The Bug's Journey

A Story for All Ages

Children - Picture Book
42 Pages
Reviewed on 06/28/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lois Henderson for Readers' Favorite

Dedicated to Mother Earth, The Bug’s Journey: A Story for All Ages, written by George Wheaton and Merrijo Wheaton, illustrated by Merrijo Wheaton, is a colorful picture book that tells of Boswell the Bug, who is so inquisitive that she spends her life exploring the world around her. Wanting to find out where happiness is, she embarks on a journey by hot air balloon to a distant place where, on landing, she searches through a hat, a fountain, a cowboy boot, a bright pink jeep, a saguaro cactus, a cool blue pool, and a shiny travel trainer, finally coming to rest under a palo verde tree. What she ultimately discovers to be the place where happiness resides is something that she’s had with her all along, much to her surprise.

Former teachers George and Merrijo Wheaton’s The Bug’s Journey: A Story for All Ages is a positive and uplifting tale that has a message in it for us all. Much of the scenery depicted is that of the Sonoran Desert, which could open up this environment to its target audience, especially if they have never ventured there before. I found this book, written in rhyming couplets, to be a true visual delight, with the wide-open expanses of the desert depicted in tones of ochre and green, and the joyfully bright pueblo adobe houses shown in their contrasting vibrant colors. The concept of finding happiness within ourselves, despite not being a new one, is so well presented here that The Bug’s Journey: A Story for All Ages is well worth acquiring.

Bruce Arrington

The Bug's Journey: A Book for All Ages by Merrijo Wheaton and George Wheaton is a 42-page-long children’s illustrated book. It is about a bug named Boswell, who is quite special in that she is an inquisitive bug. At one point in her short life, she learns that there is such a thing as happiness, and she sets off to find it. But as you might suppose, as she looks in various and sundry places, this thing called happiness does not meet her anywhere she looks. Through all her long and far away adventures, she searches and still comes up with nothing, until one day…

The artwork of this book is excellent. Done in pen and ink, as well as cut-out paper, this mixed media is clever and colorful, bringing detailed landscapes to the reader’s eye. This unique art style is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the computer-generated art so often presented in children’s books. The bug looking for happiness mimics what many people may do throughout their lifetimes, assuming that happiness is something to be pursued, to be found, like treasure at the end of a treasure map. However, this story gently reminds the reader that this prized possession comes from somewhere else entirely. The Bug's Journey: A Book for All Ages by Merrijo and George Wheaton brings to the young reader a simple yet important lesson about the pursuit of something intangible, often fleeting, yet that which also can be right within our reach at any time. Recommended.

Shrabastee Chakraborty

The Bug’s Journey is a short picture book written by George and Merrijo Wheaton and illustrated by the latter. It chronicles Boswell the Bug’s quest for happiness. Having a curious mindset, Boswell sets out to find happiness. She travels as much as possible for such a small bug like her. She traverses the grassy fields and the fountain placed inside the garden. She even looks inside stray items like boots and hats, but happiness seems to elude her. When all her efforts prove to be in vain, will the little bug quit her journey? Or will she persevere until she discovers this enigmatic happiness?

The Bug’s Journey is a perfect book for children aged 3 to 7 years. The rhyming sentences make for swift and easy reading. The colorful, geometric illustrations are eye-catching and added to the appeal of the book. The meandering story about Boswell’s various escapades kept me enchanted. George and Merrijo Wheaton suggest that this book is for readers of all ages. After reading it, I could not agree more. Although the setting seems suitable for young readers, the lesson the book provides could be beneficial to all. The story touched my heart with its soothing fingers, reminding me that happiness can exist even during the most turbulent times. The authors’ efforts to convey such a powerful message were commendable. The story is so uplifting that I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone requiring a little relief from daily ordeals and stresses.