Joey the Bug is a
series of short stories that my son, Skyler,
and I create together. Often it will be
prompted by seeing Joey around the house or
yard and starting a conversation about events
that are currently happening in our lives.
Skyler enjoys coming up with ideas about Joey
and his adventures.
Click on a title to read a story.
Joey the Bug Gets a New Home
Joey the Bug Pinches
Joey the Bug at the Hospital
Joey the Bug is Mean
Joey the Bug Likes to Play
Joey the Bug
Click on a title to read a story.
Joey the Bug is Sad
Joey the Bug is Sad
by Skyler and Daddy
January 26, 2010
What is Joey the bug doing today? I wonder if he is hungry like me. I am very hungry. My belly wants food when I play outside so long.
What does Joey like to eat? Maybe he likes to eat cereal like me. I want to eat snow monster cereal. It tastes so yummy. Do we have some in the cupboard?
Joey also likes to hug his mommy and daddy. They give him great hugs. He is sad right now because his mommy is going on an airplane. Joey wants to play with his mommy.
What will Joey do when his mommy is far, far away? Maybe he will play with his daddy! They can do lots of things.
They can play outside.
They can play inside.
They can play at the park.
They can play anywhere!
Joey the bug will miss his mommy. When she comes back, he will give her a great, bug hug. He loves her very much. He doesn’t want to be sad.
I want to be happy and not sad. I want to play with my daddy, too. He is a fun daddy. We play all the time and act silly every day. I love him very much.
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to the dentist. He really likes the dentist. He gets to pick a little toy and gets lots of stickers. It is so much fun.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
January 26, 2010
What is Joey the bug doing today? I wonder if he is hungry like me. I am very hungry. My belly wants food when I play outside so long.
What does Joey like to eat? Maybe he likes to eat cereal like me. I want to eat snow monster cereal. It tastes so yummy. Do we have some in the cupboard?
Joey also likes to hug his mommy and daddy. They give him great hugs. He is sad right now because his mommy is going on an airplane. Joey wants to play with his mommy.
What will Joey do when his mommy is far, far away? Maybe he will play with his daddy! They can do lots of things.
They can play outside.
They can play inside.
They can play at the park.
They can play anywhere!
Joey the bug will miss his mommy. When she comes back, he will give her a great, bug hug. He loves her very much. He doesn’t want to be sad.
I want to be happy and not sad. I want to play with my daddy, too. He is a fun daddy. We play all the time and act silly every day. I love him very much.
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to the dentist. He really likes the dentist. He gets to pick a little toy and gets lots of stickers. It is so much fun.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug and the Spider
Joey the Bug and the Spider
by Skyler and Daddy
December 29, 2009
I see lots of clouds in the sky. They are big and look heavy. Maybe it will rain! I love the rain and the rainbows. They have lots of colors.
I’m a big boy and I like to climb things, like chairs, couches, tables, and my dad’s back.
Right now, I think I will climb the wall. It’s not a big wall. It’s just a small one, but I like it. It lets me see higher and farther away.
I can see the desert and the mountains. There is a big cactus. Those hurt if you touch them.
There is Joey the bug! He’s crawling on the wall. Should I pick him up? Yes, I will pick him up. I need to be careful, so I don’t squish him.
Now, there is a spider on the wall, too! It’s not a big spider. It’s just a small one, but I like it.
I will try to pick Joey the bug up now. He doesn’t like spiders. He likes me.
Joey is moving too fast! He is hiding in the crack on the wall. I can’t reach him. Maybe he is scared of the spider.
I will save Joey! I am blowing on the spider. Shoo spider! Stay away from Joey the bug! The spider is slowly moving away.
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to see his friends from far away. I hope he stays safe.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
December 29, 2009
I see lots of clouds in the sky. They are big and look heavy. Maybe it will rain! I love the rain and the rainbows. They have lots of colors.
I’m a big boy and I like to climb things, like chairs, couches, tables, and my dad’s back.
Right now, I think I will climb the wall. It’s not a big wall. It’s just a small one, but I like it. It lets me see higher and farther away.
I can see the desert and the mountains. There is a big cactus. Those hurt if you touch them.
There is Joey the bug! He’s crawling on the wall. Should I pick him up? Yes, I will pick him up. I need to be careful, so I don’t squish him.
Now, there is a spider on the wall, too! It’s not a big spider. It’s just a small one, but I like it.
I will try to pick Joey the bug up now. He doesn’t like spiders. He likes me.
