The Children’s Book Review | October 18, 2014
By J.C. Donaho
Paperback: 54 pages
Age Range: 5-8
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 23, 2014)
ISBN: 978-1493604067
What to expect: Non-Fiction, Bugs, Nature, Photography
J.C. Donaho is a photography hobbyist that has combined his career in animal welfare and biomedical research, to create an early reader book well suited for young naturalists. Donaho’s love of the outdoor environment shows through his text and will help cultivate an interest and awareness of the natural wonders found in our own backyards.
The main storyline follows a variety of animals as they converse and explore their surroundings and spot hidden bugs. The text is clear and concise and multi-layered in a way that appeals to beginning readers through to advanced readers—or beginning readers sharing in a reading session with a parent or teacher. Large bold type with easy words and short sentences are ideal for an easier reading experience. More advanced readers that are ready for smaller text and eager to digest more information and fun facts on bugs are offered a deeper learning aspect as Donaho delves further into the natural world and shares specifics on the bugs found in each of his photographs. There is one sharp and colorful photograph per double-page spread—and a few spreads with two photographs—providing a nice balance between visual influence and actual reading.
There’s a Bug in My Blossom is a fine choice for young readers—pre-k through second grade—that are naturally inquisitive. These readers will be further inspired to appreciate their surroundings and will most likely be ready to launch straight into an outside exploration—be sure to have a magnifying glass handy.
Add this book to your collection: There’s a Bug in my Blossom
About the Author
J. C. Donaho holds a BS in zoo administration from Texas A&M University, though his involvement with animals stretches back to his early childhood when he had a menagerie of pets and enjoyed playing with tarantulas and horned lizards.
After college, Donaho immediately went to work in the zoo world, first as a zookeeper and later as a curator. He next went on to work in the biomedical research community, where, for the past twenty years, he has strived to understand and improve the health and welfare of animals and people.
Along with his wife of forty-plus years, Donaho has been involved in various animal rescue projects for over thirty-five years. A proud father of four, he’s still a kid-at-heart when it comes to nature. To this day, he finds himself entranced by it and tries, as best he can, to capture its beauty through his camera.
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