik. As he gets invited to their homes, Erik discovers that in the end the difference between man en insect is not that big."