Ruby and the Itsy-Bitsy (Icky) Bug

Ruby is an animal lover with one exception: bugs. So when a small creature shows up on her window one morning, she is anything but calm. Blowing on it, squirting it, and hollering at it do nothing to make it leave, and the standoff ends with Ruby sent to time out. Stuck indoors with hours to spare and a close view of the intruder, known as Mr. Yuck-bug, she starts to notice things she never expected. He is sturdy, he seems to be a good listener, and his little antennae are, reluctantly, a bit adorable.

By the end of the day Ruby has grown fond of him, and when night falls he looks different to her in a way she could not have predicted.

Allison Wortche and Sally Walker collaborate on this story, which shows how something unpleasant can become appealing once it is seen in a new light. It is aimed at young readers with big emotions and curious minds.