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The Katy Bug Chronicles
Ever had to help your child find the courage to try something new? Show them how to face big fears in a giant world with this award-winning, heartwarming garden adventure!
Katy Bug is a tiny katydid with a very big worry. While her adventurous brothers easily leap through the tall grass to forage for food, Katy is far too terrified to take the leap. But when hunger strikes and her family needs her, Katy must find a way to brave the dangerous highway they must cross to get to their next meal. With the guidance of her wise brothers and the help of an unexpected ally, this little bug is about to discover that she is capable of giant things.
Beautifully illustrated by Joana Pereira, this gentle and reassuring story teaches young readers that being brave doesn’t mean you are never scared—it means taking the next step anyway. By watching Katy lean on the love of her community, children will learn how to trust mentors, navigate big feelings, and build lasting resilience.
Why Parents, Teachers, and Counselors Love This Book:
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🏆 Award-Winning: Winner of the prestigious Ella’s Way Award (2025) for promoting acceptance, kindness, and inclusion.
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🧠 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): An excellent tool for families and educators to discuss anxiety, bravery, and leadership.
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📖 Perfect For: Children ages 3–7 (Preschool to 2nd Grade). Ideal for bedtime reading, classroom circles, and emotional regulation lessons. On which pages does the red-tailed hawk appear? 🕵️♂️🐞 Check it out today!
Swept away from home? Turn fear into a tropical adventure! 🌻✈️🏝️
Ready for the ultimate escape? Hop along with everyone's favorite insect explorers in Katy Bug’s Island Adventure!
When Katy and her tight-knit katydid crew are unexpectedly swept away from their cozy sunflower home, they land smack-dab in the middle of a vibrant, mysterious tropical island. Instead of letting fear take over, these brave little bugs dive headfirst into the rainforest and the sea, proving that even the biggest, scariest changes can lead to magical new beginnings.
Why Parents & Teachers Love This Book:
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🧠 Powerful SEL Tool: Perfect for helping children navigate the anxiety of new school routines, big moves, or unexpected life transitions.
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🗣️ Builds Emotional Vocabulary: Models self-awareness so kids can easily identify anxious feelings and consciously transform fear into curiosity.
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🤝 Inspires Resilience: Teaches the value of teamwork, growth mindsets, and welcoming new cultures through the friends they meet along the way.
Whether you are looking for the perfect interactive classroom read-aloud or a comforting bedtime story, Katy Bug's journey will inspire your little ones to stand tall against change.
Can you spot Katy Bug's secret island ally? 🕵️♂️🐞 Find out today!
About Cathy Wallace
Cathy Wallace is an Ella’s Way award-winning children’s author and early literacy advocate. Following a 30-year career as a classroom teacher, Cathy now channels her understanding of child development into the vibrant Katy Bug book series.
Beautifully illustrated by Joana Pereira, these stories serve as powerful Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) tools. They are specially crafted to help young readers manage big emotions, navigate anxiety, and transform fear of the unknown into joyful curiosity.
Cathy loves exploring nature with her grandkids, being on the lake, visiting the magical island of St. Croix, and supporting community literacy initiatives including Little Free Library.
Join the Katy Bug Club
Join my email list and be a part of future children's books! I love to hear ideas from kids and incorporate them into my stories.
What Drives Me
I truly believe a good story is the shortest distance between a child and a brand-new adventure! My goal is to give teachers, parents, and grandparents meaningful books that spark curiosity and help kids find their inner courage. I write stories that inspire kids to try new things, chase their dreams, and become confident, quiet leaders.
The Spark Behind Katy Bug
Before becoming an author, I spent three wonderful decades as an elementary school teacher helping kids write their stories. The inspiration for my own book arrived on a road trip when my husband and I spotted a tiny, brave band of katydids crossing a highway.
Growing up, I was a kid who struggled to find my own bravery, so I knew this was a story I had to tell! I shared the very first draft with my fourth graders. They quickly became my toughest critics and biggest cheerleaders, helping me shape Katy Bug's Brave Adventure.
When I’m not at my writing desk, you can usually find me giggling and playing with my grandkids, tending to my garden, or weaving cozy baby blankets. I also love outdoor adventures, especially fly fishing on beautiful Northern California rivers, but my absolute favorite place to relax and recharge is the magical island of St. Croix!
Photographs of my Adventures
