THE WAGA-LAGA BUGS: WANT TO PLAY ALL DAY
by Andi Chitty ; illustrated by Sandra Attema-Welte
Some fun-loving bugs learn a lesson in responsibility in this picture book.
The Waga-Laga Bugs are a family of three beetles: one larger, blue-green, and roach-like; one pinky-orange and antlered; and one yellow and child-sized with glasses. More than anything, the Waga-Laga Bugs love to play. They try to convince the bees to join them, but they’re too busy preparing for a storm, as are the ants, ladybugs, spider, and caterpillar. All these would-be playmates warn the Waga-Laga Bugs of the approaching danger. A butterfly tells them: “Careful, Waga-Laga Bugs! If all you do is play, / you may not have the things you need when TROUBLE comes your way.” But the Waga-Laga Bugs won’t listen, instead offering a denial whose repeated refrain children will boisterously embrace: “But the Waga-Laga Bugs said, Nah. NO WAY! / We only wanna Waga-Laga, Taga-Laga, PLAY!” This carefree life philosophy gets curtailed by a spectacular, lightning-skewered, two-page “BOOM” when the storm hits. The Waga-Laga Bugs learn their lesson, and they start helping the others when there’s work to be done. Chitty narrates in rhyming couplets whose trochaic heptameter (and occasional octameter) gives the text a chanty, twisty, clap-along momentum. Attema-Welte brings the action to life through lusciously textured, watery, smudgy illustrations that burst with joy and yet embrace the darker end of the rainbow spectrum. A three-page factual addendum supplements the learnings already imparted.
A read-out-loud delight; kids will love this rollicking insect tale.