Trouble in Bugland - by William Kotzwinkle (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A collection of five detective stories for young readers, inspired by Sherlock Holmes and with an all-insect cast of characters. "Excitement and humor!"--New York Times Book Review

Inspector Mantis, accompanied by his trusted colleague Doctor Hopper, go forth from their little flat at 221B Flea Street to solve "The Case of the Missing Butterfly," "The Case of the Caterpillar's Head," and three other antennae-bending mysteries puzzling the populace of Bugland.

Criminal detection, combined with delightful insect characters, makes this, in the words of The Horn Book, "the most engaging and cleverest reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson yet." Joe Servello's color and pen-and-ink drawings bring exquisite period detail to these tales: steam engines, deerstalkers, fog, and mandibles have never been more lovingly crosshatched.

"Sherlock Holmes fans of all ages--and entomology nuts--must read Trouble in Bugland," wrote Newsday, "a hilarious homage to Arthur Conan Doyle. Illustrator Joe Servello's handsome pictures in color and black and white are a grand accompaniment to Kotzwinkle's clever and playful stories."

This is a treat for any kid--as a read-alone or read-aloud--who loves a funny mystery.

From the Back Cover

Going forth from his little cottage at 221B Flea Street, Inspector Mantis, accompanied by his trusted colleague Doctor Hopper, solves "The Case of the Missing Butterfly," "The Case of the Caterpillar's Head," and three other antennae-bending mysteries puzzling the populace of Victorian Bugland.

Review Quotes

Praise for Trouble in Bugland and Double Trouble in Bugland

"Do not miss!"--Chicago Tribune

"In Trouble in Bugland, William Kotzwinkle delivers five fanciful short detective stories for children eight years old and up. . . . You don't have to be a bookworm to like Trouble in Bugland. All you need is a taste for fantasy and good humor."--Boston Herald

"Excitement and humor! Children who know Sherlock Holmes will most enjoy Trouble in Bugland. But even those who don't are likely to appreciate the book's sly mock seriousness and flights of rhetoric and imagination."--New York Times Book Review

"Fantastically entertaining....An homage to Sherlock that ably stands on is own two--or six--feet."--Booklist

"Kotzwinkle and Servello have created a little gem that should appeal to children of all ages. Bravo, Joe and Bill!"--Philadelphia Inquirer

"A first rate presentation!"--Detroit News

"Clever and suspenseful!"--School Library Journal

"Sherlock Holmes fans of all ages--and entomology nuts--must read Trouble in Bugland, a hilarious homage to Arthur Conan Doyle. Illustrator Joe Servello's handsome pictures in color and black and white are a grand accompaniment to Kotzwinkle's clever and playful stories."--Newsday

"The bizarrely fertile imagination of William Kotzwinkle takes off again in this collection. . . . These stories reflect Kotzwinkle's devilishly sly play upon the Holmes canon and its accompanying idiosyncrasies."--Booklist