Beetles

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Illustrations and text are expertly blended in these introductions. Both books succinctly describe the outstanding physical and behavioral characteristics common to these creatures, special characteristics of more than a dozen particular beetles, basic anatomy, habitats, diet, senses, life cycle, natural enemies, defense mechanisms, etc. They also outline how scientists collect and study their subjects, suggest some simple observational activities, and include quizzes designed to review salient facts. In addition, Beetles gives some general directions for keeping these invertebrates as pets. Miscellaneous facts are provided in leaf-shaped sidebars. One or more different-sized color photographs accompany the text on every page. Most are finely detailed close-ups of representative insects, identified in captions by common names. The two-page, labeled close-ups of the featured insect's major body parts are particularly useful. Each volume has an attractive format and is clearly written and well organized. While they have an Australian flavor (some of the miscellaneous facts included refer solely to that country, and a few of the animals depicted can only be found there), most of the information is general in nature. In fact, these titles can serve as resources for students researching Australian fauna, as well as these creatures. Beetles will be a good companion volume to Elaine Pascoe's Beetles (Blackbirch, 2000), while Bugs can supplement George McGavin's standard introduction, Discovering Bugs (Bookwright, 1989; o.p.).-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.