Joey is moving too fast! He is hiding in the crack on the wall. I can’t reach him. Maybe he is scared of the spider.
I will save Joey! I am blowing on the spider. Shoo spider! Stay away from Joey the bug! The spider is slowly moving away.
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to see his friends from far away. I hope he stays safe.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug Gets a New Home
Joey the Bug Gets a New Home
by Skyler and Daddy
December 22, 2009
It’s fun to help my dad in the yard. I like to water the plants and kick the rocks off from the sidewalk. Be careful to not go near the street!
I found Joey! He’s crawling on the driveway. Maybe he will climb up my stick. No, he is hiding in the cracks. Why does he hide there?
He’s so cute. He crawls up my fingers. Ouch! He pinched me again. I better be careful. I want to hold Joey, but sometimes he gets mad and pinches me. Is he mean or nice? Maybe he is just being like a bug.
Joey the bug needs a nice home. My daddy is getting a box to put him in.
Oh, no! Where did he go? I lost him! Maybe he is under the dirt. Maybe he went to bug school. I better find him soon so I can put him in his new home.
I found him! He was hiding again. Joey the bug is so tiny and gets lost so easily.
Let’s help daddy make a home for Joey. He can’t just live in an empty box. What does Joey need in his home?
Does he like leaves?
Does he like dirt?
Does he like flowers?
Does he like little, tiny rocks?
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to see Santa bug and ask for lots of presents. He’s also going to see his family. That sounds like a great idea.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
December 22, 2009
It’s fun to help my dad in the yard. I like to water the plants and kick the rocks off from the sidewalk. Be careful to not go near the street!
I found Joey! He’s crawling on the driveway. Maybe he will climb up my stick. No, he is hiding in the cracks. Why does he hide there?
He’s so cute. He crawls up my fingers. Ouch! He pinched me again. I better be careful. I want to hold Joey, but sometimes he gets mad and pinches me. Is he mean or nice? Maybe he is just being like a bug.
Joey the bug needs a nice home. My daddy is getting a box to put him in.
Oh, no! Where did he go? I lost him! Maybe he is under the dirt. Maybe he went to bug school. I better find him soon so I can put him in his new home.
I found him! He was hiding again. Joey the bug is so tiny and gets lost so easily.
Let’s help daddy make a home for Joey. He can’t just live in an empty box. What does Joey need in his home?
Does he like leaves?
Does he like dirt?
Does he like flowers?
Does he like little, tiny rocks?
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to see Santa bug and ask for lots of presents. He’s also going to see his family. That sounds like a great idea.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug Pinches
Joey the Bug Pinches
by Skyler and Daddy
December 11, 2009
I see Joey the bug in the hallway! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. How are you Joey? Did you miss me?
Joey the bug is nice. I hope this isn’t the mean bug. I will pick it up.
It likes to crawl on my finger and even up my arm. It tickles!
Ouch! Joey the bug pinched me! He has little fingers that hurt me. He pinched me on my finger and on my arm. I don’t like that.
I am going to hurt Joey the bug, too. He hurt me. So, I am going to hurt him. I will push him done to the ground.
Joey isn’t moving. He hurt me and I pushed him.
Why did he want to hurt me? I just wanted to play with him. He wasn’t very nice.
Okay, now I want Joey to get up. He is so small and so slow. He won’t get up.
Joey, please get up! I want to play with you again. You like to crawl on my arm and I like to make houses for you. You are my friend.
Maybe I will go play outside now. Joey needs to rest. I’m sorry for pushing you down, Joey. Will you still be my friend?
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to school and then he will play with me again. I won’t push him down anymore. He is my friend.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
December 11, 2009
I see Joey the bug in the hallway! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. How are you Joey? Did you miss me?
Joey the bug is nice. I hope this isn’t the mean bug. I will pick it up.
It likes to crawl on my finger and even up my arm. It tickles!
Ouch! Joey the bug pinched me! He has little fingers that hurt me. He pinched me on my finger and on my arm. I don’t like that.
I am going to hurt Joey the bug, too. He hurt me. So, I am going to hurt him. I will push him done to the ground.
Joey isn’t moving. He hurt me and I pushed him.
Why did he want to hurt me? I just wanted to play with him. He wasn’t very nice.
Okay, now I want Joey to get up. He is so small and so slow. He won’t get up.
Joey, please get up! I want to play with you again. You like to crawl on my arm and I like to make houses for you. You are my friend.
