Bugged and Brilliant: A Journey of Design, Discovery, and Helping Friends

By Deann Poleon

The forest is full of wonder, adventure, and endless possibilities, but even the most magical places have problems that need solving. In Bugged and Brilliant, "bugs" are more than the tiny creatures that crawl through the forest-they represent the everyday challenges that inspire us to think differently, create boldly, and help those around us.

Meet Dee, a curious and compassionate young innovator who believes every problem is an opportunity to learn. When a friend needs help, Dee doesn't wait for someone else to solve it. Instead, she asks questions, brainstorms ideas, tests solutions, and uses design thinking and basic coding concepts to create something meaningful. Along the way, readers discover that mistakes aren't failures-they're an important part of learning, growing, and improving.

Written by educator Deann Poleon, Bugged and Brilliant combines engaging storytelling with age-appropriate STEM concepts, introducing young readers to computational thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in a fun and approachable way. More than a story about innovation, it celebrates empathy, perseverance, and the power of working together to make a difference.

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, makerspaces, and bedtime reading, this inspiring story encourages children to see themselves as thinkers, creators, and changemakers. Whether they're solving a classroom challenge, helping a friend, or dreaming up their next big idea, Bugged and Brilliant reminds readers that even the smallest acts of kindness-and the smallest ideas-can have an extraordinary impact.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HC6BX3PW
• ISBN13: 9798906004086
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: X-Factor Edu
• Length: 46 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7