Don't Bug the Insects: Fascinating Facts about Nature's Most Misunderstood Creatures

by Ben Richmond

Overview

Go buggy over insects!
At any given time there are 10 quintillion insects on the Earth; that means 200 million bugs for every person out there. And while they sometimes annoy us—or worse, like the deadly mosquito, which can kill us—insects are essential to life as we know it. Written from the point of view of the bugs themselves, this fascinating book provides a lesson in ecology and conservation as it introduces kids to 12 insects—including ants, spiders, bees, ladybugs, and beetles—plus one surprise guest. Featuring incredible text by Ben Richmond, accompanied by breathtaking photos, Don’t Bug the Insects explains just why these tiny creatures are so important, how they help humans and the planet, and why we need to treat them well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454921370
Publisher:	Sterling Children's Books
Publication date:	06/06/2017
Series:	Misunderstood Creatures Series , #2
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,091,541
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Ben Richmond is a science journalist who writes about dinosaurs, outer space, and the origin of words for Vice magazine’s Motherboard website. He has also contributed to The Believer, and writes for the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the MET). Ben has previously written Why Is the Sea Salty? And other questions about the ocean, What Are the Three Branches of Government? And other questions about the U.S. Constitution, and Where Do Garbage Trucks Go? And other questions about Trash and Recycling in the GOOD QUESTION! series. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2017
Gr 2–5—Engaging stock photographs introduce myriad insects ranging from butterflies to mosquitoes. Readers learn basic facts about various species and their diet, location, predators, and prey. The book is filled with close-up images of each insect and narrated in the first person by the various bugs ("Hi, I'm a dragonfly, and if you hate mosquitoes, you should be nice to me!"). Interesting factoids follow: "I can eat as much as a fifth of my own body weight." The author stresses bugs' role as vital contributors to our environment and includes a section on how to be kind to them. The white font stands out against the pictures, but the lengthy text may be challenging for some readers. Although earthworms are important, their cameo here makes little sense. VERDICT Add where general information on insects is needed. For avid bug watchers, recommend Seymour Simon's Insects instead.—Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

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