Maybe I will go play outside now. Joey needs to rest. I’m sorry for pushing you down, Joey. Will you still be my friend?
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to school and then he will play with me again. I won’t push him down anymore. He is my friend.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug at the Hospital
Joey the Bug at the Hospital
by Skyler and Daddy
November 20, 2009
Where is my friend, Joey the bug? I like to play with him and tell him about my day. I like to hear about his day, too.
I found Joey! He was hiding in the backyard. He was shy because of grandma. She’s not at home right now. My grandma likes to read and play with me.
Oh, no! My dog ate Joey the bug! Now we have to get a new Joey the bug. Where can I find one? Where is the new Joey the bug? We need to find one now!
Is he at the grocery store? No.
Is he at school? No.
Is he at the circus? No.
Is he at the park? No.
Is he at the hospital? Yes he is!
The new Joey the bug is with my grandma at the hospital. He likes grandma. He reads books with her. They talk about the stories. She is very nice to him.
My grandma is sick right now. I want her to get better. I want to play with her. My grandma is fun and likes to make me laugh.
Grandma is going to get better. Joey is going to help her. They are friends.
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to come back to my house and play with me. Maybe he will share a book with me. I am happy that Joey saw my grandma at the hospital.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
November 20, 2009
Where is my friend, Joey the bug? I like to play with him and tell him about my day. I like to hear about his day, too.
I found Joey! He was hiding in the backyard. He was shy because of grandma. She’s not at home right now. My grandma likes to read and play with me.
Oh, no! My dog ate Joey the bug! Now we have to get a new Joey the bug. Where can I find one? Where is the new Joey the bug? We need to find one now!
Is he at the grocery store? No.
Is he at school? No.
Is he at the circus? No.
Is he at the park? No.
Is he at the hospital? Yes he is!
The new Joey the bug is with my grandma at the hospital. He likes grandma. He reads books with her. They talk about the stories. She is very nice to him.
My grandma is sick right now. I want her to get better. I want to play with her. My grandma is fun and likes to make me laugh.
Grandma is going to get better. Joey is going to help her. They are friends.
Tomorrow, Joey the bug has a big day. He is going to come back to my house and play with me. Maybe he will share a book with me. I am happy that Joey saw my grandma at the hospital.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug is Mean
Joey the Bug is Mean
by Skyler and Daddy
November 6, 2009
I see Joey the bug! I am so happy to find him again. He wants to play again. Maybe he wants to play in my sandbox again.
Let’s play in the sandbox with some toys. Joey the bug likes to crawl up my arm. Today he is crawling up my arm a lot.
Ouch! Joey just bit me. He is not a nice bug. He is a mean bug. Why does he want to hurt me? Stop that, Joey the bug!
Maybe this is not the same Joey the bug. It looks a little different. It has little pinchers that might hurt me. I think it’s a mean bug. I don’t like it very much.
Go away, mean bug! You hurt me. I want to pour water on you, but I won’t.
We need to be careful with bugs. Some of them are nice, but some of them are mean. I don’t like the mean ones.
I wonder where the real Joey the bug is. Is he at home or is he at school? Could he be out playing with his friends. He is my friend, too.
Joey must be hiding. I need to look for him. Is he under the chair? Is he under the table? Is he under the toy?
Tomorrow, Joey has a big day. He is going to the park. Maybe he will tell us about going down the slide and running in the grass.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
November 6, 2009
I see Joey the bug! I am so happy to find him again. He wants to play again. Maybe he wants to play in my sandbox again.
Let’s play in the sandbox with some toys. Joey the bug likes to crawl up my arm. Today he is crawling up my arm a lot.
Ouch! Joey just bit me. He is not a nice bug. He is a mean bug. Why does he want to hurt me? Stop that, Joey the bug!
Maybe this is not the same Joey the bug. It looks a little different. It has little pinchers that might hurt me. I think it’s a mean bug. I don’t like it very much.
Go away, mean bug! You hurt me. I want to pour water on you, but I won’t.
We need to be careful with bugs. Some of them are nice, but some of them are mean. I don’t like the mean ones.
I wonder where the real Joey the bug is. Is he at home or is he at school? Could he be out playing with his friends. He is my friend, too.
Joey must be hiding. I need to look for him. Is he under the chair? Is he under the table? Is he under the toy?
