I read this from school's library and kinda surprised with how interesting the book is.
It has unique premise, with beetle befriend human.
In this book, the story is about Marvin, a beetle, who start to do some collecting. Which is some kind of, hmm.. tradition for beetle? They would do some exploring and start collecting interesting stuff.
Marvin go collecting with his Papa, Aunt Albert, and Elaine, his cousin.
They started exploring the house of, I already forgot the family name, haha. James is their eldest child and Marvin is taking him as a friend.
I'd recommend this book for children above 6 years old. Or maybe for some practice reading.

My son and I enjoyed reading Masterpiece and the Miniature World of Marvin and James, so we were both excited to see this one on the new books shelf at the library. It was okay and still enjoyable, but the story did not have much substance, so it left us feeling a little disappointed.

I gave this book to my 10 year old lad to read, but he returned it saying it was too easy and not moving fast enough for him so "could I read it for him?"

It was a very simple read, intriguing enough to cause me to want to finish. i can see young readers enjoying this story along with the multitude of simple line drawings that help tell the story.

The story actually had a surprise ending, and both friends ended up helping each other.

Now.. if you are going for realism... this is not the book for you. The beetles are more human like in what they say and do and how they live than they are like.. you know.. real beetles. For but for early reader book... it works. :)

In fact as I sit here pondering this book I think...this would make a good book to read to talk with children about the differences between people and insects. And to see how sometimes that facts are discarded in the search for a tale to tell.