Latest episode

Season 1 Finale

Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems

Edited by Paul B. Janeczko Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

It only takes a few words, if they’re the right words, to create a strong image. Whether listened to in the comfort of a cozy lap or read independently, the thirty-six very short poems in this collection remind readers young and old that a few perfect words and pictures can make the world glow. Selected by acclaimed poet Paul B. Janeczko and gorgeously illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet, this anthology invites children to sample poems throughout the four seasons.

Published: March 11th 2014 Editor: Paul B. Janeczko Illustrator: Melissa Sweet

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

El Deafo

By Cece Bell and Color by David Lasky

Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest. At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf; here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.

Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school (in the hallway... in the teacher's lounge... in the bathroom)! This is power, Maybe even a superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming "El Deafo", Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it's just another way of feeling different... and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?

Published: September 2nd 2014 Author & Illustrator: Cece Bell Colorist: David Lasky

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

The Rough-Face Girl

Written by Rafe Martin and Illustrated by David Shannon

This moving adaptation of the classic children's story Cinderella tells how a disfigured Algonquin girl wins the heart of a mysterious being who lives by the lake near her village.

The powerful Invisible Being is looking for a wife, and all the girls in the village vie for his affections. But only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The two beautiful but spoiled daughters of a poor village man try their best to be chosen, but it is their Rough-Face-Girl sister, scarred on her face and arms from tending fires, who sees the Invisible Being in the wonder of the natural world.

Published: April 13th 1998 Author: Rafe Martin Illustrator: David Shannon

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

Wishtree

Written by Katherine Applegate and Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "Wishtree", people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "Wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.

Published: September 26, 2017 Author: Katherine Applegate Illustrator: Charles Santoso

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

Santa's Secrets Revealed

Written by James Solheim and Illustrated by Barry Gott

It's Christmas Eve and when Stevie decides that he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he's in for a big surprise! Santa, his elves, eight flying reindeer, and Harry W. Throckmorton the Dancing Holstein show Stevie that there's more to Christmas than he thinks. There are Gift Fulfillment Centers, a string of satellites, and a Spacetime Scruncher. But more importantly, Stevie discovers that Santa is more than just the latest technology.

Published: January 1st 2004 Author: James Solheim Illustrator: Barry Gott

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

Creepy Pair of Underwear!

Written by Aaron Reynolds and Illustrated by Peter Brown

Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back

Published: August 15, 2017 Author: Aaron Reynolds Illustrator: Peter Brown

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

The Losers Club

Written by Andrew Clements

Alec can't put a good book down.

So when Principal Vance lays down the law-pay attention in class, or else-Alec takes action. He can't lose all his reading time, so he starts a club. A club he intends to be the only member of. After all, reading isn't a team sport, and no one would want to join something called the Losers Club, right?

But as more and more kids find their way to Alec's club-including his ex-friend turned bully and the girl Alec is maybe starting to like-Alec notices something. Real life might be messier than his favorite books, but its just as interesting.

Published: August 2017 Author: Andrew Clements

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

Written by Drew Daywalt and Illustrated by Adam Rex

You’ve played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began.

Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named ROCK.

Meanwhile in the Empire of Mom’s Home Office, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle. And his name was PAPER.

At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, lived a third warrior. They called her SCISSORS.

These three were the strongest, smartest, and fastest in all the land. Time and again they beat the most fearsome opponents they could find: an apricot, a computer printer—even frozen, breaded, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets! But when the warriors finally meet each other, the most epic round of battles begins. and never ends. That is why, to this day, children around the world honor these worthy adversaries by playing ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!

Published: April 4, 2017 Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Adam Rex

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://bookbugspodcast.com

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Written by J. K. Rowling

This week we are getting into the Halloween spirit. So we invited Book Friend Elena to talk about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Come join us in this world of potions, wizards, and magical creatures.

Published: June 26, 1997 Author: J. K. Rowling

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://BookBugsPodcast.com

The Magic Misfits

Written by Neil Patrick Harris and Illustrated by Lissy Marlin & Kyle Hilton

When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a sleepy New England town. But like any good trick, things change instantly as greedy B.B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies arrive to steal anything and everything they can get their sticky fingers on.

After a fateful encounter with the local purveyor of illusion, Dante Vernon, Carter teams up with five other like-minded kids. Together, using both teamwork and magic, they'll set out to save the town of Mineral Wells from Bosso's villainous clutches. These six Magic Misfits will soon discover adventure, friendship, and their own self-worth in this delightful new series.

Published: November 21, 2017 Author: Neil Patrick Harris Illustrator: Lissy Marlin & Kyle Hilton

Music - "Twinkerbell" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Find out more at http://BookBugsPodcast.com