Evans The Little Adventures of Erig the Earwig

1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-83615-043-5
Verlag: Grosvenor House Publishing
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 6 - ePub Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 137 Seiten

Discover a world of tiny wonders in this enchanting and creative children's book about insects and nature. Follow Erig, a curious and brave little earwig, and best friend Bob, the clever copper beetle, as they embark on delightful adventures within the Long Garden. From daring rescues to discovering the beauty of nature, Erig and Bob's escapades are filled with excitement, friendship, and lessons about the natural world. Their exciting journeys include participating in the dandelion flying competition, uncovering the hidden world of stick insects, solving the mystery of the lost whirligig beetle, and sailing across the Ornamental Pond under the magical glow of a full moon. Beautifully illustrated by Lucy Fleming, these fun and whimsical stories are perfect for bedtime reading, gently educating children about various insects and why these creatures are vital to our planet. Join Erig, Bob, and a host of memorable characters to see just how big the world can be for tiny insects.

Dr. Andy Evans is a nature enthusiast whose love for the outdoors and reading began in his childhood. He earned a PhD in Software Engineering and worked as a lecturer before founding a successful software business. Now an investor and mentor in tech startups, Andy lives in Sheffield, UK, with his family. His role as a carer for his son Michael, who is on the autism spectrum, and the arrival of his granddaughter rekindled his passion for storytelling. This children's book marks his debut in children's literature, blending his love for nature and creative writing.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Evans, Andy

