BOOK REVIEW: When The Bugs Came

TITLE: When The Bugs Came
AUTHOR: Joe Fisher
PUBLISHED BY: Independant publisher

A book for a sign of the times with lockdown as its main inspiration and featuring the strangeness of the situation we have all been in whilst aiming to normalise family life for the children caught up in it; it recalls the process of lockdown and how it has affected us all.

Beautifully written in rhyme accompanied by stunning illustrations, this book will help children understand more about the pandemic and how to deal with it.

It is a charming picture book about a young family experiencing life in lockdown and incorporates information on hand washing, social distancing, clapping for heroes and home schooling.

With a reading age of three to six years it includes lots of humour whilst dealing with a difficult subject which is brought to life by the wonderful, colourful illustrations. New words which have come into everyone’s lives and vocabulary, such as 'isolation' and 'lockdown' are explained simply and the main theme of lockdown is portrayed in more than just the words as the layout of the text creates isolation and words are separated from people in the illustrations, whilst swirls of the words symbolise the virus in the air.

This book has certainly encapsulated the experience of COVID and its impact on society, warmly told in a positive way; it is a book to treasure and keep as a striking reminder of these current times so as to look back on in times to come; a stunning reminder of a year to remember.

It is such a wonderful book that is a joy to read; it is a truly simplistic way to explain the current events of the past year to children and future generations; it will be a poignant reminder of this strange time in years to come; it is well suited for children of all ages.

There is a useful resource at the back of the book for children to complete entitled ‘My Lockdown Memories’ which can be used by parents and teachers in school.

Cleverly illustrated by Andy S. Gray

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard