A Funny Picture Book About Fears, Friendship, and Looking at Bugs a Little Differently
Author and Illustrator: Starrla Cray
Age range: 3+ years
Year: 2026
My daughter is officially in the era where a tiny garden bug is either the most fascinating creature on earth or the reason for a total backyard meltdown. There is absolutely no in-between! Navigating those sudden, intense fears requires a lot of patience and sometimes, a really good sense of humor. That is exactly why Yikes! It’s a Creepy-Crawly! made me smile.
In this adorable robot adventure, Zinc and Cobalt meet a brand-new friend named Neon. Everything is going great until a creepy-crawly critter decides to say hello. Neon is not impressed. To him, the bug is creepy. It is crawly. It is completely unacceptable.
As Neon reacts with growing alarm, his robot friends help him take a closer look at the situation. Could the little critter actually be friendly? Could fear be making the bug seem scarier than it really is?
The story unfolds almost entirely through lively dialogue, giving it a fun, playful feel that reminded me of the books young readers love to read again and again. The conversations are full of humor, personality, and the kind of dramatic reactions children instantly recognize in themselves.
Reading it aloud is especially fun. This is definitely a book that deserves your most dramatic robot voices.
Why you need this book
- Turns a common childhood fear into a fun adventure
- Encourages curiosity instead of avoidance
- Helps children talk about big feelings in a gentle way
- Funny dialogue keeps young readers engaged
- Positive friendship and problem-solving themes
- Includes interesting facts about ladybugs
- Perfect for preschool and early elementary readers
Try this at home or in class
Play “Bug Detective.” After reading, invite children to choose a bug they find interesting or maybe even a little scary.
Look up three fun facts about that bug together and draw a picture of it. Then ask, “What makes this bug special?” and “Would it be less scary if you understood it better?”
Sometimes learning a little more about something is the first step toward feeling a lot braver.
Yikes! It’s a Creepy-Crawly! is a sweet, funny read for children who love robots, enjoy silly stories, or occasionally have strong opinions about unexpected insects.
If your child enjoys Zinc and Cobalt’s adventures, be sure to check out the first book in the series as well. While Yikes! It’s a Creepy-Crawly! works perfectly as a standalone story, reading both books gives young readers even more time with these lovable robot friends.
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