Despite trucks spraying areas to eliminate West Nile mosquitoes, bugs aren’t all bad. In fact, North Texas non-profits are promoting bugs for good this September.
Over at the Dallas Arboretum, the Autumn at the Arboretum’s signature display “Bugtopia” running from Saturday, September 18 through Sunday, October 31, will “come alive with larger-than-life insect topiaries, fascinatingly bugged-out pumpkin houses, and, of course, a maze for younger visitors.”
Another September buggy program is just made for the munchkins. In honor of the North Texas Food Bank’s late President/CEO Jan Pruitt, Jan’s Garden was created at the NTFB’s Perot Family Campus in Plano. While the garden “serves as a learning garden for the local community, where school groups and volunteers tend to a variety of fruits and vegetables,” it’s also provided the setting for the soon-to-be-released book “Hunger Bugs Me!”
Inspired by Jan’s own personality and dedication to hunger busting, the “book is an effort to create a conversation about the issue of hunger; making it easy for children to understand this complex problem.”
The main character Lady Bug and her playful pals “are sad and surprised to find out their friend Butterfly is hungry. The bugs quickly jump into action to visit Sage the Snail, who tells them that in order to help their friend, they must work together with Butterfly and the other bugs in the garden to make sure that no other bug goes hungry. The book ends with a conversation guide and ideas to help engage children in a discussion about this complicated issue.”
“Hunger Bugs Me!” not only shows children how they can be part of the solution but also provides downloadable resources including tips on how adults can be part of the conversation.
Due out in mid-September, pre-orders are available here. The sale of each book will provide 30 meals for North Texas residents in need.
* Graphic courtesy of Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ** Graphic courtesy of North Texas Food Bank