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The Little Squeegy Bug
Written by Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson
Illustrated by Pat Corrigan
Booklist,
9/1/2001
“A little bug meets a big bubblebee, who tells him that he too can get silver wings if he climbs to the sky. The plucky bug climbs the tallest cattail he can find, where he befriends a kind caterpillar. Together they visit a helpful spider, who fits the bug with little silver wings, a bright star-lantern to carry in his tail, and a new name: Squeegy the Firefly. . . . the humble bug's magical transformation will draw in listeners. The smooth and sassy digital artwork by promising newcomer Corrigan is at its best in the bolder, more dynamic pictures. Primary-grade teachers will find this useful for units on bugs.”
School Library Journal,
9/1/2001
“A very old-fashioned story…gets modern yet retro treatment in this snazzy book. A nondescript squeegy bug meets Buzzer the Bumblebee and says, ‘I'd like to be a bumblebee and carry a stinger in my tail, too.' Buzzer tells him he first has to ‘…climb to the sky' to get silver wings. Squeegy climbs to the top of a cattail, meets a helpful caterpillar and, when he meets Haunchy the Spider, gets his wings–and something better than a stinger for his tail... [T]his story has a definite message... It's about nonviolence, persistence, and the importance of having an identity and a purpose. …[It] has the tone of an impromptu bedtime tale told by a clever and loving parent. And the pictures (all produced digitally) are wonderful. Picture Daniel Kirk's ‘Miss Spider' a little cooler, calmer, more surreal, and you get an idea of the look. Children will be fascinated by bits of shiny-colored paper, unusual perspectives, and imaginative details… The publisher has set up a corresponding interactive Web site for this title.”
Kirkus Reviews,
9/1/2001
“In the style of a pourquoi tale, the authors have crafted an explanation about how fireflies came to be. The one-of-a-kind squeegy bug knows he isn't an ant, cricket, or flea. In fact, he doesn't know what to call himself. When he meets Buzzer the Bubblebee, who has a stinger in his tail, the squeegy bug decides he would like to be a bee, too. He follows Buzzer's advice and climbs toward the sky looking for a pair of silver wings like Buzzer's. Caught in a rainstorm at the top of a cattail, he seeks help from the kindly caterpillar. The two travel to Haunchy the spider's castle of webs to ask for a pair of wings, which he shapes from threads spun on his spinning wheel. It is Haunchy who points out that the bug isn't a bumblebee and wasn't meant to have a stinger. He pulls the brightest star from the sky, hangs it on the bug's tail, and christens him Squeegy the Firefly, the Lamplighter of the Sky. . . . In this reissue, Corrigan's illustrations are marvelously detailed, from Haunchy's elaborate turban and king's robe, to the acorn lantern of the top-hat-wearing caterpillar. . . . there will always be an audience for a new Bill Martin Jr., and this one fills the bill.”
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