Leseproben

The Dandelion Flying Competition
Erig the earwig wasn’t just any ordinary earwig. Erig was an earwig who things happened to. Often they were fun things, sometimes they were a little scary, but they were almost always an adventure! Erig lived under a log, at the edge of the Long Garden, which belonged to the Old House. The little earwig would often be found going on walks, thinking about the things that earwigs like to think about. One of the places that Erig particularly liked to walk along was a log. To Erig, logs were especially exciting as you never quite knew where they were going to take you. Some logs were short, some logs were long, and those in between were neither short nor long, but where they might take you was just as intriguing. One bright spring morning, whilst walking along a particularly interesting in-between sort of log, Erig was surprised by a sudden and unexpected noise. It was so surprising that Erig jumped right up into the air, and tumbled right off the log! Now, when an earwig falls off a log, there’s only one thing it can lead to, and that’s an adventure! And whenever an earwig starts an adventure, what do they say…? ‘Earwigo again,’ of course! Luckily, Erig landed on some nice, soft moss, and after getting all six legs back in order, looked round to see where the sudden and unexpected noise had come from. ‘Bother!’ exclaimed a nearby voice. Turning around, Erig saw a number of little legs furiously jiggling in the air. Erig asked the legs if they needed any help. ‘Well,’ replied the legs, ‘I am somewhat horizontally challenged right now.’ ‘Horizontally challenged?’ asked Erig. ‘I’m upside down,’ explained the legs. ‘However, I believe I can rectify the situation!’ The legs started swinging vigorously from side to side, and with a big heave-ho, the owner of the legs flipped over. Standing the right way up in front of Erig, with a shy smile, was a small copper-brown beetle. ‘That was a most challenging reorientation,’ said the beetle. ‘I’m Bob, by the way.’ ‘Hello Bob, I’m Erig,’ said Erig with a friendly wiggle. If you don’t mind me asking, why were you upside down?’ Bob shuffled his feet and his antennae drooped a little. ‘It happens now and then I’m afraid, due to a leg deficiency. I’ve got a missing leg, you see.’ Then the little beetle perked up and said, ‘But it’s best not to let it be a bother, especially when there are so many places to go, things to do, and friends to see. Plus, having five legs is only one less than six!’ ‘I couldn’t agree more,’ said Erig in return. ‘So, where are you going today?’ ‘Have you heard of the dandelion flying competition?’ said Bob. Erig hadn’t, but was intrigued to know more. Bob explained that at this time of year, when the dandelion heads were at their fluffiest, there was a special competition in the Wildflower Meadow. The challenge was to see who could fly the furthest, by holding onto a dandelion seed and jumping off the top of the dandelion. Erig said that it sounded very exciting indeed. ‘It most certainly is!’ said Bob enthusiastically. ‘If you get a good vertical uplift, you can achieve a remarkable horizontal displacement!’ He paused when he saw Erig’s puzzled face and added, ‘You can fly quite a long way!’ ‘Why don’t you come along with me and see for yourself ?’ Naturally, Erig was more than happy to accept Bob’s kind invitation, and so off they went. It was a lovely day for a walk through the lush green grass in the Long Garden. Bob led the way, pattering through the undergrowth with Erig wiggling alongside. ‘So, how many times have you flown on a dandelion seed?’ enquired Erig. ‘Not many times at all,’ replied Bob, sadly. ‘In fact, not ever at all. You see, it’s a challenge for me to get to the top of a dandelion. I’ve tried all sorts of approaches. You name it: a push from behind; standing on top of my cousin Bert. It always ends up with me stuck at the bottom of the dandelion and the seeds still on top!’ ‘Well, if we put our antennae together, I’m sure we can think of a way,’ said Erig encouragingly. They continued across the Long Garden, past the Great Oak tree, down by the Babbling Brook, until they came alongside the Ornamental Pond. As they approached the water’s edge, they were amazed to see and hear all the activity that was going on in and around the pond. Pond skaters zipped this way and that; damselflies hovered in mid-air; bees buzzed around golden water lilies; and a harmonious hum filled the air as numerous insects revelled in the warmth of the spring day. Turning the corner, they suddenly came upon a large red dragonfly staring down at them from a long overhanging leaf. Erig jumped, which then made Bob jump too! ‘Don’t worry,’ whispered Bob to Erig. ‘It’s the Great Red Dragonfly. She isn’t as scary as she looks.’ ‘So,’ said the dragonfly, in a deep—and in Erig’s opinion—very scary voice, ‘where are you two journeying to today?’ ‘Well,’ began Bob, taking a deep breath, ‘it’s all to do with the necessary traction required to ascend a steep vertical incline—’ Erig politely interrupted to explain that they were trying to find a way for Bob to compete in the dandelion flying competition. ‘Hmm…’ said the dragonfly. ‘Perhaps I might be of assistance. Let me think.’ Erig and Bob waited in anticipation as the Great Red Dragonfly pondered their problem. Eventually, she said, ‘Sometimes, in order to solve a problem, you need to look at it from a different point of view. If you cannot get to the place you wish to go, why not make the place come to you?’ At which point, the Great Red Dragonfly unfurled her iridescent wings and flew away, a blur of motion against the morning sunlight. ‘Gosh,’ said Erig. ‘I wonder what she means?’ And with mystified expressions, Erig and Bob carried on their way. When they arrived at the Wildflower Meadow, they were met by a forest of tall, fluffy dandelion heads gently swaying in the breeze. Nestled underneath, they found excited crowds of insects of all shapes and sizes, enjoying their day out. There were little stalls offering tasty things to eat, from juicy berries to pollen pies, and picnic rugs all laid out with delicious-looking feasts. A general buzz of anticipation filled the air, as the insects eagerly awaited the start of the competition. ‘Look,’ pointed Bob. ‘There’s last year’s champion, about to ascend!’ Watching closely, they could see a shiny, green buzzy bug climbing confidently up the tallest of the dandelions. When she reached the top, she took hold of a dandelion seed, gave the crowds a bright smile and an energetic wave, and jumped! It was a sight to take your breath away. She glided gracefully over the cheering crowds and landed nimbly in the far corner of the field. ‘Amazing, I think she’s broken her record from last year!’ said Bob admiringly. He sighed. ‘I’d do anything to be able to fly like that. But those dandelion stalks are just too steep for me to climb. It is a conundrum!’ ‘There’s only one way to solve this problem,’ said Erig in a determined voice. ‘We need to find a log!’ Bob looked puzzled. ‘A log?’ ‘Yes,’ said Erig. ‘The best ideas always happen when you’re walking along a log.’ They made their way onto a nearby log with a flat top and little knobbly bits. Erig explained that it was a case of walking up and down until the right idea came along. ‘Sometimes it happens quickly, and sometimes it’s when you aren’t quite expecting it, but one usually appears eventually.’ The two insects began pacing up and down, their antennae wiggling, looking for inspiration. Just then, who should drop by, dangling from a silk thread, but Sunny the spider, one of Bob’s friends. Seeing Sunny suddenly sparked the idea they had been searching for. ‘I think I know how you can reach the dandelion seed,’ said Erig. ‘Me too!’ exclaimed Bob. ‘It’s like the Great Red Dragonfly said—make it come to me, rather than me going to it.’ Can you guess what their idea was? Erig and Bob explained their plan to Sunny, who was more than happy to help, and together they made their way over to the fluffiest, tallest dandelion in the meadow. The nimble spider gracefully climbed up the dandelion stalk, where she expertly spun a silken rope. She secured the rope to the top of the stalk and gently lowered the rest of it to the ground below. By this time, quite a crowd of insects was gathering to see what was going on. Erig beckoned them over and asked them if they would help too. Everyone got in line, and enthusiastically started pulling on the silken rope. Soon, they had bent the dandelion down to the ground, right beside Bob. Bob took hold of a dandelion seed, and Erig, turning to the rope-pullers, said, ‘Right everyone, let the rope—’ Erig was about to say ‘out slowly,’ but the insects, who were rather over-excited by this point, had already let go of the rope! BOING! Up flew the dandelion, with Bob holding on to the seed very tightly. My, what rapid acceleration! Bob thought as he was catapulted into the air. I wonder how strongly this seed is attached to the dandelion? he...