Book - Bumblebee Grumblebee

Finalist in the 2022 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

I consider this a kind of transitional title between board books and picture books.

Its super simple concept is that you have a normal animal on one page, and then it does something that changes its name. So a “Buffalo” in the bath becomes a “Fluffalo” when it turns on a hair dryer. That’s cool, but what I really liked about the book was its end. After you’ve gotten used to the form, the last four pages go “Turtle”, with a turtle taking a hose. “Turtle?” as it gives you a cheeky grin. “Squirtle” as it starts hosing down everyone else in a final two-page spread.

It’s hard to stress to you how difficult it is to write something this simple but also with a successful capper at the end. Sticking the landing in a board book is an art. David Elliot? A master.

Betsy Bird, Reviewer for the American School Library Journal, June 2022

Find out more about David's book here

Bumblebee cards available here

Bumblebee mugs available here