Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Bug in a Vacuum
Written and Illustrated by Mélanie Watt
Tundra Books, 2015
Suitable for age: 5-9
Theme/Topic: Grief, Life Changing Events, Emotions
Opening Spread: The bug started here.
It flew into the house …
Brief Synopsis: From Amazon: A bug flies through an open door into a house, through a bathroom, across a kitchen and bedroom and into a living room … where its entire life changes with the switch of a button. Sucked into the void of a vacuum bag, this one little bug moves through denial, bargaining, anger, despair and eventually acceptance — the five stages of grief — as it comes to terms with its fate. Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel? Will there be dust bunnies in the void? A funny, suspenseful and poignant look at the travails of a bug trapped in a vacuum.
Resources: The book explains the five stages of grief in one sentence. Each stage is clearly marked in the story with illustrations and bugs emotions. A child and parent can discuss the bug’s emotions and actions at each stage.
Why I Like This Book: This is a heavy book literally — 96 pages! Grief is a heavy topic and I felt like the story is very adaptable to different ages. While my son focused on one aspect of life in the vacuum, another child may read something else into the story and illustrations. The book’s topic has the potential to be scary, but didn’t feel that way to our family.
We picked up a copy through our library. The timing was perfect as our community dealt with the issue of the Planned Parenthood shooting (one week ago today). The deaths and the hostage situation were discussed openly in many circles — at our kitchen table, via news channels, and during community events. I guess every local church service in town mentioned the tragedy. If Enzo had questions we answered them. It’s difficult to explain that not all bad guys go to jail or can be stopped.
The book, just like life, has an open-ended ending. It’s a good question to ask whether the bug lives or dies. I still haven’t decided.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
I hope you have a wonderful and safe week.
I really need to get this book, Stacy…you are right…this might be the perfect book to help kids and their parents examine those stages of grief.
I read this at my library – amazed at the length and how engaging it was! Glad it arrived at the right moment for your family, sad that it had such real-life application.
The title made me chuckle. Something we all may be guilty of doing, is now a book. But, the book sounds like it has a lot of substance to it with the inclusion of the five stages of grief. A real plus that you were able to apply it to a real life situation.
Like Pat, I giggled at the title, then read further.
After my husband died I scrambled to find fitting books to explain grief to my boys. So sorry for the real life implications you are now dealing with. Like so many others I wish for an end to the violence and wish Congress would stop bickering over changes which are all necessary to work.
This book does sound heavy. Heavy with implications and heavy with meaning. I am putting this on hold at my library.
I, too, was amazed at the length of this book, but, considering the topic–it’s quite suitable and very well done. The child in me wants the fairy tale ending, so I believe the bug lives–happily ever after.
Dang! This sounds wonderful.
And I’m delighted to see that there’s a publisher out there willing to take a chance on a 96-page picture book about the five stages of grief.
Enzo has a terrific set of parents!
I just got this one – great illustrations. And when you really look at them you’ll see all the things on the floor that eventually end up in the vacuum cleaner bag. Though it’s aimed at a young audience, and listed as an “early reader,” I thought some of the concepts would require a more mature reader. The end hit me with a “whaaaat?” the first time through.
Have seen reviews but haven’t seen this one in person yet. Will have to check the library to see where they shelve it (if they have it!) Perhaps not in the traditional picture book bins at 96 pages.
I read this book a few weeks back because I was intrigued by the approach and the length. I thought it was wonderful. I’m glad it was there for you and your family at the right time. Thanks for sharing this.
This reminds me of Jonah and the Wale. Has special meanings for me… I am saddened that young kids now new to learn about the grieving process so early on. And since it’s reality, I’m glad there are books like these. Love to you and Enzo.
Well, this sounds like an interesting book. I will definitely have to check it out. Thanks for the review.
This sounds like such a cool book – and one I’m going to have to look at for sure. Poor bug. More importantly: life can change so quickly, and there’s no guidebook for dealing with it.
Wow, what a philosophical book yet based on a humorous and sad premise… I am so sorry that you and so many parents are having to address such issues with young kids, but thank God for books that help.
I, too, picked this one up at my library. It’s a great book! Well done on a tough topic. I’m sorry that you and your community (or any community anywhere) has to deal with death due to violence. I think that’s why I’ve been listening to that duet between David Bowie and Bing Crosby so much. It holds much hope for us as a society.