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Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
The Ladybird Who Changed Her Spots by Ian Humpheryes takes place in a busy garden full of all kinds of bugs. A wise old owl is perched on the fence, worried about the bugs and hoping they will not attract the attention of the hungry magpie nearby. There’s a ladybird who thinks being the same is boring and decides to eat some yellow sunflower petals. The black spots on her back turn golden yellow, and she now thinks she is more beautiful than before. This sets off a chain reaction of bugs thinking they could look better than the next if they change their color or appearance. A green snail eats the reddest tomato it can find; a brown caterpillar decorates its back with blue flowers; an ant makes a big hat out of leaves. But what happens when changing your looks attracts the most dangerous kind of attention?
Ian Humpheryes has created a funny premise with a cautionary tale that teaches a valuable lesson to young readers. He brings the message home about how sometimes wanting to be different can put you in harm’s way. The Ladybird Who Changed Her Spots encourages dialogue and gentle discussions about choices, safety, and thinking before you follow a trend. The bold, 3-dimensional illustrations really pop on each page. The magpie represents the danger that is always lurking nearby, while the wise owl adds calm authority, offering care for the community in addition to caution. There is a cause-and-effect pattern, inviting readers to predict “What will happen if…?” Educational tidbits about the different bugs are included at the end of the story. The added craft activity is also a nice touch. Readers who enjoy similar works like What the Ladybird Heard or Moth: An Evolution Story will feel right at home.
