Title of Book: Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective; Author: David Biedrzycki; ISBN: 978-1570916847; Published by: Charlesbridge Publishing
Summary:
Ace Lacewing is hired by the mayor of Motham City to find Queenie Bee who has been kidnapped. It turned out Queenie’s younger sister, Princess Pollen kidnapped her as she wanted to bee (pun intended) queen. Princess Pollen was apprehended and Ace saved the day with some help from his girlfriend who happened to be a rare Xerces Blue butterfly and Sergeant Zito a mosquito.
My Impressions:
AAAAHHH! This is too funny! (I kept waking up my poor husband when my laughing jiggled the bed! No, this blog is not sponsored by Stearns and Foster. Although if you have a connection, let me know!) You will want to spend plenty of time looking through the pictures because there are hidden gems in them. (Instead of “Caution”, the police tape has “Police Bug Off” written on it.) Although I’m not sure the 6-10 year old crowd will appreciate all the Dick Tracy and other mystery innuendos, they are sure to enjoy the story itself. Lucky for us, Biedrzycki has written two more (Ace Lacewing Bud Detective: Bad Bugs Are My Business and Ace Lacewing Bug Detective: The Big Swat), because one will simply not be enough!
Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5
Reviews:
Booklist( From Bowker’s Books in Print)
Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. When Queenie Bee, of Hive Rise Honey, goes missing, Motham City is abuzz. Tough P.I. Ace Lacewing (Bad bugs are my business ) is on the case. Red herrings (mosquitoes, maggots, and walkingsticks in this case) abound, all with different stories, but the trench-coat-and--fedora-clad detective remains undaunted, sleuthing his way through the clues until a sticky surprise revelation. Biedrzycki ( The Beetle Alphabet Book, 2003) makes his debut as an author here, and although his story is sometimes text heavy, it's filled with snappy dialogue, wordplay, and puns that will especially appeal to kids with some knowledge of insects (words such as pupae are used). The slick, computer-assisted art has a cartoon flair; and its shadowy backgrounds have a noir flavor. Biedrzycki uses occasional pops of primary color and an array of perspectives and witty detail to add interest. Entertaining fare for those who appreciate creepy crawlies on the humorous side, this will attract both good readers and fans of seek-and-find books. --Shelle Rosenfeld Copyright Septmber 2005 Booklist
Suggestions for Use in a Library:
This would be appropriate for middle school and older- hold a mystery party night! They sell these mystery kits in a box so you can host your own party.
For younger ones, get some magnifying glasses and washable ink pads and let them have fun fingerprinting themselves.
Have a mystery hunt. Put some footprints down on the floor leading to a children bookshelf. Have there be a clue-e.g. you can check out books here- so the children go to the circulation desk where they are presented with another clue. They follow the clues all over the library until they come to the children’s area where they can pick up their prize- a toy magnifying glass or a coupon to check out an extra book.
Summary:
Ace Lacewing is hired by the mayor of Motham City to find Queenie Bee who has been kidnapped. It turned out Queenie’s younger sister, Princess Pollen kidnapped her as she wanted to bee (pun intended) queen. Princess Pollen was apprehended and Ace saved the day with some help from his girlfriend who happened to be a rare Xerces Blue butterfly and Sergeant Zito a mosquito.
My Impressions:
AAAAHHH! This is too funny! (I kept waking up my poor husband when my laughing jiggled the bed! No, this blog is not sponsored by Stearns and Foster. Although if you have a connection, let me know!) You will want to spend plenty of time looking through the pictures because there are hidden gems in them. (Instead of “Caution”, the police tape has “Police Bug Off” written on it.) Although I’m not sure the 6-10 year old crowd will appreciate all the Dick Tracy and other mystery innuendos, they are sure to enjoy the story itself. Lucky for us, Biedrzycki has written two more (Ace Lacewing Bud Detective: Bad Bugs Are My Business and Ace Lacewing Bug Detective: The Big Swat), because one will simply not be enough!
Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5
Reviews:
Booklist( From Bowker’s Books in Print)
Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. When Queenie Bee, of Hive Rise Honey, goes missing, Motham City is abuzz. Tough P.I. Ace Lacewing (Bad bugs are my business ) is on the case. Red herrings (mosquitoes, maggots, and walkingsticks in this case) abound, all with different stories, but the trench-coat-and--fedora-clad detective remains undaunted, sleuthing his way through the clues until a sticky surprise revelation. Biedrzycki ( The Beetle Alphabet Book, 2003) makes his debut as an author here, and although his story is sometimes text heavy, it's filled with snappy dialogue, wordplay, and puns that will especially appeal to kids with some knowledge of insects (words such as pupae are used). The slick, computer-assisted art has a cartoon flair; and its shadowy backgrounds have a noir flavor. Biedrzycki uses occasional pops of primary color and an array of perspectives and witty detail to add interest. Entertaining fare for those who appreciate creepy crawlies on the humorous side, this will attract both good readers and fans of seek-and-find books. --Shelle Rosenfeld Copyright Septmber 2005 Booklist
Suggestions for Use in a Library:
This would be appropriate for middle school and older- hold a mystery party night! They sell these mystery kits in a box so you can host your own party.
For younger ones, get some magnifying glasses and washable ink pads and let them have fun fingerprinting themselves.
Have a mystery hunt. Put some footprints down on the floor leading to a children bookshelf. Have there be a clue-e.g. you can check out books here- so the children go to the circulation desk where they are presented with another clue. They follow the clues all over the library until they come to the children’s area where they can pick up their prize- a toy magnifying glass or a coupon to check out an extra book.
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