Tag Archives: Insects

Elem. – Habitats: A Journey in Nature

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Pang, Hannah. Habitats: A Journey in Nature. Illustrated by Isobel Lundie. 360 Degrees, 2024. 978-1-944-53041-9. $18.99 Unpaged. Grades K-3.

This book showcases six habitats of the world with illustrations spread across uniquely designed ‘layers’ of pages. This especially is helpful in visualizing the concepts of layers of these habitats. For example, the layers of the rainforest shown are emergent layer, canopy, understory, and forest floor; and the animals are often unique to one layer. Each layer and each animal is briefly described, and readers can locate the animal in the full-page illustration. The information varies, but a sense of enthusiasm carries the book front to back. Examples are “the guanaco has thick skin on its neck to help protect it from the sharp bite of a predator!” and “Despite its armor plating, the nine-banded armadillo can swim well, holding its breath for up to six minutes when underwater!” The book does not include page numbers or index.

THOUGHTS: This is an effective addition to the understanding of various habitats and the variety of living within habitats. It could serve as an excellent jumping-off point for research into the individual animals or habitats.

577 Habitats

Elem. – Home is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly

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Pryor, Katherine. Home is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly. Worthy Kids, 2023. 978-1-546-00313-7. $17.99. 40 p. Grades K-3.

Every year as fall descends on North America, monarch butterflies migrate to their winter home in Mexico. Though this generation of butterflies has never been to Mexico, they instinctively know the path toward their mountain forest winter-home. The monarchs’ journey is detailed in this gentle nonfiction picture book. As the butterflies head south they encounter difficulties including bad weather and stretches of green where no nourishing flowers exist. Some individual butterflies do not make it to their final destination. When the swarm arrives they expect to find a forest, but the trees have been stripped. In the distance the monarchs spot a flicker of orange in a grove of trees and recognize they have found their ancestral home. The butterflies will be safe here until the next generation of monarchs begin the first leg of the journey north in the spring. Bright and beautiful illustrations by Ellie Peterson depict the 3,000 mile journey with incredible detail. End pages include drawings of the anatomy and life cycle of a butterfly, as well as a map of the migration path. Also included are child-friendly explanations of the threats faced by the monarch population and ways to get involved to help save the monarchs and their habitats. 

THOUGHTS: The simple yet detailed explanation of the migratory pattern of monarch butterflies will be appealing to younger elementary aged students. 

595.78 Moths and Butterflies

Elem. – What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? and Other Questions About Moths and Butterflies

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Ignotofsky, Rachel. What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? and Other Questions About Moths and Butterflies. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-593-17657-3. 40 p. $18.99. Grades K-3. 

Although libraries may already have several titles about the life cycles of butterflies, this book stands out thanks to its stunning illustrations and visually appealing layout. Simple sentences compare and contrast butterflies and moths and share interesting information, such as the fact that these animals have been flying the earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Clearly labeled diagrams explain the four life stages of butterflies and moths: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. Additional descriptions also walk readers through the changes that occur inside a butterfly chrysalis and a moth cocoon. Full-page images of the animals’ anatomy highlight their similarities and differences, and captions describe how their wing patterns help the insects camouflage themselves or confuse potential predators. Readers will linger over the beautiful illustrations, featuring many shades of green, yellow, and orange. Varied typefaces, labels, and speech bubbles break the text into easy-to-digest segments. The final page features suggested extension activities such as visiting local national parks to find out what kinds of butterflies and moths live nearby, adding plants to your yard to attract pollinators, and visiting a natural history museum to see butterfly and moth specimens up close. 

THOUGHTS: This is one of the most eye-catching nonfiction titles I’ve ever seen. Not only will readers return for the poster-quality illustrations, but they will also be hooked by the inviting and conversational textual layout. 

