Meet Robert Stanek

Beyond Words. A Look at Robert Stanek's Books, Life & More.

Robert Stanek has written many children’s picture books that take place in a BIG little place called Bugville. The Bugville series includes about 100 books, such as "Explore the Solar System," "Every Day Is Different," "Play Their First BIG Game," and "Racing Super Buster Letters." The series has touched the hearts of over 1 million readers worldwide, and Robert has received letters to the critters from children across the globe.

The idea for the Bugville Critters came when Robert was searching for meaningful books for his own children. He found that many children’s books lacked substance and relatable lessons, which led him to create his own stories. The Bugville Critters are a diverse cast, each bringing unique backgrounds and life lessons to young readers, fostering understanding and learning in fun, relatable ways.

Whether it’s Lass Ladybug dealing with her step-family dynamics, Buster Bee navigating life with his stay-at-home mom and factory-worker dad, or Sarah Silkworm adjusting to her new home in Bugville USA, these characters resonate with kids from all walks of life.

Robert says, "I don’t have a preference for any particular type of book. I create what I love in the moment. The love of the craft drives me." This passion is evident in each Bugville book, where storytelling meets valuable life lessons.

Featured Children's Books

Twelve Dresses, One Star

A silly picture book about being who you are. "Twelve dresses, one star. Always be who you are."

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Pirates Stole My Booty

Set sail with Buster for epic adventures on the high seas. Buster’s dreaming of pirates and stolen treasure. Will Buster get his treasure? Or will his pirate foes win the day?

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Mamma Sea Turtle Lost Her Babies

When Mamma sea turtle can't find her babies, it’s up to two special friends to find them. Can they do it? Yes, they can, and they’ll encounter many colorful critters along the way.

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Praise for Robert Stanek's Children's Books

Follett Early Learning

A series of stories that address all major issues of growing up, featuring Buster Bee and Lass Ladybug. Combines facts about the natural world with instructive and entertaining fiction.

Foreword Magazine

Robert Stanek has a long list of best sellers, including technical publications and fiction for adults and teens. The bright, colorful illustrations are reminiscent of David Kirk's Little Miss Spider books and will captivate the young reader for whom the book is intended. This series, The Bugville Critters, helps children sort out real lessons about life, family, and the natural world.

The Audio Book Store

Robert Stanek is one of our most featured and respected Kids & Young Adults, K-12 Educators, and Kids authors.

Parenting Magazine

"Recommended Series"

Creating Picture Books for Children

Robert Stanek's approach to picture books is hands-on from concept to release. He shares, "Picture books are a misunderstood art, and I want to demystify the process by taking you from idea to print." The journey of creating a picture book like "Pirates Stole My Booty" involves several stages including drafting, sketching, coloring, and finalization.

Robert emphasizes the importance of pairing story text with illustrations, ensuring that each snippet fits cohesively with the visual elements. The process involves meticulous planning, with adjustments often required along the way. He notes, "When you're the creator, writer, and producer of an illustrated book, the creative process is substantial and different from traditional books."

From draft to rendering, each phase is crucial to achieving the final product, which includes adapting versions for different print formats and digital channels. Robert's dedication to the craft ensures that each book not only entertains but also educates and inspires young readers.

He concludes, "If you have the writer/illustrator bug, try it and let me know what you think! Your process may be similar or not—you decide, because that's what creative control is all about."

Thanks for reading,

Robert Stanek