Two Bugs on a Leaf offers a retelling of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, specifically aimed at early and young readers. It features a friendly and easy to read format while maintaining many of the original themes including honesty, integrity and thinking for one's self.
The story follows the journey of Huck and Jim as they float downstream on a leaf. Along the way they rescue a stranded beetle, encounter the dubious Duke and "Dolphin" and eventually escape from angry bees.
Two Bugs on a Raft is Book 2 of the Literary Animals series of children's books. This early reader series This unique series exposes children to classic literary stories during the earlier reading stages. Each book utilizes animals, drawings and humor to create kid-friendly versions of these classic stories while still maintaining key elements of the plot and themes. The Literary Animals series provides young children with a head start by allowing them to experience these timeless books in a fun way. This allows them to be more familiar with the elements of these important literary works when they encounter them later in life.
Author and illustrator Dominic Villari's books feature well-developed stories with heart and humor that appeal to kids and parents alike. These timeless tales will grow with you and your children through pre-reading, beginning reading and novice reading.
Themes: - Honesty and integrity
- Freedom and independent thinking
Age Grade Range: - 4 to 7 years
- Pre-K to Second Grade
Other Books in this Series: - Two Bugs on a Raft - Huck Finn for Early Readers
Excerpt: "My name is Huck. I am a bug. You don't know me unless you read about bugs," says Huck.
"Books about bugs are mostly true," says Tom.
"This my friend Tom," says Huck.
"The books say that bugs like to move leaves," says Tom.
"I never saw a bee move a leaf," says Huck.
"We have greater concerns than bees, Huck," says Tom.
"We will move these leaves from here to there," says Tom.
"Why do we have to move these leaves?" asks Huck.
"The books say so," says Tom.
"I'm a bug too. My name is Jim," says Jim.
"Hello Jim. My name is Huck," says Huck.
"I am moving these leaves from there to here," says Jim.
"Well I am moving these leaves from here to there," says Huck.
"I'm tired of moving these leaves," says Huck.
"Me to," says Jim.
"Say Jim, we can ride one these leaves in that water," says Huck.
"Where would we go?" asks Jim.
"Away from these other leaves," says Huck.
"I like it here on the water," says Jim.
"Here on the water we are free," says Huck.
About the Author: Dominic Villari is well versed in the art and science of making stuff up and is often caught talking to things, especially when they don't work right or are difficult to put together. These pursuits occasionally spill out onto paper in illustrated children's books such as Sun and Moon, Bear is Hangry and The Yelling Monsters and fiction books such as The Wandering Princess and Talks to Things. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and daughter, both of whom have gotten better about knowing when he's making stuff up.
