Ladybugs

Children's Literature

Astonishing full-color photographs accompany an excellent, age-appropriate text to make this an engrossing picture book. Children will learn basic scientific concepts, such as the process by which an egg becomes a larva, then a pupa, then a fully grown ladybug. Ladybugs are beetles and can be either male or female. Young readers will also learn that ladybugs hibernate during the winter. Quite a lot of interesting information is packaged in an attractive format, which children will want to turn back to over and over. The photographs, in particular, will command children's attention. The book ends by asking readers three questions; this is an invitation to carry their curiosity to the back yard with some hands-on learning. A glossary, an index, and additional places to go for further information can be found at the back of the book. This title is one in the publisher's "Let's Read About Insects" series. All of the titles in this series would be valuable resources in preschool, elementary school, and home libraries. 2004, Weekly Reader Early Learning Library, Ages 3 to 7.
—Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-Each of these small-format, easy-to-read titles describes the life cycle of an insect often found in the backyard. Accurate information is provided on the stages of the creatures' lives from egg to larva to pupa and their emergence from the pupa to find a mate or food in order to survive and to complete the cycle. Each spread includes a full-page picture opposite a page of large-print text. The vivid close-up photos that help tell the story will appeal to young readers. Basic information for libraries and classrooms needing easy nonfiction.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.