If you had to pick the “Best Pest of the Year,” who would you pick? Perhaps a spider or a water-strider? A beetle or a butterfly? That is what the insects in Pest Fest must decide when they gather for their annual talent show.
All of the insects, but one, feel that they deserve this prize. Ladybug believes that she should win because she is a “lovely, dainty bug.” Firefly finds the other bugs to be boring, while he can shine and twinkle. The Cicada feels he deserves the honor because he is an “expert noise creator.”
The little Housefly, on the other hand, believes that he does not have any talent and should not even compete. The other insects insist there must be something unique that he can do, but he sniffs and says he does nothing but “pester dogs, bother cats.. I heckle humans in their homes.” After sharing all the ways that he is bothersome, the other insects select him as the “Best Pest of the Year.”
This book is filled with intense illustrations, rich vocabulary, rhythm and alliteration. The illustrations are colorful and realistically portray the various insects. The words are a joy to say out loud, and children will find themselves chanting along to the refrain of “Pest Fest! Pest Fest” long after you have closed the cover. They will also have learned all about the various insects in a fun and engaging way, without even realizing that they were learning.
Check the WRL catalog for Pest Fest.
