The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs

Book review by Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media
The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

Garden fantasy casts a strange spell.

William Joyce Adventure 1996
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs is no gentle garden tale. The garden's fate is tied to the declining health of an elderly woman, the gentle bugs' efforts to save her lead to a fierce battle and the defeat of an evil queen. The characters in this picture book, originally published in 1996, are the inspiration for the animated film Epic.

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What's the Story?

As an elderly woman falls ill, her garden begins to wither, too. The mysterious Long-Lost Toy tells the concerned garden insects they must summon the Leaf Men to save her and the garden. The Spider Queen sneers that the Leaf Men aren't real, but the brave doodle bugs set out on their quest. The bugs soldier on through a storm and are nearly to their goal when the Spider Queen attacks. She's too late: The bugs summon the Leaf Men, who defeat the queen and her ant goblins. The Leaf Men then help the doodle bugs restore the garden and bring the Long-Lost Toy to the ailing old woman. When she awakes, she recognizes the toy from her childhood.
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Is It Any Good?

Author and illustrator William Joyce, the creative force behind the Guardians of Childhood series and Rolie Polie Olie, presents a fanciful tale of a magical garden and forgotten memories. The storytelling in THE LEAF MEN AND THE BRAVE GOOD BUGS is choppy and stilted, and sometimes just plain strange (and not in a good way).
But the book is enlivened by lush artwork. Whimsical touches -- such as the fireflies spelling out "get better" by the old lady's bed -- brighten the bittersweet tone. Joyce's illustrations are the type that pull kids in, inviting them to linger over details and search for clues to the story's ending. They're mesmerizing but also a little bit creepy. Some children will adore this book, but others will find it unsettling.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the garden bugs and their concern for the old lady. Why do they care so deeply about her?

  • Why are stories about bugs so popular? What other ones have you read or seen in movies?

  • The doodle bugs are "brave good bugs." Are bugs good or bad for a garden -- or a little of both?

Book Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love picture books and fantasy

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