What a wholesome little punk rock tale told from the perspective of a rocking little ladybug! The rhymes are really cute and fun, and the tale reminds you to be yourself no matter how many people tell you to stop, eventually the right group will find you without you having to compromise what makes you <i>you</i>. The art is funky and fun, filled with adorable characters. Thoroughly recommended!

This was a very cute book. I also loved the illustrations. I feel as though our population of people would not be interested in it. I would recommend this to some of our bigger libraries.

“Jitterbug” by Kai Luftner is a quick moving rhyming story about loving music and loving yourself just the way you are; about developing the stuff you are passionate about. The little lady bug name Lady B Marie doesn’t like the simple quiet music of her parents generation. She rocks up the quiet woods with bouncy loud Hip Hop music. She loves it; the other meadow dwellers not so much. Lady bug Dad tries to persuade her to quiet down. Lady B Marie prevails, she becomes a star; her music loved by many. She feels validated.

As a book, there are a lot of words for a picture book. There are a lot of big words. This might really resonate with reluctant readers who want a picture book but should be reading longer chapter books.

Thank you to #Jitterbug #NetGalley and the publisher for a digital advance reading copy.

This story is about a little bug who likes to rock and how she does not fit in, but continues to share her love for music with others. While the art was cute, the story itself was not really my style, but I didn't find any major issues with it. Also, my galley was missing some illustrations (I hope, otherwise the blank pages will be a disappointment to kids who are engaging with the bright and colorful full-page art and suddenly just have blank pages with text.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.

This is a super cute book about being true to yourself. It’s heavier in text than I expected but the story is told in rhyme so is a fun, enjoyable read. The illustrations are bright and captivating. A great addition to any children’s book collection.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This is an adorable rhyming story about a little ladybug who is different from everyone else, making her a bit of an outcast in her community. I love that she doesn't care about that and continues being her weird self. I feel like that shows that conformity isn't all it's cracked up to be.

For the most part, the rhymes flowed really well, but there were a couple spots where the cadence was a little clunky and the rhymes were a bit of a stretch, but overall it had kind of a bouncing rhythm to it. While I was reading, I didn't realize that this book was translated into English from German (presumably), which actually makes those clunky spots and rhyme stretches make a lot of sense, and makes it more impressive that for the most part it flowed well.

My impression of the illustrations is that they were very pink, but like emo pink, muted pink, purplish pink. I just remember a lot of pink. My daughter would have absolutely loved them when she was like five.

Overall I give this book 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Looking for a cute picture book about accepting your differences and being who you are and not fitting into a box just because everyone else says you should? Jitterbug by Kai Luftner is the picture book for you. This cute book introduces us to our main character "Jitterbug" who is a Ladybug/ Ladybird. All she dreams about is being a rock star and playing loud music. The other bugs though laugh at her and tell her to be quiet and try to discourage her music as they just don't understand why she loves it the way she does. That is until another bug rock band comes to town and they hear her music and invite her to jam with them. Once this happens, her music fits in with theirs and soon an amazing rock melody is heard and the other bugs start to rock it out and everyone comes to love her music. Jitterbug is a good read to teach children as well to never give up on their dreams and that there is nothing wrong with being different and yourself as we weren't made to fit in boxes while we are alive. That comes when we are dead.
Jitterbug also has beautiful and fun illustrations thanks to Wiebke Rauers and is the perfect picture book for children aged 3-6 years old.

Thank you NorthSouth Books for a copy of Jitterbug by Kai Luftner in exchange for an honest review.

Jitterbug is an exciting picture book filled with bright colours and lots of details. It explores a range of emotions and there are many lessons to take away from it. This story was quite long, almost too long and I think it could have made just as much impact in half the pages.

While the illustrations were gorgeous, they sometimes were quite distracting and may make it difficult for younger readers to access.

