Melton tells the story with to-the-point sentences and repeating phrases—“What is that? Who is that? It is big! It is black!” The simple prose will be helpful for emerging readers as they begin to recognize and sound out words, allowing them to take the lead in reading. The book also highlights welcome information about Oxford’s breed, the Briard, which was favored by Napoleon and Thomas Jefferson, and the palo verde beetle, which can be up to six inches long. Oxford’s reaction to the immense insect will give kids the chance to discuss how they would behave if they encountered such a beetle—as well as how they could handle the situation with courage.
This title’s main strength is Melton’s inviting watercolor illustrations, which show smudged and textured representations of Oxford and the beetle as they fight and frolic in the garden and the house. In one scene, Oxford’s stringy fur seems to dance as he rears up on hind legs to frighten away the shockingly large bug, sending a vase of orange flowers scattering to the floor. The pictures clearly capture Oxford’s energy and curiosity, making him a fun and relatable protagonist for children to follow.
Takeaway: In this playful picture book Oxford the dog learns courage in the face of bugs.
Comparable Titles: Shanna Silva’s A Dog's Guide to Being Human, Ed Vere’s Max the Brave.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Oxford and the Big Bug Written and Illustrated by DeAnn Melton Age Range: 4-8 Page Count: 36 Publisher: JP Ranch (2022) 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 and 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 and the Big Bug is a fun, funny exploration of what it means to overcome fear. —The Children’s Book Review
