Busy Buzzing Bumblebees & Other Tongue Twisters

Anna Mertz helps an orphaned black rhinoceros named Samia prepare for life in a sanctuary. How Anna and Samia became best friends forever is told with verve and humor, complemented by engaging, stylized illustrations. An afterword with information about Anna, Samia, and rhinos as well as additional resources is included. 

Spooky, traditional tales retold are presented again with new and mysterious illustrations (reminiscent of Edward Gorey). These stories, drawn from folklore, successfully create a deliciously eerie feeling while remaining perfectly safe. Sources for the tales are included in an afterward by the reteller. 

The narrator was born on May 17th, a “sunny spring day!” On May 19th, she ate lots of aphids but on June 2nd ate one of two brothers. The life of the praying mantis begins in spring, ends in October, with its own description of life in between. Inviting illustrations illuminate the understated text. Endpages fill in information about a praying mantis’ life cycle.

Short, readable entries each with a date, chronicle the first year of a bluebird as told by the newly hatched narrator. Information about bluebirds’ range appears on front endpapers while a glossary is placed on back endpapers. Dramatic illustrations show the dangers faced by the young bluebirds until the following June when A. Bluebird shows off the “my beautiful chicks!”

This collection of folktales and scary stories has been a favorite of fright-loving kids for more than 20 years. These stories with creepy illustrations will be familiar to most adults who attended slumber parties, camping trips, and Halloween hayrides in their youth.