The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection

Chuck Whipplethorp has a lot to live up to. He is Charles Whipplethorp the Fifth after all, named after his seriously cool ancestors who were explorers, soldiers, and scientists. But one day Chuck looks at his stay-at-home dad, huddled over his laptop, and asks: "Dad...when I grow up, am I going to be as boring as you?" With a little help from his nurturing father, Chuck finds his own source of strength and individuality through creativity, and helps him to discover that "greatness" comes in many forms.

The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection offers a multigenerational family portrait with humor and tons of heart, while unpacking gender roles and acknowledging the universal hope young readers feel to belong and make a mark in the world.

“ "This delightful story highlights a warm, comforting, realistic son-father relationship... A charmer about finding self-confidence and one's place in a family."-- Kirkus Reviews”

Praise for Being Edie is Hard Today:
"Her mother's love that reminds her that being Edie is more than just all right."---Booklist, starred review
"This book will serve as a reminder to adult readers harried by kid antics that the comparatively small problems of youth should still be treated with kindness and empathy."---School Library Connection
"Edie's plight is identifiable to anyone who's ever been bullied or who sometimes finds everyday life a bit of a struggle."---Kirkus Reviews
"An interesting and subtle story about feelings and anxiety."---School Library Journal
Named one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children's Books of 2021

"'There's a lot to this story, which champions maker culture, charting one's own path, and changing gender roles, ' writes Publisher's Weekly. But it is sweet in its simplicity, too. Chuck will definitely make you chuckle."--Smithsonian Magazine

* "This delightful story highlights a warm, comforting, realistic son-father relationship... A charmer about finding self-confidence and one's place in a family."--Kirkus Reviews
"Brashares's wise, warm tale delivers a lesson about individuality, belonging, and progress without resorting to preachiness."--The Horn Book
"There's a lot to this story, which champions maker culture, charting one's own path, and changing gender roles."--Publishers Weekly

Ben Brashares is the author of the picture book Being Edie is Hard Today. He holds an MFA in creative writing and has written for magazine including Men's Journal and Rolling Stone. Ben lives in Montclair, New Jersey with his wife, three children, three cats and a dog.

Elizabeth Bergeland is the illustrator of Being Edie is Hard Today. She is also a fine artist with a BFA in painting from the University of Colorado who exhibits her work nationally. She lives with her husband and three children in a quirky old row home in Philadelphia.

Chuck Whipplethorp has a lot to live up to. He is Charles Whipplethorp the Fifth after all, named after his seriously cool ancestors who were explorers, soldiers, and scientists. But one day Chuck looks at his stay-at-home dad, huddled over his laptop, and asks: " Dad...when I grow up, am I going to be as boring as you?" With a little help from his nurturing father, Chuck finds his own source of strength and individuality through creativity, and helps him to discover that "greatness" comes in many forms. The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection offers a multigenerational family portrait with humor and tons of heart, while unpacking gender roles and acknowledging the universal hope young readers feel to belong and make a mark in the world.

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