We caught up with U.K.-based debut author M. G. Leonard to discuss her new middle-grade adventure Beetle Boy, about some amazingly intelligent beetles and a brilliant boy named Darkus that bring together humor and real science.
What is Beetle Boy about?
Beetle Boy is a dark and funny adventure about a boy called Darkus Cuttle, who is searching for his father after he vanished from inside a locked room. Darkus makes friends with a special Rhinoceros beetle and together with a host of unusual companions, they uncover the secret behind his father’s mysterious disappearance, and find themselves battling a monstrous villain. Beetle Boy is about our relationship with other creatures in the natural world, the power of friendship, and bravery.
What drew you to write about Beetles?
Scared of insects growing up, I was late to the beetle ball. But, one day, whilst doing research for a short story, I typed the word beetle into Wikipedia. The door to the secret garden opened and I discovered the astonishing world of beetles. Beetles come in all shapes and sizes, have superhero-like skills, and are vital to our eco-system. I knew immediately that I wanted to write about them, and it occurred to me, if a brilliant adventure story about beetles had existed when I was a girl perhaps I wouldn’t have been so scared of insects.
Tell us about an American beetle?
A favourite beetle of mine, that you’ll meet in Beetle Boy, is the tiger beetle. They are one of the fastest insects on the planet, able to cover 2.5 metres in one second with their spindly legs. They’re so fast they can’t see whilst running, so sprint in short bursts and have giant bulbous eyes to orientate them when they stop. Bottle green in colour with six white spots on their elytra, the six-spotted tiger beetle is common in North America, living in woody places close to shady dirt paths and rotting logs. They are hunters, feeding on other insects, and are armed to the tooth with impressive looking weaponry: oversized vicious jaws for crushing and cutting prey, and mandibles like cutlasses with serrated edges.
How did you feel when The Bookseller (UK) compared to Roald Dahl?
It is a huge compliment to be compared to Roald Dahl. I have read all of his books and adore his riotous and irreverent stories. I think the chocolate factory is one of the greatest imaginative creations in all of children’s literature, and was delighted when George snuffed out his horrible grandmother with his marvellous medicine. I’d like to think Roald Dahl would approve of Beetle Boy.
Check out the book trailer for Beetle Boy below!
