Children's Literature
- Children's Literature
This magnificent book brings young readers face-to-face with some of the earth's smallest creatures--insects, spiders and daddy-longlegs. Amazing close-up photographs and interesting facts introduce readers to bug faces of all shapes, colors and textures. From moths and bumblebees to cockroaches and mosquitoes, this resource focuses on the unique facial features of insects including compound eyes, feathery antennae, proboscises and pincher jaws. In addition to highlighting more than a dozen bugs, this reference also presents information about insects that use false faces to trick predators. Young bug lovers will buzz with delight as they read this wonderful book. It will make a nice addition to any science library. 2000, National Geographic Society, Ages 5 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Debra Briatico—Children's Literature
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-This book gives a whole new meaning to the expression "in your face." Using close-up photographs to illustrate the text, the author goes eye to eye with a dragonfly, deer fly, bumblebee, daddy-longlegs, cicada, cockroach, grasshopper, nursery-web spider, ladybug, mosquito, weevil, painted lady butterfly, moth, and several caterpillars. Special features such as compound eyes, razor-sharp mouth parts, and feathery antennae are noted. The large, full-color photographs make each double-page spread visually appealing, as does the arrangement of the text, which sometimes mirrors the shape of the bug. There are no notations on the photographs to clarify the unique features described in the text; it is hard to find the three simple eyes of the grasshopper. However, this is not a scientific book; rather, it is one that encourages youngsters to make up-close and personal observations and also provides some information on bugs that they might otherwise miss. An entertaining experience for enthusiasts and those who might develop a new interest.-Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Going eyeball-to-eyeball with spiders, moths, cockroaches, flies, and a caterpillar's behind might not be to every reader's taste, but plenty of bug enthusiasts will enjoy leafing through this science picture book, which shows odd creatures dramatically enlarged and displayed against shrilly colored, glossy backgrounds. This first book by the author is not entirely successful, however. The text is a hodge-podge of odd facts about insect anatomy and the format is fussy. No sources, sizes, or even the scientific name of the insect are given. In many photos only a part of the insect is visible, making it a challenge to figure out what the whole creature looks like, or how big it really is. White text wiggles up the page, appears in bubbles, or shaped like the insect. They are not all bugs either: the author states, " . . . to most people, a bug is anything small that creeps, crawls or flies." A dozen bugs appeal, each with an enormous full-color photograph. Contrasting colors are used for backgrounds so the orange nursery-web spider is shown against a purple ground; red and black ladybug against green; and blue weevil against green and purple. Visually striking but short on substance. (Nonfiction. 8-10)
