Illustration of Doodle, Bug & Bear Press’s sketch-loving mascot, drawing at a desk with a smile—illustrating one of our rhyming picture books.

More than Just Rhyming Picture Books.

These aren’t just rhyming picture books or fun bedtime reads.

They’re designed to challenge and empower youth, build confidence, and invite kids to lead with their own autehnticity and creativity.

Picture Books for 1st Graders? Picture Books for 3rd Graders?
Yep. And Yes. And Absolutely.

Our books are built for early readers who are just finding their rhythm
—and independent readers who are ready to run with it.
They’re great for read-alouds with parents, classroom discussions with teachers, or quiet reading time with a flashlight under the covers.

Every title is packed with big ideas, bold vocabulary, and just enough weird to make your kids want to read it again (and again).

Teachers love them. Parents rely on them.
Kids? Now they help write them.

Bug & Bear Adventures

Cover of Becoming Bug, a children’s picture book about identity by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Amna Zaki, published by Bug & Bear Press.

Book One: Becoming Bug

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Cover of The Big Garden Gig, a children’s book about teamwork, helping others, and problem solving—written by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Amna Zaki.

Book Two: The Big Garden Gig

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Cover of The Should Sorter, a children’s book about choices, expectations, and anxiety—Book 3 in the Bug & Bear series by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Amna Zaki.

Book Three: The Should Sorter

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Cover of The Story Shapers by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Amna Zaki, featuring characters Bug, Bear, and Mouse standing on an open book—celebrating creative writing and interactive storytelling.

Book Four: The Story Shapers

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Cover of Faye’s Foil by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Amna Zaki, featuring a determined bug named Faye glowing with confidence as she walks away from a royal king and a missed target, symbolizing empowerment, emotional growth, and breaking expectations.

Book Five: Faye’s Foil

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Illustrated cover of “Painting Grace,” written by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Amna Zaki. The cover features Bug, Bear, and Grace the Butterfly who is holding a paintbrush and painting a new world of inclusion. The colorful garden scene features elements inspired by book six sketch-off winner Charleigh L., age 9.

Book Six: Painting Grace

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Hear it from Readers

Becki B. Woodbury

Such a wonderful children’s book series. It was fun to visit their social media page on Instagram, too. Love the concept that the author is using…participatory storytelling. Such a fun concept to include kids in the creative process!
Monica W.

When the book was delivered, I curled up and read it to our four-year-old neighbor boy. Great Story! Great Illustration, and most importantly he was hanging on to every work. His mom let me know when they got home, he wanted to hear it over and over!
Customer Review Designation

Fantastic book for kids with a very clever rhyme scheme throughout. Love the message of fun it gives, and the pictures are great too!
Cole C. Designation

Another fantastic story from Rebecca Young. Our 3 year old girls love this book and I have a lot of fun reading it to them (sometimes 2-4 times a night...)! We love both, Becoming Bug and The Big Garden Gig, and look forward to the release of book no#3 (hopefully soon!)

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