From bestselling author and illustrator Eric Carle, the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, comes another classic tale about one very clumsy click beetle. A perfect gift to share with the child or grandchild in your life. When a little click beetle falls onto his back, he seeks the help of a wise old click beetle. "Look at me," says the more experienced click beetle, giving a loud CLICK and flipping onto its feet. But try as he might, the clumsy little click beetle just can't get the hang of it-or can he? In the tradition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Carle creates a winning story of perseverance and pride in achievement complete with an ingenious fiber-optic microchip that truly gives voice to the valiant little beetle as it CLICKs its way through the colorful pages and somersaults into your heart. Praise for The Very Clumsy Click Beetle: "Sure to be loved and requested again and again, Click Beetle is a well-crafted story, joyfully illustrated, that speaks to the hearts of young children."-Library Journal "At once stark and sophisticated, Carle's trademark collage art fills the pages of his latest Very volume."-Publishers Weekly "Carle's trademark artwork, featuring large, colorful collages set against expansive white space, is-as always-a strong attribute."-Booklist Editorial Reviews Praise for The Very Clumsy Click Beetle: "Sure to be loved and requested again and again, Click Beetle is a well-crafted story, joyfully illustrated, that speaks to the hearts of young children."-Library Journal "At once stark and sophisticated, Carle's trademark collage art fills the pages of his latest Very volume."-Publishers Weekly "Carle's trademark artwork, featuring large, colorful collages set against expansive white space, is-as always-a strong attribute."-Booklist - From the Publisher At once stark and sophisticated, Carle's trademark collage art fills the pages of his latest Very volume (The Very Quiet Cricket; The Very Lonely Firefly). The author's opening note explains that the persevering click beetle often lands on its back and is unable to right itself. By stretching, it releases a snap mechanism that makes an audible click and flips the beetle into the air, after which it lands on its feet--sometimes. Coached by a wise old click beetle and encouraged by a string of supportive animals ("Better luck next time.... Keep on trying"), Carle's stylized little beetle repeatedly attempts to maneuver himself off his back and onto his feet. The book's never-give-up message registers loud and clear, unlike the "Click" sound that youngsters may well expect each time this word appears as the beetle hurls himself back into the air. Rather, the computer chip (which has a replaceable battery) activates only once--to emit six clicks, during the beetle's climactic triple-somersault. (But if the reader flips the pages quickly, instead of turning them ceremoniously, unwanted clicks clack out.) Ultimately, the gimmick distracts from the story and does not enhance it. All ages. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. - Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly Pres-Gr 2-Carle's charming little hero gets stuck on its back and can't get up. An elder click beetle advises the youngster how to right itself, but it can't quite get the hang of flipping itself over on its legs. Encouraged to keep trying by a turtle, a snail, a worm, and a mouse, the small creature becomes more and more discouraged as it keeps landing on its back. When a curious boy starts investigating, the beetle becomes frightened and finally executes the perfect click and flip to land on its feet. The book features a clicking sound effect at the end, courtesy of a strategically placed microchip. Done in colored tissue-paper collage, the illustrations burst from the pages and are charmingly rendered. When the boy is introduced, readers see him from the beetle's perspective, as just two huge feet. Sure to be loved and requested again and again, Click Beetle is a well-crafted story, joyfully illustrated, that speaks to the hearts of young children.-Jane Claes, Texas Woman's University, Denton Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. - Library Journal Carle's bright, clunky collages always entrance children, and his latest-about a little beetle who can't seem to land on his feet-is no exception. - Weekly Editors Entertainment