Daisy and Bug: Treehouse troubles by Kim de Haan

With a grandson just beginning to read, I was thrilled to pick up Treehouse troubles, a graphic novel  starring Daisy and Bug, two very cute, strange little creatures. Bug loves to nap and isn’t thrilled when Daisy, who always has a bright idea, wakes him up, excited with a plan to build a treehouse. But as Bug says “ We don’t have a tree”, so it is difficult to see how her great idea will work out. Daisy is determined to have a treehouse and decides to grow a tree in their backyard. She digs a hole, puts in a plant, gives it an enormous dose of Extreme Grow fertiliser and oh wow! an enormous strawberry plant, bigger than their house, lurches up towards the sky. And then the fun begins!

The bright colours and engaging little creatures are sure to enthral the young child, who will easily identify with Bug’s desire to nap or long to come up with unique ideas like the ones that Daisy has, and will want to have the adventures like those of the two good friends. The illustrations are gorgeous and I especially loved the double page spread of Bug and Daisy lounging under deep green strawberry leaves on a purple rug, surrounded by luscious red fruit.

The story is broken in four chapters, which will encourage the beginning reader to feel that they moving along to chapter books, and the minimal text, supported by the pictures, will help them work out the words and the story. There is a quiz at the back of the book, letting the reader decide whether they are more like Bug or Daisy, and instructions on how to draw these two engaging little characters. Downloadable activities are available on the Author’s website.

I loved this graphic novel and look forward to reading more of Bug and Daisy’s adventures in the next in the series, Cake-tastrophy. 

Themes: Graphic novel, Treehouses, Imagination.

Pat Pledger