
A parent might reach for this book when helping a child navigate a situation that has grown bigger or more complicated than expected, or for a child simply fascinated by bugs. This humorous early reader tells the story of two brothers, Josh and Ben, who are thrilled with their new pets: two giant hissing cockroaches. Their excitement turns to shock when they discover their two pets have become hundreds. The story follows their comical, trial-and-error attempts to solve their buggy problem. It’s a lighthearted look at responsibility, teamwork, and creative problem-solving, perfectly suited for newly independent readers ages 6 to 8.
N/A. The book is a straightforward, humorous story with no sensitive topics.
A newly independent reader (ages 6-7) who loves funny stories, animals, or nonfiction facts about bugs. It's also an excellent choice for a child who tends to get overwhelmed by large tasks, as it models breaking a problem down and trying different solutions without giving up.
No preparation is needed. The book can be read cold. The text is simple and the plot is easy to follow. A parent might anticipate a follow-up conversation about insect life cycles or a request for a bug-catching kit. A parent has noticed their child getting easily flustered or saying "I can't do it!" when a project or chore becomes bigger than they anticipated. Or, a child has a budding interest in entomology and unconventional pets.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA 6-year-old will focus on the funny, core problem: too many bugs! They will enjoy the visual humor and the simple cause-and-effect of the plot. An 8-year-old might pick up on the more subtle themes of responsible pet ownership, supply and demand (at the failed stoop sale), and finding community resources (the museum).
Unlike many early readers about pets that focus on common cats and dogs, this book's use of hissing cockroaches is unique and immediately grabs a child's interest. It distinguishes itself by framing a lesson in creative problem-solving and responsibility not as a heavy moral, but as a hilarious logistical challenge.
Brothers Ben and Josh receive two giant hissing cockroaches, Napoleon and Josephine, as pets. They are fascinated by their new insect friends until they discover the tank is suddenly teeming with hundreds of baby cockroaches. Overwhelmed, the boys must figure out what to do with the surplus. They try to sell them at a stoop sale with no success. Their final, successful solution is to donate the cockroach colony to the local science museum, which is thrilled to accept them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.