The Beedog: An Insect Discovery in Portugal is a children’s educational picture book written by Addie Broussard and illustrated by Joyeeta Neogi. Cora and her friend, Manny, were all ready for a fun-filled day at Carvalho beach in Portugal. They had their beach towels, sand buckets and frisbees ready and waiting. Cora’s mom drove them to the beach where they marvelled at the beauty of the beach and the surrounding hillsides. Cora and Manny were having a grand time building a sand castle and playing when they suddenly discovered a strange insect that seemed to also be building a sand castle. Cora thought it looked like a bee, but she wondered about how its eyes were different, and the digging behavior was definitely strange. When they got home, they decided to try to find out what their little 'beedog' actually was.
Addie Broussard’s educational picture book for children, The Beedog: An Insect Discovery in Portugal, is a book filled with beach time fun that also teaches kids about travel to other countries and the different types of animals and insects one might encounter. I loved watching how Cora and Manny use their computer skills to research the beedog and identify it. Joyeeta Neogi’s illustrations are brilliant and lots of fun. From gorgeous views of sandy beaches to a whimsical picture of a bee holding a sand shovel, each panel is boldly colored and works to reinforce the story. The Beedog: An Insect Discovery in Portugal is an ideal selection for story time, but the print size and carefully limited vocabulary also make it a perfect choice for a new reader. It’s most highly recommended.