Tomorrow, Joey has a big day. He is going to the park. Maybe he will tell us about going down the slide and running in the grass.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug Likes to Play
Joey the Bug Likes to Play
by Skyler and Daddy
November 5, 2009
School is out. Work is out. It’s time to play! What should we do? It’s such a nice afternoon. The sky is blue and the birds are singing. Let’s turn on some music, too.
Joey the bug wants to join us. He is done with school, too. First, we need to do some yard work. It’s important to take care of our yard. Fixing things and cleaning things are fun to do.
Oh no! The dogs are getting too close to Joey the bug. They might even step on him! We need to pick him up and protect our friend. Let’s take him over to the table. Be careful not to squeeze him too much. Joey is very tiny and very soft.
Does Joey the bug like the sandbox? I wonder if he will like to play there. In the sandbox, we have lots of toys and lots of sand. Joey likes the blue bucket and the sea shells. He can play on the truck, too!
Joey the bug is really tired now and wants to go home to his family. His mommy and daddy are waiting for him. Where does his family live? They live in the sandbox! Maybe they live under the toys in the sandbox.
Tomorrow, Joey has a big day. He is going to spend time with his family and do some really fun things. Maybe he will tell us about his fun day.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
November 5, 2009
School is out. Work is out. It’s time to play! What should we do? It’s such a nice afternoon. The sky is blue and the birds are singing. Let’s turn on some music, too.
Joey the bug wants to join us. He is done with school, too. First, we need to do some yard work. It’s important to take care of our yard. Fixing things and cleaning things are fun to do.
Oh no! The dogs are getting too close to Joey the bug. They might even step on him! We need to pick him up and protect our friend. Let’s take him over to the table. Be careful not to squeeze him too much. Joey is very tiny and very soft.
Does Joey the bug like the sandbox? I wonder if he will like to play there. In the sandbox, we have lots of toys and lots of sand. Joey likes the blue bucket and the sea shells. He can play on the truck, too!
Joey the bug is really tired now and wants to go home to his family. His mommy and daddy are waiting for him. Where does his family live? They live in the sandbox! Maybe they live under the toys in the sandbox.
Tomorrow, Joey has a big day. He is going to spend time with his family and do some really fun things. Maybe he will tell us about his fun day.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
Joey the Bug
Joey the Bug
by Skyler and Daddy
September 22, 2009
Once upon a time - no, actually it was tonight - there was a bug floating on top of the water in the hot tub. His name is Joey. He is a tiny bug that likes to crawl. Joey can crawl up and down our fingers and the palms of our hands. Sometimes it tickles.
Will Joey bite you? No, he is a nice little bug that wants to be your friend. He won’t bite you. He just wants to crawl on you.
Joey the bug also likes to swim. He’s not a very good swimmer and slows down after a while. But, once he climbs upon your hand, Joey can begin to crawl and tickle some more.
The swimming and crawling around on fingers and hands makes him very sleepy. So sleepy, in fact, that he decides to take a rest outside of the hot tub. He sleeps for a very, very long time. When he sleeps, he doesn’t move at all.
Then, Joey suddenly wakes up! He starts to crawl away from the hot tub and into the dark. Where is he going? Should we build him a house? He doesn’t want to have a house made for him because he already has a home. Joey is going home to his mommy and daddy.
Tomorrow, Joey has a big day. He has to ride on the little bug bus and go to the little bug school. Maybe he will learn more about people.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
by Skyler and Daddy
September 22, 2009
Once upon a time - no, actually it was tonight - there was a bug floating on top of the water in the hot tub. His name is Joey. He is a tiny bug that likes to crawl. Joey can crawl up and down our fingers and the palms of our hands. Sometimes it tickles.
Will Joey bite you? No, he is a nice little bug that wants to be your friend. He won’t bite you. He just wants to crawl on you.
Joey the bug also likes to swim. He’s not a very good swimmer and slows down after a while. But, once he climbs upon your hand, Joey can begin to crawl and tickle some more.
The swimming and crawling around on fingers and hands makes him very sleepy. So sleepy, in fact, that he decides to take a rest outside of the hot tub. He sleeps for a very, very long time. When he sleeps, he doesn’t move at all.
Then, Joey suddenly wakes up! He starts to crawl away from the hot tub and into the dark. Where is he going? Should we build him a house? He doesn’t want to have a house made for him because he already has a home. Joey is going home to his mommy and daddy.
Tomorrow, Joey has a big day. He has to ride on the little bug bus and go to the little bug school. Maybe he will learn more about people.
Goodnight, Joey the bug. Sweet dreams. See you next time.
The End
