Masterpiece by Elise Broach

A beetle that can draw reproductions of famous artist's work? It's a bit of a stretch, even for fantasy, but some might find it fun. Marvin is a beetle that lives in the home of James, a 10 year old boy. When his artist father gives him a pen and ink drawing set for his birthday, the beetle draws a picture with his front feet by dipping them in ink left in the cap. When his parents assume that James drew the picture, he ends up in an art museum being asked to reproduce a drawing by Albrecht Durer so it can be used in a plot to lure whoever has stolen the other drawings in the set. There are all sorts of attempts at human, insect communication and some excitement when the plan goes awry. The descriptions of insect family life are fun, also. Masterpiece by Elise Broach. Henry Holt and Company, 2008.