Doug the Bug that went Boing by Sue Hendra (Simon and Schuster Children's Books)

You'd think we were slightly obsessive about Sue Hendra's books if you look back through the blog archives. After all, we've met and loved Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat, No-Bot the Robot with No Bottom (which was a book of the week, no less!), Barry the Fish with Fingers, but somehow we've missed out on Dave the Farting Cat and Nigel the Snail with the Silly Shell (but rest assured we'll track them down eventually!)

So what of young Doug, a bug - and his best friend Trevor. They're happily playing a game of Berry Ball in the garden (with a juicy blueberry, YUM!) when a little over-enthusiasm sees the berry trapped in the petals of a tall flower. Doug and Trevor argue over who should go and grab the berry - luckless Doug ends up climbing up to recover their ball but before he can get back to his friend, the flower is unceremoniously dug up and displayed in a pot on the windowsill high, high above the garden! EEK!

Poor Doug is stuck, but thankfully he meets a new friend who is a bit dim and dizzy but happens to possess a pair of wings! Can the duo escape from the house to the freedom and fresh air of the garden before it's too late?

Sue has a gift for making us smile with her books, her characters are always funny and colourful, her illustrations are always fab (Charlotte LOVED poor Doug getting stuck in what looks like the world's tastiest fried breakfast, NOM!) and the stories bounce along beautifully - just like Doug himself once he realises that bugs are pretty tough and can stand up to all sorts of mishaps, even being propelled through a slice of toast!

If you've loved Sue's other books, don't miss Doug!

Charlotte's best bit: How comfortable would it be to land in a giant fried egg? (She loved the breakfast bit!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: Lovely tale of friendship with Sue's trademark cheeky happy storytelling and illustration. Wonderful!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Simon and Schuster Children's Books)