Powerful Praying Mantids

by Melissa Higgins

Overview

Did you know many praying mantises are masters of disguise? Some blend in with dead leaves. Others look like lovely flowers. But all are fierce hunters! Meet powerful praying mantises from around the world with Smithsonian Little Entomologist. Kids will be wowed by the amazing variety of bugs and up-close photos, while also learning about their behavior, life cycle, diet, and more. The engaging, leveled text supports life science curriculum.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781977114334
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2020
Series:	Little Entomologist 4D
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.75(w) x 8.75(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Melissa Higgins has written more than 100 fiction and nonfiction books for children, including titles for the Capstone imprints Pebble, Pebble Plus, Picture Window, Snap, and Stone Arch. Her books have received medals from the Independent Publisher Book Awards and the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Before becoming a full-time writer, Melissa worked as a school counselor and had a private counseling practice. When not reading or writing, she enjoys hiking and taking photographs in the Arizona desert where she lives with her husband and two shy kitties. You can visit Melissa’s website (www.mghiggins.com) to learn more about her books.

Table of Contents

Gentle or Fierce? 4

Spiny Flower Mantids 6

Orchid Mantids 8

Mediterranean Mantids 10

Giant Asian Mantids 12

Chinese Mantids 14

Grass Mantids 16

Dead Leaf Mantids 18

Shield Mantids 20

Ground Mantids 22

Stick Mantids 24

Bark Mantids 26

Unicorn Mantids 28

Glossary 30

Critical Thinking Questions 31

Read More 31

Internet Sites 31

Index 32

Interviews

Each title begins with an intro spread that overviews bugs, showing readers how to identify them; Stunning macro photography

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2020

PreS-Gr 2—These animal profiles are organized into several broad groups (such as bristle worms and tree crickets), providing a useful approach given the wide variety of species. Qualities specific to the group, like habitat and size, are neatly woven in with broader topics that apply to most or all varieties, such as life cycles. Physical characteristics and behavior are clearly explained along with a mixture of more specific, often fascinating facts, such as the mating habits of bush crickets. Size, range, and number of species are provided for each group. Most spreads include a single large photograph, well chosen to highlight the animal's physical features. Captioned diagrams offer further visual support. In some cases, inset close-up photographs provide useful visual context. VERDICT High visual appeal, strong informational presentation, and facts about unusual creatures make this a first choice for the 590s.

School Library Journal