The Accidental Diary of B.U.G.

For readers of seven-plus, Jen Carney’s The Accidental Diary of BUG (Puffin) introduces sparky eponymous heroine Billie Upton Green … This cheery, highly illustrated diary story, more rooted in contemporary reality than Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates books, is the first in a series that’s sure to find devoted fans. * The Guardian *A sparky, funny new series perfect for fans of Diary of A Wimpy Kid. * Daily Mail *Fun, funny, inclusive and warm-hearted, these books are pure, cheery joy * Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs *Ideal for fans of Tom Gates, or Pamela Butchart’s books … a wonderful new series. * The Week Junior, Book of the Week *I really enjoyed reading the adventures of Billie Upton Green (not Bug!!)! Billie is a delightful and relatable character, and her escapades are both funny and heart-warming. I particularly enjoyed the inclusivity in the text, and it’s a real joy to see such positive LGBTQ+ representation in children’s books. Jen has written a real treat for younger readers, and the artwork is fabulous, too! * L. D. Lapinski, The Strangeworlds Travel Agency *Readers will love Billie’s adventures, and her funny, doodle-filled way of sharing them, as much as they love the Dork Diaries or Wimpy Kid stories, and it’s great too to see such a warm celebration of diverse family life. * Andrea, LoveReading4Kids *

Jen Carney writes family life with warmth, nuance and a phenomenal eye for detail. Plus, she knows how to make kids laugh … and I mean totally unreserved roll-on-the-floor belly laugh. Billie Upton Green is a firm favourite in our house.

Carney’s lively, upbeat Billie is a welcome inclusive addition to the world of illustrated diaries. Her two mums feel like people I know, her weariness at explaining their existence just as familiar - and Billie herself is a treat, from her passion for biscuits to her determined pursuit of the school thief. Fun, funny, and deceptively clever.

The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. is immense fun and is the first book I have read in a single sitting in a long time! It’s warm, funny and has the best joke involving childbirth that you could put into a children’s book!

A brilliant, hilarious and heartwarming book! I’m pretty sure if I’d read this as a child it wouldn’t have taken me quite so long to understand and accept my own queer identity. Amazing for normalising same-sex parenting and adoption, completely laugh-out-loud funny and a feast for the eyes with lots of fun and engaging doodles. I loved it!

Jen Carney is an author-illustrator who lives in Lancashire with her wife and three children. She writes contemporary laugh-out-loud middle-grade fiction that celebrates diversity and modern families.