Member Reviews

Sweet book that will fit well with our growing children’s book collection. Great colour illustrations and nicely accessible.

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My grandson picked Snug as a Bug as his bedtime story and I agreed thinking it would be about a bug getting ready for bed, how wrong I was. Snug as a Bug is a loud, fun, active story that had my grandkids laughing and shouting out the repeating lines. Ronald Bug was snug in his house when there was a knock on his door. When he answered, he found a smiling snake on the other side ready to have him for his dinner. The rest of the book has Ronald running through the countryside escaping one predator after another repeating: “I’m snug as a bug in a rug, I am. As snug as a bug could be.
There has never been a bug in THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD so happily snug as me!” He eventually realized that he is NOT Snug as a Bug where he is, and heads back home to safety. This was a wonderful read aloud with its rhyming cadence and repeating lines. The illustrations were wonderful as well. The action shown and expressions on the faces of the predators and Ronald easily showed emotion. This was a fun story that the kids loved. I felt it showed how facing your fears helps deal with them, as well as not giving up and home is a safe place. I highly recommend this story.

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Interesting idea. Obviously we're playing with the idea of being "snug as a bug" and the dangers that the world represents to insects. It might be funny once or twice but could become tiresome to the adult reader.

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"Snug as a bug in a rug" is a particularly nostalgic saying that my grandmother used to say to me a lot. Well, established picture book writer, Karl Newson, has made a whole picture book out of it! With a bright, bold colour palette, some nasty pasty villains and a not very snug bug, this is an hilarious chase across the pages. But, will bug escape..?

Bug is all snug until there is a knock at the door. Being a bug is not much fun when all your neighbours want to eat you! As Bug is chased through woodland, caves and even over a waterfall, will he ever be snug again?

This hilarious comic caper is pitched perfectly at young readers who will find both the text and illustrations highly engaging and hilarious - just look at Bug's face! There's a whole cast of predatory characters and a whole range of outdoor settings to explore and Bug's voice is a mix of sing-songy rhyme and humour. Karl Newson is excellent at creating loveable characters and if you enjoyed I am NOT an Elephant, then this is definitely one to read. The ending is particularly brilliant with an important message that small can be mighty!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for allowing

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Cute book about feelings and emotions for preschoolers. Not predictable like you would think it would be with the rhymes, but cute nonetheless.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my

A snug bug in a cave of certain death was oddly relatable. I found this story to be funny and will be fun to read with kids.

I never related to a bug more then I have today. Snug as a bug I am indeed

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This is an adorable rhyming book with beautiful illustrations that draw the reader in! We will definitely be purchasing this book for our library!

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"Snug as a Bug" by Karl Newson is a hilarious children's book about a bugs fate of hardships, and his perserverence to push through and attain his goal of sleep.

Bug is ready for bed when he hears a knock at the door. Bug opens the door to find a snake ready to eat him for dinner. This begins the escalation of events where bug is met with an assortment of creatures who all see him as a delicious snack. Just barely escaping each event, bug continues to push through his difficult situations and finds the strength to continue forward. Join bugs exciting tale and see where he ends up in the end. Will he be a bug as snug as a rug in bed? or will he find himself in the belly of a hungry creature.

Happy Yak Publishing adds yet another fun children's book title to their collection. This one does not dissapoint!

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This one is so fun and teaches a valuable lesson for little ones: don't answer the door, especially when you're trying to rest! Bug is happy and says a little rhyme when he hears his doorbell. Upon answering he finds himself running for his life instead of nice and snug in his bed. It is so funny with quirky twist ending.

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Ronald the bug gets out of his snug little bed to answer a knock at the door which leads to a wild adventure as he tries to escape from the various creatures who want to eat him. His determination to get to somewhere snug helps get him out of some sticky situations but then there’s another knock at the door…

This fun to read story with its rhyming refrain is told by Roland and Alex Wilmore’s vibrant, colourful illustrations help to set the fast pace. We travel through woods, deep dark caves and fast flowing waterfalls as Roland is pursued by creatures including a mole, a bird and a crocodile.

For a bug in so much peril Roland is pretty fearless and optimistic. His mantra ‘snug as a bug’ helps him cope as he escapes one kind of danger only to find himself in another perilous situation. Even at his lowest point this feisty little bug finds a solution which leads to an ending that made us laugh (but we’re not going to spoil it for you!).

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A cute little book about a bug who answers the door to find... a predator! As he runs away he continues to tell himself that he's "as snug as a bug" as he encounters one dangerous animal after another that wants to eat him. Once he finally makes it home and hears another knock on the door he decides he's learned his lesson and won't answer it again, only to discover that it's his mother on the other side!

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Snug As a Bug? is a funny, rhyming story about a bug who gets comfortable when suddenly there's a doorbell alarm. He goes to see who it could be but ends up on an adventure evading his capture. He puts a stop to that and certainly has a much deserved rest... when the doorbell goes again. My 4 year old laughed out loud the whole book and asked to read it again. Definitely recommend, especially as a read aloud!

