There’s a Bug on My Arm That Won’t Let Go

What to do…there’s a bug on my arm that won’t let go. But I think it quite likes it there – so I better look after it.

Here is a picture book that stands out, not just for the witty text through which we hear the reasonable voice of the child who has taken a particular stance and will hold on to its proper conclusion (yes, the bug says “Goodbye”). This voice is direct and immediate, drawing us in without any unnecessary description or verbage to experience that particular day, hearing echoes of the adults, meeting the cat – and the friend next door; but all this through the medium of the child. Then there are the illustrations, distinctive, textured, original.  Mackintosh’s energetic lines combine with a minimal palette to create movement, emotion and atmosphere. Pages are designed to bring a restless variety to the narrative ranging from full page spreads to vignettes and on occasion the storyboard comic strip. Here is a picture book that stands out; it is both quirky, fun and visually interesting – outstanding.