Buglette, the Messy Sleeper: Bethanie Murguia
February 10, 2012
Book: Buglette, the Messy Sleeper
Author: Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3 and up
Buglette, the Messy Sleeper, by Bethanie Murguia, is about an adorable little bug who has a sleeping problem. Though she settles neatly into her leaf bed each night, she is so active during her dreams that her bed is always a disaster in the morning. Her brothers try to help, but their efforts, combined with Buglette's powerful dreams, almost lead to disaster. Fortunately, Buglette is able to use skills honed during those dreams to save the day.
The overall pattern of this book is predictable, of course. Child laments some personal trait that turns out to be a special strength in the end. But the story itself is so darned cute that I'm willing to forgive a bit of predictability of theme. I mean, what kid could resist Murguia's images of a little bug family reading bedtime stories together on a series of leaves? Or Buglette herself, with purple hat and purple bows atop her antennae?
Buglette's dreams are broadly relatable, as she swings through the air on a trapeze, kicks a soccer ball to the moon, etc. And the details, like her little patched bug stuffed animal and her father shown reading the paper in privacy (grayed out a bit to show that he's in another location), are all fun.
Murguia uses light humor in the text itself, too. Like this:
"The thought of the crow made Spot and Red tremble. That's when they decided to put a lid on Buglette's messy sleeping.
Push. Pull. Hoist. The acorn cap was the perfect fit."
And they literally put a "lid" over their sleeping sister. Or this:
"Mama Bug sighed. "I just don't know how we ended up with a messy sleeper. Must have come from your father's side of the family."
"Are you talking to me, dear?""
Ordinary family dynamics. Except that the family consists of bugs in floppy hats. Buglette is an engaging picture book, a good choice for family read-aloud. Recommended for readers 3 and up.
Publisher: Tricycle Press (@RandomHouseKids)
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher
Nominated for 2011 Cybils in Fiction Picture Books by: Darshana Khiani
Reviewed by: morninglightmama
© 2011 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. This site is an Amazon affiliate, and purchases made through Amazon links may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).