Obviously, this book is about insects and the author
indicates there are over 1.3 million of them around the world. The book is
divided into four main sections by habitat: Cities and towns, countryside,
wetlands, and forests. Each of these sections is formatted similarly. They
begin with large pictures, a one-page general description including
reproduction, and then two pages with more details. Other pages show the metamorphosis
of each insect, the food they eat, and insects they might be mistaken for. The
final page of each section displays a labeled drawing of the insect and
highlights the wings, antenna, thorax, and eyes. These body parts are keys to
identifying the various insects.
The author is also the illustrator and she’s drawn colorful
illustrations to fill almost every page. In addition to the sketches mentioned
in the previous paragraph, the author illustrates other areas of interest. Most
of the insects will be fairly recognizable to young readers but the book
includes more unusual examples. A Hercules Beetle is around seven inches long, other
insects give off odors or are toxic, and some insects resemble other animals.
Several pages toward the end offer suggestions for identifying insects and less
common information about select examples. There are different kinds of
metamorphosis, ways to communicate, methods of camouflage, and adaptations for
self-defense.
What didn’t work as well:
The repetitive format makes the book easy to navigate but it can
become more tedious if reading the book straight through. It might be better to
use the book as a handbook or reference guide to make the best use of the large
amount of information.
The final verdict:
The book doesn’t overwhelm readers with overly detailed information
so it’s easily accessible. The abundant illustrations add to the appeal as readers
encounter a blend of familiar and uncommon insects. Overall, I recommend you
give this book a shot.
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