595.78 Moths and Butterflies 

Elem. – Gustav is Missing! A Tale of Friendship and Bravery

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Zuill, Andrea. Gustav is Missing! A Tale of Friendship and Bravery. Random House Studio. 2023. 978-0-593-48747-1. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Little Cap lived with his best friend, Gustav, in a safe, cozy home. Little Cap needs to have a  safe place because the world is full of very scary things. Unfortunately, someone left the gate open and Gustav goes missing! Little Cap must be brave to find his best friend. He may meet dangerous people and places along the way, but Gustav needs to be found. Little Cap sets out to find Gustav, so they can come home and be safe!

THOUGHTS: This adorable mushroom book about bravery, courage, and facing your fears is fantastic. Despite the scariness of Little Cap’s world, being brave can lead to a new adventure and friendships.

Picture Book

Elem. – Transforming Animals (Series NF)

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Gieseke, Tyler. Transforming Animals. Abdo, 2022. $21.95 ea. $131.70 set of 6. 24 p. Gr. K-2. 

Turning into a Butterfly. 978-1-098-24114-8.
 Turning into a Dragonfly. 978-1-098-24115-5.
 Turning into a Fish. 978-1-098-24116-2.
Turning into a Frog. 978-1-098-24117-9.
Turning into a Jellyfish. 978-1-098-24118-6.
Turning into a Newt. 978-1-098-24119-3.

The ability of animals to transform and grow has been a source of fascination to people of all ages for centuries. The Transforming Animals series explores the life cycle processes of six common creatures. This reviewer had the opportunity to examine the Turning into a Butterfly volume. The text takes readers on a journey of the life cycle of the butterfly–from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterfly. Each spread includes high-quality close-up photos of each stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. QR codes within the book allow readers to access a video, additional information, useful links and activities. Back matter includes a Making Connections page and a glossary. 

THOUGHTS: This series would be a worthwhile addition to any library serving primary age students. The life cycle of each animal is clearly and simply explained. Characteristics of each animal are also identified and explained. The supplemental material available via QR code is high-quality, and the activities easily could be incorporated into classroom science lessons. Highly recommended.

570s; 590s Insects, Animals           Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – Hello, World! Kids’ Guides (Series NF)

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McDonald, Jill. Hello, World! Kids’ Guides. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2022.  $15.99 ea. $63.96 set of 4. 32 p. Grades K-4.

Exploring Sharks. 978-0-593-56481-3.
Exploring the Solar System. 978-0-593-48204-9.
Exploring Dinosaurs. 978-0-593-56820-0. (available in 2023)
Exploring Insects. 978-0-593-56823-1. (available in 2023)

This nonfiction selection tours our solar system beginning with the sun. The eight major planets and the known dwarf planets are covered. Each planet has a two-page spread with fun facts, a footer indicating the location of the planet in relation to the rest of the solar system, and a sidebar with statistics. The sidebar info-panels give the size, distance, temperature, length of day and year, and number of moons for each planet, in a consistent and organized format. The text is simple but has enough interesting information to keep young readers intrigued without being overwhelmed. Each spread includes a thought-provoking discussion question. Delightful, bold, brightly colored  illustrations add to the fun on this engaging trip through the solar system.

THOUGHTS: A very well organized informational text with plenty of intriguing facts for early elementary students. Varied fonts and the whimsical illustrations give the book a fun and exciting feel. My very favorite part of each two-page planetary information spread are the discussion questions. Some questions are pensive queries about favorite things on Earth, or personal preferences for warm or cold environments. Others are STEAM related questions about cloud colors and day length. These questions have an SEL quality that will enhance scientific discussions in the classroom. 

523.2 Astronomical Objects and Astrophysics          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD
500s Science

Elem. – Sir Ladybug

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Tabor, Corey R. Sir Ladybug. Balzer + Bray, 2022. 978-0-063-06906-0. $12.99.  68 p. Grades PK-3.

This epic insect tale is constructed as an early-reader graphic novel. In four chapters, an introduction, two interludes, and an epilogue, readers will be delighted with the antics of Sir Ladybug, his Herald, Pell (an anxious pill bug), and his Trusty Squire, Sterling (a gamer snail with a penchant for cake). The three friends are on an epic quest to save a yellow caterpillar from the dreaded monster, Chickadee. Though initially tempted to hide in Sterling’s shell to avoid being eaten, the friends devise an amusing plan to befriend their nemesis. Delightful and bright comic illustrations highlight the action, which is packed with non-stop humor.

