This story follows Lydia, who is fascinated by bugs, as she collects all different types for her school’s show-and-tell. The colorful illustrations are perfect for keeping children entertained during a read-aloud and encouraging them to ask questions in an attempt to learn more about different insects. The standout component in this book was the educational illustrations of the various types of bugs. Overall, it is colorful, sweet, engaging, and with creative illustrations, kids are sure to enjoy. This one is perfect for the little nature lover in your life, as well as for classroom read-alouds, bedtime stories, and any curious early reader.

Love this story! As a tomboy growing up, I can certainly relate to a character who enjoys things others think is gross. So good to see a story written about a girl who is encouraged to enjoy what she likes even if nobody in her family appreciates them except her mom. Great explanations about the bugs at the end without being overly complicated. Exactly the kind of book that I would read to my daughter.
I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review..

Such a cute love letter to bugs. Way to go to the author and illustrator for making the bugs less icky and scary and more accessible to kids. The joy and love of the main character shines through. The illustrations were bright and inviting. I loved the backmatter.

This one was such a delight. I absolutely loved it—fun, engaging, and the illustrations and text work so well together, making it the kind of book kids want to linger over and reread. A definite must-read for kiddos who love bugs (or who might after this).

Such a cute book, especially love that it totally normalized girls loving bugs too!

My 5 year old said: I wish I was her classmate and friend, we would have so much fun finding cool bugs together - like real scientists. Infinity stars ⭐️
* they also liked all of the bug species information and fun facts at the end.

The artwork was so vibrant and inclusive, a perfect book to add to bug loving kids collection.

The pictures are gorgeous, thoughtfully placed across the pages to enhance the reading experience. I love the playful alliteration in the writing. This is a fun book for kids, but it’s also educational—all the bugs mentioned are real, with a handy bio at the back. Cleverly done for enjoyment and learning. Eye-catching, engaging, and a book that kids will love reading while parents, aunties, and uncles will happily pick up as gifts.

This was so lovely! Lydia and her mom show young readers that it’s normal to have some unconventional interests that are spooky or icky to others. Some may also be introduced to a new career option! The illustrations are beautiful with detailed bugs of all kinds. Backmatter references all the bugs illustrated in the book with sketches, names, and fun facts.

We love female representation in science! I love how this book took what is classically known as a "boy" hobby and flipped it to show that girls can also love bugs!

Great bug reference in the back!

I loved this one! The illustrations are beautiful and Lydia is such a fun character. I really enjoyed seeing Lydia interact with the bugs in the book and her family members. I especially appreciated the author's note explaining what Lydia's mom does as a job and the last couple pages that taught about all of the bugs in this book. This book was a great mix of fiction and facts that teach the reader all about bugs!

I could see bug lovers going for this book! The text was simple and perfect for 3-5 year olds. I liked that she was a girl who loved bugs and so was her mom. (And the boys were the ones who didn’t like bugs.) I was worried that she was just collecting the bugs and not letting them go, but it all turned out all right in the end. The illustrations clearly showed her love of bugs- bug bedspread, bug stickers on her door. I appreciated the bug facts at the back on the book describing the different bugs featured in the book while also using kids friendly language.

Lydia Loves Bugs is a perfect educational and engaging read! This book would be fantastic with a lesson plan on various insects. The illustrations are beautiful and will easily be a book that will be reached for time and time again. The bug guide at the end of the book is wonderful and will be a great resource for kids of all ages. Highly recommend!

If you have a child who loves nature, asks “why?” a lot, or collects tiny treasures from the backyard, Lydia Loves Bugs might be a perfect pick. This picture book celebrates curiosity, science, and loving what you love—even when others don’t quite get it yet. With its engaging illustrations, science-friendly theme, and love for all things creepy-crawly, it’s a great choice for young readers who adore bugs—or might just learn to.

Lydia Loves Bugs and I love this book! The illustrations are beautiful and the story concise. This will be a great way to introduce the insect unit in my Pre-K class. One of my goals is to help everyone in my class feel comfortable with insects and this book will help.

Lydia Loves Bugs is an absolute delight and a wonderful celebration of curiosity, individuality, and a love for the natural world.

From the very first pages, Lydia’s enthusiasm for bugs shines through in a way that feels authentic and incredibly relatable. She loves all kinds of bugs—big ones, tiny ones, crawly ones, and even the kind that make other people squirm. The story does a great job of presenting this passion with humor and warmth, making it easy for young readers to see themselves in Lydia.

One of the most charming aspects of the book is how it acknowledges that not everyone shares the same interests—and that’s okay. While some characters don’t quite understand Lydia’s love of bugs, others do, reinforcing the idea that having even one supportive person can make all the difference. This message is handled gently and naturally, without feeling preachy.

The illustrations are playful and engaging, perfectly matching the tone of the story and bringing Lydia’s world (and her bugs!) to life. The variety of insects featured keeps the pages fun and visually interesting, especially for kids who already love bugs—or might be discovering that love for the first time.

Overall, Lydia Loves Bugs is a joyful, affirming read that encourages children to embrace what they love, even if it’s a little unconventional. It’s a fantastic choice for bug-loving kids and a great read-aloud for families. This is definitely a book I’d be excited to share with a child who has a big curiosity for the world around them.

5⭐️

Lydia is a curious young girl who has inherited a fascination with and respect for insects from her entomologist mama. She gathers a selection of her favorites to take to school and share with her classmates, and teaches them how wonderful these little creatures are. The book ends with a more technical explanation of the types of insects pictured throughout the story, making this ideal for home use as well as classroom or library shelves. Recommended for ages 4-7.

I love this book! I want to buy a copy for all my friends’ kids and every school library nearby. Let me introduce myself as a huge fan of insects and a proud parent of many Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches over the years, and one beautiful female black widow spider named Maleficent.

Two really big lessons from this book: representation matters, and those we don’t understand are worth to getting to know and love.

Lydia Loves Bugs by Heidi E. Stemple is a cute and informative boo showing a variety of real bugs throughout a curious little girl's piqued interest!

This book is vibrant and has a simple plot of reflecting what may be an unusual love of insects that is encouraged in a young girls life.

The topic of a young girl being interested in bugs is initially an eye drawer, but it gets even better when you crack open the book and there are no stereotypes to be had. Dad works as a scientist? NOPE! he's home doing laundry! Our main character then only child of color in their classroom? No! We have a collection of cultures here!

The Illustrations are also phenomenal, with drawn insects that very clearly reflect real insects!
This is certainly one I could see including in my library's collection, but also one that I'd purchase for my children's personal library.
Thank you Familius Books for the Advanced Reader Copy of this title!

Lydia Loves Bugs by Heidi E. Y. Stemple is a delightful book full of opposites and bugs. The flow of this book and the illustrations are great. I especially love the back where it tells you more about each of the bugs seen in the book.