Kirkus Reviews QR Code
LITTLE BUGGY RUNS AWAY by Kevin O'Malley

LITTLE BUGGY RUNS AWAY

by Kevin O'Malley & illustrated by Kevin O'Malley

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 2003
ISBN: 0-15-216550-9
Publisher: Gulliver/Harcourt

O’Malley sends all the right signals as he also sends the ladybug star of Little Buggy (2002) stomping off in a huff after an argument with Big Buggy. Little Buggy never says a word, but not only does his expressive face capture his mix of anger and anxiety, he’s squired by two talkative ants who articulate the ins and outs of running away, from, “We saw Big Buggy. He says he misses you,” to “Are you really going to stay out here all by yourself?” Even very young children will get the message, as night falls over O’Malley’s ground-level garden scenes, and the point of view recedes in a wordless spread to show Little Buggy wide-eyed and alone. But look, here comes Big Buggy to say, “How was your day? Mine was terrible. I had a fight with someone I love.” Quarrel forgotten, the two are last seen heading home together. Despite, or perhaps because of, its indirect approach, the episode will give children considering similar flights a good chance for second thoughts. (Picture book. 4-6)