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Love Bugs by David A. Carter is a cute and corny book meant for children ages 4-9 However, it can make an adorable gift for anyone. The book comes in the shape of a heart. It's a pop-up book, which is always fun and entertaining to flip through regardless of your age.

Certain packages containing this book are sold with five beanbag dolls. I found this book at Barnes & Noble sold only with the dolls, and the price was the same $6.99 that the book is supposed to sell for.

THE BOOK
Love Bugs spans just 10 pages, giving one pop-up scene for every two pages. A 4-line rhyme is written on both pages, splitting the rhyme with two lines on each page. The first scene is a bunch of little Cupid Bugs in the clouds, shooting their arrows at a heart on a pillow in the center. The rhyme in this scene reads, "Cupid bugs are everywhere... shooting arrows through the air." The second scene is a group of hearts with the Love Bug in the center. The rhyme here reads, "About one thing I have no doubt... The Love Bug'll bite you if you don't watch out."

The center page of the book has the coolest pop-up scene. There are two colorful Kissing Bugs hugging and kissing. This rhyme reads, Being in love means lots of hugs... especially for kissing bugs." The fourth scene is 11 Chocolate Bugs on a heart doily, in which the rhyme reads, "I love you so much I really can't eat, but maybe you're hungry so sweets to the sweet." The fifth and final scene is a dozen Rose Bugs with a rhyme that reads, "Because I love you as I do... A dozen Rose Bugs just for you. Will you be my Love Bug?"

Clearly, the book is designed to be cute. It is very juvenile, so it's probably better as a gift for a child. However, it can make an adorable gift for anyone with a child at heart. If you know someone who likes ladybugs, this would be a great gift for them because the Love Bugs are shaped like ladybugs.

The pop-up designs are really quite intricate. The colors are vibrant in every scene. The pop-ups are rather large, which was surprising for a book that is only about 4" X 4". Some of the pop-ups raise nearly 4 inches from the base of the page.

The pages are made of a glossy, durable paper, which are strong enough to support the pop-ups. This book had been read many, many times, and nothing has been torn or worn. The cover is made from a thick, strong cardboard material. The front cover is decorated in regular printing and foil.

THE DOLLS
There are five Love Bug beanbag dolls that come with this book. Two are ladybug-esque creatures that are true beanbag dolls. They are about 4.5" long and 2" tall. These two dolls lie flat on their stomachs.

The other three dolls are a little more stiff. Two are dressed as bumblebees and the third is all red. Each have antennae with hearts at the tips. All three are in an upright sitting position.

All of the dolls are more for decorating a desk or dresser for an older person. However, I'm sure that a younger child would have a lot of fun playing with these dolls.

OVERALL
Love Bugs makes a great gift. It has the book and dolls, which will keep a younger person entertained for hours. Since there is no specific mention of Valentine's Day in the book, you can give this gift to anyone for any occasion- or for no occasion at all.

At just $6.99, you can't go wrong. For less than the cost of a movie ticket, you can really brighten someone's day with this fun and unique gift.

Learn more about this author, Candice Cain.
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