View source for Litterbug Doug (A Michael Recycle Adventure) by Ellie Bethel and Alexandra Colombo

{{infobox2
|title=Litterbug Doug (A Michael Recycle Adventure)
|author=Ellie Bethel and Alexandra Colombo
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A fun book with an environmental message. There's a strong sense of rhyme throughout and vibrant illustrations, which makes it all thoroughly enjoyable. Recommended.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1845394158
|pages=24
|publisher=Meadowside Children's Books
|date=February 2009
|aznuk=1845394151
|aznus=1845394151
|cover=1845394151
|website=http://www.michaelrecycle.co.uk/
}}

Litterbug Doug lives on a hill, just outside a beautiful town. His home is an absolute dump, with rubbish strewn everywhere, rats scurrying through the mess, and he won't tidy up his bloomin' bedroom. It's disgusting. Utterly utterly disgusting. His mess spreads and spreads and spreads and spreads. Thankfully, Michael Recycle is on hand to teach Doug the error of his ways.

''Litterbug Doug'' is a great reminder of the importance of recycling and tidying up. Michael Recycle gets all the townsfolk to help out with sorting out the tip that is Doug's home, and Doug becomes a reformed man. The plot is fairly predictable, but it's told in such a fun manner that you don't mind at all. There is a strong sense of rhyme throughout, which keeps the action ticking along at a fair ol' pace. Many books with a green message can sound preachy, but ''Litterbug Doug'' has the silliness of Doug's grossness front and centre.

Alexandra Colombo's illustrations have an enjoyable modern style to them. Doug's disgusting home is a joy to pore over, with all its grimy contents. You can count the rats, see what they're getting up to, and be grossed out at all the junk. It suits the mood of the book perfectly. The poem is the main star of ''Litterbug Doug'', but the illustrations support it and boost its impact, without overshadowing it.

The vocabulary is punchy and direct. Those on the cusp of reading for themselves will enjoy it most, given its length, but the rhyme will keep younger readers hooked. Whether you're reading it for its green message, or just as a fun story of someone who's a bit gross being reformed, there's plenty to enjoy in ''Litterbug Doug''. It's a fine addition to any young book fan's bookshelf. Recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

[[10 Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh]] is a great book with an environmental message for the young 'uns. For a gross character - a warthog this time - finding redemption, check out [[Stinky! Or How The Beautiful Smelly Warthog Found A Friend by Ian Whybrow and Lynne Chapman]]. Slightly older readers will love [[What's Eating You? by Nicola Davies and Neal Layton]].

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[[Category:Ellie Bethel]]
[[Category:Alexandra Colombo]]