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Happy Yak and NetGalley for this ARC

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"Snug as a Bug" by Karl Newson is a delightful and engaging children's book about a bug who finds himself in a perilous adventure after being interrupted from his cozy home. The story is beautifully illustrated by Anuska Allepuz and will captivate young readers with its vibrant colors and detailed drawings.

The main character, the bug, is immediately likable and relatable, as he enjoys his comfortable life in his cozy home until he is unexpectedly thrust into a dangerous journey. Readers will cheer him on as he faces various creatures, all eager to make him their next meal, and navigates through challenging terrain to make his way back home.

Newson's writing style is simple and easy to understand, making it accessible to even the youngest readers. His use of repetition, particularly with the phrase "snug as a bug," is both amusing and endearing. The story's fast-paced action will keep children on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next.

Overall, "Snug as a Bug" is a charming and well-crafted children's book that will captivate young readers with its engaging storyline and stunning illustrations. It's a perfect addition to any child's library and will surely become a favorite bedtime story.

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A fun story of a bug who’s is evading capture. It has rhythm, humour and a repetitive phrase to join in with. This story stands out from other similar children’s stories as usually the main character is frightened of the consequences. However, in this story the character undergoes a transformation and finds a new belief in himself. A great read for all young children.

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Snug as a Bug? is intended for children ages 3-6 years old. This a cute story with a funny ending. The illustrations are vivid and engaging. I would warn that there are mentions of death and for the intended age group, this might be an issue for some parents.

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“I’m snug as a bug in a rug, I am.
As snug as a bug could be.
There has never been a bug
in THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD
so happily snug as me!”
Recently, I have been reading a lot of children’s books: most good; some excellent – but this is the best book of all of them. I was given an electronic advanced copy by NetGalley and the publisher, but have pre-ordered the paperback. It is a book that every child should have the opportunity to read – or have read to them – and it is an absolute must for my new great-niece and her parents. And I will probably have to have my own copy too.
An outstanding children’s book, appeals not just to children, but also to adults. Afterall, if you are going to have to read it over and over again to your child, it had better be a book that you enjoy too. This is one such book. I was captivated on the first reading – and on the second, and third … as was my husband. The “snug as a bug” refrain goes round and round in my head, sneaking in at odd times of the day.
It is a perfect bedtime reading book, when the child is tucked up in bed ‘as snug as a bug in a rug’.
Ronald, the bug, answers his doorbell, opening the door to a hungry snake, who plans on eating the tasty little bug. Ronald runs out of his house as fast as his little legs will take him, encountering one after another dangerous predator wanting a bug dinner. He somehow manages to evade them all, while singing his happy, optimistic song – though it does seem to get more and more manic as time goes on – until he ends up in the “smelly belly” of a crocodile.
There he decides that, even though he has thus far escaped all the dangers:
“I am NOT snug here. NOT AT ALL.”
Something has to change, running away is not a long-term option.
“You ate the wrong bug!
I’M GOING HOME
I may be small…
But I am mighty!
And I’ve got somewhere
else to be.”
He makes it back to safety, and his snug-rug-bed. Then the doorbell rings again ….
The words are delightful. The rhythm is catchy, with just enough rhyming and repetition to ensure that soon the children and adults will soon be chanting along with the bug. But, the real joy of this book is the illustrations. There is continual motion in the pictures, the bug’s legs running, flapping, waving …., the bug turning head over heels, flying, crashing, … You know exactly how the bug is feeling as his emotions are so clear on his face: confusion, fear, relief, terror, exasperation, annoyance, resolve … The predators all smile in a mock-friendly sinister way, trying to entice the bug to stop fleeing, to become their meal.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. You don’t need to have children (I don’t), to be enchanted by this and want to own it, but if you can share it with a child, so much the better.
For me, this book is right up there with my all-time favourite kids’ book ‘Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy’. Get a copy, you will not regret it!!!

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This was such a cute, funny and quick read with lots of colorful pictures. My kid loved it! This is perfect for kids (and the person reading to the kid(s))

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A decent look at a bug needing a rhyming mantra to get him through a heck of a lot of unfortunate circumstances, as he nearly gets killed and eaten by a host of animals in the big bad world. If only he hadn't opened the door! It's a fun thing to join in with, I am sure, but not a classic in the making – the simple plot and naive kind of illustrative style lower this to decent diversion. The lower end of four stars, perhaps.

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I read this book to Izzy and she loves it. She really liked the ending where the bug has finally gotten snug in bed again but its mom came to the door. The alligator appearing is her favorite part. “Not today alligator”. Izzy loved the beautiful colorful pictures. She gives this book 5 stars.

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This adorable and Ryan ting tale takes us on an unexpected journey through the natural world, full of not so smug moments.

Our snug bug just wants to rest, but when their doorbell rings and they answer the door, the rest of their day is full of escaping dangers while trying to maintain positivity.

I loved the illustrations and how catchy the rhyming was! And the message of putting your foot down and not passively accepting the circumstances around you, and instead changing the path was really touching!

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