THOUGHTS: At first glance this early-reader graphic novel is pure fun. Silliness abounds in both the text and illustrations. New readers and graphic novel enthusiasts will be completely amused. Dig a little deeper, and it is clear the book is also cleverly teaching literary vocabulary and structure. A fabulous read aloud or independent reading selection.

Early Reader          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD
Graphic Novel

Elem./MG – A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures

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Bayly, Sami. A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures. The Experiment, 2021. 978-1-615-19824-5. 125 p. $18.95. Grades 3-8. 

Dangerous…it’s a word that evokes feelings of fear and terror in many individuals. While animals considered or called dangerous can pose some level of threats to humans, they are often misunderstood. Author and illustrator Sami Bayly spotlights some of these creatures and explores how they have adapted to ward off predators with amazing (and yes, dangerous) defense mechanisms. For example, the greater slow loris (a small, tree-dwelling primate native to some countries in Asia), produces toxins in its elbow glands. If you see it licking its armpit/elbow area, watch out! It’s collecting venom that mixes with saliva to create a toxic bite. The geography cone snail lives near coral reefs in the Pacific. From the outside, it looks like a beautiful seashell, but inside lives the world’s most venomous sea snail. One shot of the snail’s venom can kill up to 15 people! These are just two of the 60 creatures profiled in this engaging title. Each entry defines the danger profile for the animal, as well as identifying their habitat, eating habits and conservation status. Particularly noteworthy are Byly’s illustrations. Trained as a natural history illustrator, her detailed watercolor paintings are true works of art and bring the animals to life.
Note: A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures was previously published in Australia under the title The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals.

THOUGHTS: This fantastic title will give readers a new appreciation and respect for the ways animals have adapted to survive. Ideal for casual browsers or researchers, readers will find themselves engrossed by the interesting facts presented about each animal and the detailed illustrations. 

591.6 Animals          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – My Book of Butterflies

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Valerio, Geraldo. My Book of Butterflies. Groundwood, 2021. 978-1-773-06335-5. 48 p. $24.99. Grades 1-3. 

Author and illustrator Geraldo Valerio introduces readers to a variety of his favorite butterflies in this beautifully illustrated title. Detailed paint, colored pencil, and paper collage illustrations vibrantly depict butterflies in various stages of life. The volume is arranged geographically, with each section depicting a selection of butterflies from a continent. Most spreads feature several species of butterflies, some shown in flight, while others rest on leaves or branches, occasionally enjoying some nectar. The accompanying text, though brief, offers readers a description of key and unique characteristics of the species. Opening pages of the volume depict the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, as well as identifying parts of a butterfly. The end pages are also a treat as they show caterpillars as well as butterflies in the chrysalis stage. Backmatter includes a glossary and list of additional resources. 

THOUGHTS: Browsers will enjoy spending some time with My Book of Butterflies and pouring over the detailed illustrations. A worthwhile purchase for schools serving young readers. 

595.78 Butterflies            Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – 13 Ways to Eat a Fly

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Heavenrich, Sue. 13 Ways to Eat a Fly. Charlesbridge. 2021. 978-1-58089-890-4. $16.99. Grades K-4.

Science and math combine to make an icky, yummy, tasty counting book filled with insects and ways they can be consumed! As a swarm of flies go by, one-by-one they are consumed in a variety of ways by a variety of animals. Don’t be sad, however, as the flies are consumed, for more will be born and the process will continue! You will laugh and be shocked at the icky ways these bugs are consumed, in ways humans may not want to know about!

THOUGHTS: This is a very fun book all about how insects are consumed! This book is filled with great details, scientific facts, and fun pictures.

595.77 Other Invertebrates            Rachel Burkhouse, Otto-Eldred SD