Customer Reviews

Tale of the Poisonous Yuck Bugs: Based on Proverbs 12:18 (Insect-Inside Series, The)

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Based on Proverbs 12:18, The Tale of the Poisonous Yuck Bugs, teaches kids the penalty of unkind words.

Fun, tongue-twisting words and ridiculous creatures are put together with rhyme, and this charming story with its colorful illustrations brings to life the damage that insults and name-calling can bring. Two ugly bugs live their life making all of the other creatures on the island of Gak sick with the poisonous words they speak. Soon, no other creatures will come around them, and they are left only with each other's company.

Left to their own devices, the two bugs quickly turn on each other, calling each other names such as twerpulous twerp, and unwittingly break the unspoken rule that yuck bugs never say bad things to those of their own kind. Quickly, a shouting match ensues and the two yuck bugs begin to die from the sickness they bring on themselves with their horrible words.

Just as all seems lost, a beautiful utterfly happens on the scene and begins to compliment the bugs, something they've never heard. She shows by example, kind words can heal, and the two yuck bugs are soon back on their feet.

Fascinated by the effects of using nice words, the two yuck bugs begin to compete, trying to outdo the other with giving compliments.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the outrageous illustrations and the word combinations provided by the author and illustrator of this fun book, which teaches a good lesson without letting on that its being taught.

"Thoughtless words cut like us toward. But the tongue of wise people brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

Written for young children, this story could be a good one for initiating discussion about using our words to build others up. The brightly colored illustrations attract children's attention, and the moral of the story is clear and appropriate for young children.

The story itself, however, is rather mediocre, and the many hurled insults, if read over and over as children often do, could have the negative effect of being picked up by the children.

This might be a good book for one-time readings by teachers or guidance counselors, when a carefully guided discussion can follow.

Cute pictures, the end result of story is good, however, you have to read things like "You jerkulous jerk" and "you are clumsy and dumb and you stink up the tree" and "you twerpulous twerp" and many more insults. I am not interested in feeding such things to my child. If they hear horrible nasty things, I don't want it to be in a book that I encourage them to read. The fact that it turns out good in the end is great, but in the meantime I am also teaching them bad things to say. Horrific and disappointing!

As a counselor I use this book in all grade levels k-5 to teach about how words hurt---and how empowering, healing positive words can be!!

LOVE, love, love these books! Please write and illustrate MORE books.
Great writing, terrific illustrations, fabulous messages.
Kids hear mean stuff at school all day long, this book tells them what mean words do to both the sayer and the hear-er. LOVE IT.
Can't get enough, please write MORE!!

My kindergartener loves this story. This is a good book for both boys and girls, it is one of many newer books that help guide our children in the decisions they have to make on their own each day. Kids hear so many things on TV and on the radio, it is good to read books that are on their level - books that help play out the feelings they have when they hear and say things that affect others. It is fun and light hearted, yet has a message that really sticks.

A delightful, colorful children's book that emphasizes treating others nicely by using nice words. That's a great value for everyone!