A Good Place
on Goodreads (486)
What’s inside...
Lucy Cousins’s picture book follows four insect friends—Bee, Ladybird, Beetle, and Dragonfly—who set out to find a new home filled with fresh flowers and peace. Their search takes them past a muddy farmyard, a busy roadside verge, a polluted pond, and a pesticide-sprayed orchard. At each stop they learn why a seemingly perfect spot can be unsafe for tiny creatures. Feeling discouraged, they meet Butterfly, who guides them to a vibrant rooftop window box where flowers bloom, chemicals are absent, and water is clean. Realizing that caring people can create safe habitats even in cities, the friends celebrate their discovery of “a good place.”
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Character compass
Bee
Dragonfly
Beetle
Ladybird
Discussion points
Why wasn’t the pond a good place after all?
How did the insects feel when each home failed?
What makes the window box different from the other places?
What can we do at home to help insects?
Which insect do you relate to most and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Take a walk and look for safe insect habitats together.
Plant a small pot of pollinator-friendly flowers after reading.
Create a ‘good place’ collage using images from magazines.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental responsibility
Explanation: The insects learn why certain spots are unsafe, linking safety to human choices.
Real-World Application: Children can pick up litter or plant pollinator flowers.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite setbacks, the friends keep searching.
Real-World Application: Keep trying new solutions when first ideas fail.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: They discuss and decide together at every site.
Real-World Application: Work with classmates on group projects respectfully.
Example Lesson: Critical observation
Explanation: The insects test each habitat before choosing.
Real-World Application: Look carefully and ask questions about surroundings.