Book Review of Oxford and the Big Bug
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The Children’s Book Review
Oxford & the Big Bug
Written and Illustrated by DeAnn Melton
Ages 4+ | 36 Pages
Publisher: JP Ranch | ISBN-13: 9780983978152
What to Expect: Fear, courage, positive thinking, dogs
Oxford is a good dog who spends his days guarding his home, garden, and chickens. One day, though, he accidentally becomes host to a hitchhiking Palo Verde beetle—a huge, black bug that can grow as big as six inches long! When Oxford feels the tickle of the beetle on his back, he panics and runs into the house, creating havoc as he tries to get away from the terrifying insect. Soon, though, Oxford can talk himself out of fear and chase the beetle back out of the house. Thanks to his courage, the garden is beetle-free and under guard once more!
Most people know what it’s like to feel an irrational fear of something harmless, whether it’s the dark, heights, or insects. Oxford & the Big Bug invites readers to laugh at those fears and models using positive thinking and self-encouragement to overcome them. Readers will laugh at and empathize with Oxford’s initial panic and are sure to share in his infectious canine pride when he finally finds his courage. The book’s beautiful watercolor illustrations bring Oxford and his home to life, while the creative use of different fonts helps make the simple text accessible to even beginner readers.
Oxford & the Big Bug is a fun, funny exploration of what it means to overcome fear.
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About the Author
DeAnn Melton received an M.F.A. degree from the University of Arizona. She is a painter who works in watercolor and oil, has participated in museum shows, and has worked with galleries. Melton has been working on a series of life-size portraits of artists, curators, and art collectors since 1992. She is currently working on a series of oil paintings of large birds whose gestural poses enliven the canvas. In 2022 DeAnn Melton published the children’s book FLYWAYS, which she wrote and illustrated.
For more information, visit https://deannmelton.com/ and https://jpranchpublishing.com/.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Oxford and the Big Bug by DeAnn Melton. Learn more about getting a book review …
