Miniature World of Marvin & James, The

Marvin the beetle’s best friend James—a boy—goes on vacation and Marvin not only misses his friend but worries that James will forget about him. To pass the time, Marvin plays with his cousin Elaine, but they get trapped inside a pencil sharpener and Marvin must try to keep his cousin calm and figure a way out of the electric sharpener. Finally the pair escape, and James returns home and hasn’t forgotten his friend Marvin. This short and easy chapter book for beginning readers (K-2) would also be a good read-aloud book. The illustrations in the novel highlight the beetle's adventures and emotions.