2025 BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER in the PICTURE BOOK CATEGORY for ages 4-8 An inquisitive story about discovery, exploration and growth as only seven-year-old Emelia can show us. Emelia is a spunky seven-year-old girl who spends her summers at her grandparents' cabin in the wilds of Wyoming, a place where she and her siblings are free to explore, play, and learn about nature. But one morning, Emelia comes across a part of nature that she doesn't want to explore: A big, alien-looking beetle. Emelia's instinct is to stomp on the strange critter, but Ms. Z won't let her, and soon Gramma Jane has Emelia off on a special mission. With her bug book in hand and lots of critters to explore, it's up to Emelia to discover that everything has a purpose, whether we know it or not. Why Parents & Teachers Love It: Teaches kids compassion for other living beings Shares examples as to why bugs are important to the world Teaches kids that everything has a purpose whether we know it or not Book Extras: A discussion page sharing examples as to why bugs are good Teaches kids a method to safely remove a bug from their home environment Bright, colorful, and engaging illustrations Perfect for ages 6-8 ​​​​​​​About the Author: Written by Karen B. Shea, author and nature advocate. Based on a real life experience with her then 7-year-old neighbor.