From my young children:
Jitterbug is a hyper-exciting fantasy picture fiction book filled with bright colours, exciting details, emotions and lessons to learn.

Jitterbug wanted all the other insects from the forest to like her music but they thought her music was too noisy. So she found a super-cool rock band to sing with. Then all the insects started to like her music and learned to respect and accept different people and their personalities.

While the story was good we also noticed that there were a few tricky words that made the rhyming hard and that the background details and bright colours were a bit distracting. Even though the story seems short it is quite a long book to read.

We really enjoyed the message that the author gave us and also were really interested to see that the characters learned to be collaborators and communicators.

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., for accepting my request to read and review Jitterbug.

Author: Kai Lüftner
Published: 04/04/23
Genre: Children's Fiction

The illustrations are bright and cheery.

I was side-tracked, missing the point of the story. At the conclusion I was stymied. I kept looking at Jitterbug, and then the pieces began to click. The story was too long and far-fetched for me.

However, I do believe there is a market for this book, I just don't know it.

A fantastic story that teaches kids and adults always to be themselves. Visually this book is gorgeous.
Probably the best children’s book art I’ve ever seen. The colors pop, and I love the faded font.

A rock'n'roll ladybug? Yes, please! This is an adorable children's story that stars Lady B. Marie and her rocking guitar. Although her approach may be a bit too loud, she is able to overcome her obstacles and gives the concert of a lifetime for her insect friends. This was the cutest children's story I've read in a while, and I can't wait to share it with my niece--she'll love it.

This witty, rhythmic book with delightful illustrations sends the message that you shouldn’t be afraid to do your own thing.

Jitterbug is, quite simply, superb. I enjoyed every second of this picture book and I'm sure kids will too! The artwork is incredibly colorful and comes alive on the page. I was impressed with the rhymes and rhythm of the story. Most of all I appreciated the lessons it will teach kids: it's okay to be different, stay true to yourself, and you will find people who understand you just for being you!

This is such a fun, playful book! I adore the illustrations and the color palette! I love this message of being perfectly YOU! Yes, please! The font could be perhaps a bit bigger.

Thank you to the Publisher and to Netgallley for the eARC! Jitterbug is a cute story about a ladybug who makes a lot of noise. Instead of being quiet like others want her to be, she joins a band and rocks out. As a preschool teacher, I appreciated the exposure to rhyming the author provided throughout the story. I also enjoyed looking at the colorful pictures- I think young readers would be drawn to this book, especially if they are interested in bugs. I also liked the overall message of the story to do what you like, not necessarily what others want you to do- be your own person, and celebrate you!

This little book about a rocking ladybug with a BIG personality is absolutely wonderful.

Lady B. Marie, also known as the Jitterbug, just wants to make music. Unfortunately those around her are less than thrilled about the constant wail of guitar that drifts through the meadow. Never giving up, and honing her skills every chance she has, Lady B is quickly becoming a talented musician, always channeling her feelings into music.

So when a group of well known musicians wander into town looking for a quiet place to practice, they come across the wondrous melodies that the Jitterbug drifting through the air. Will Lady B finally find her place?

Thank you so very much to Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Such a cute book! Between the beautiful illustrations and the rhyming lines, comes a story of perseverance and strength. Lady B. Marie never gives up on her dream and neither should you.

Rockstar ladybugs! How cute! The 5-year old that I nanny will LOVE this book. I’m alternative with lots of tattoos and colored hair and I love to know that I’m enforcing the idea that everyone is unique and you should follow the best of your own drum. Books like Jitterbug help with that. It’s lovely that she found bugs who enjoy the same hobby as her and proved to the people around her who disliked her noise that it is worthwhile.

Fun rhyming book about being you without apology. Add a punk ladybug, rocking bug musicians and fantastic illustrations and you've got one of my favorite picture books this year!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun! Great rhyming throughout, good vocabulary, and colorful illustrations. I l9ve the message of the book - be true to you. This book is pure joy!