Book Description

Reviews (1)

A great book for sharing!
My 20 month old received this book from Santa. She LOVES it. It only took one time for her to figure out what she was supposed to do. SHe pulls this book off the shelf every night and morning and says "read this". My 3.5 yr old and my 20 month old can actually share this book, each turning flaps on one page until they find their bug. The flaps are not that durable though, and I have had to make several repairs on the flaps with tape. But the concept of the book is great for the 1-2 yr old set. ... Read more

Book Description

The brave good bugs march off to save the garden . . .

First, they must fight the evil Spider Queen . . .

Before summoning the Leaf Men to save the day . . .

But what about the mystery of the Long-Lost Toy?

Here is ancient elfin magic, epic adventure, and a bugle salute to the power of memory, loyalty and love as resounding as Robin Hood's call to his Merry Men!

Reviews (7)

Tiny of body, but brave of heart........
As a child, did you ever look for hidden treasures in your backyard? Well, this is a story about the magic of backyards and gardens. Two words describe this book--magical and mystical. My son loves this book because it combines his love of insects and superheroes. This is a wonderful story to read aloud to children and seems to really spark their imaginations. The illustrations are imaginative and unique. It is a favorite book at our house!

It works upon the mind as the great myths
Nevermind reading this to children: *I* read it. Here is a tale of mytheopic properties -- the Long-Lost Toy, the treasured rosebush grown sickly, the old woman, wound about, and bound to these treasured things of her youth, a precarious lifeline; and here too, those brave little bugs, the Doodle Guild, full of virtue and honour, who would give their very lives for a woman, and think nothing of it; and alas! too, the wicked Spider Queen, "enclosed in her own fat," who would devour her prey, and think not of it, and hath not mercy, nor kindness; and, when all is hopeless: the storm is stilled, the air is grown quiet, and lo! the Leaf Men of old, them whom Memory would forget.

This tale is at once set upon the mind, and there it will stay for quite some time after the book is set down. I highly recomend it.

When you want a fairy tale but are sick of fairy tales
This is a quirky book, but a fun one. It's a mystical fairy tale with a garden setting (the main characters are bugs) and an Art Deco aesthetic. An old lady falls ill. Her garden falls ill, too, as there is no one to care for it. The garden's bugs rally together. They've heard stories of the magical, mystical Leaf Men who will come to a garden's aid if properly summoned. A proper summons requires a dangerous journey to the tree tops on a moonlit night. The brave doodle bugs go for it. The evil Spider Queen and her goblins try to thwart them. It's good stuff. There is also a sweet, sentimental subplot with an old toy. The book is recommended for the 4-8 year-old crowd, but my 2 1/2 year-old loves it. I had to edit some of the text at first, however, as it is on the long side for toddlers. I also edit the gruesome death of the Spider Queen. The story covers a lot of territory in a short amount of time, so the characters are rather one-dimensional and the story ends up with a few holes. Nevertheless, the story is told so stylishly and the illustrations are so unusual and dramatic that you forgive the short-comings. It's a great book to read when you want a fairy tale but are sick of fairy tales.

The Leaf Men
I am 45 yrs old and have been reading this and many other Willam Joyce titles to my children. The illustrations are facinating to children and adults alike. This is my favorite Willam Joyce book. I still read it and laugh and cry. Oh those doodle bugs are so brave. There is so much to ponder while reading this book, it will open your imagination to a whole new look at the garden, ageing, and being the smallest one in the class. It will make you feel.

A treasure of a book.
We got this book when my son's Grandma was undergoing chemotherapy, because the old woman in the book got better after her illness. He loves the book for a completely different reason, he loves the 'brave good bugs'. Because of this book, he now understands the concept of bravery at the young age of three. All & all, a truly wonderful book. ... Read more

Book Description

Watch out! Hermie may be just another caterpillar, but his wormy style will win your heart. An adorable new character from renowned, best selling author and pastor Max Lucado, Hermie (and his best friend, Wormie) wonder why God—their close friend and Creator—chose to make them so common. After all, every other creature they encounter boasts something bold or beautiful that makes them unique. But Hermie and Wormie wriggle under the weight of comparison—coming up short every time.

But then comes the miracle. With an amazing transformation, they both learn the truth behind God’s impeccable timing. And purpose. And love. It’s a story that on a simple level will leave your kids spell-bound. But the biblical truths of trusting in God’s timing will deepen their own understanding of identity and the joy of embracing God’s incredible design in them.

Reviews (4)

So good.
This book is a great way to get a very important message to your children..without boring them. God's not finished with us yet! He began a good work in us and He will finish it!
I love this book, it even spoke to me, and My 5 yr old loved it so much we went out and bought the DVD. Lucado is so articulate in his "adult" books but he does the same with his children books, they are all wonderful and have a timeless message for our future generation, and for us as well! Now hurry up and add it to your cart! Trust me, the price can't be beat for such a great story.

small book, big message
The simple wording combined with the great illustration make this a book that attracts children from those able to read themselves to those who are only able to identify the pictures. The message is clearly stated. At this point in time, with all the gloom and doom on the news channels, a positive reinforcement that God is there and in control is needed. Any of Max's childrens book will help. (Parents can take heat from the messages as well.

Great for all ages!
I have 4 children, ages 2-7, and they all loved this book! The little ones enjoyed the uplifting story of the "common caterpillar", and my 7 year olds found it easy and fun to read. You can't go wrong with this one!!!! A must for all Christian families!

Very uplifting for children
From the moment my son heard this book read to him, he was hooked. He liked the book so much that we bought the video as well. Now he walks around telling us that God isn't finished with him yet. This is a great book for any family trying to get across that God loves everyone just they way they are and he's always working in our lives. I highly recommend this book to everyone!!! ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Charlie and the kindergartener
This book is wonderful, it has a great story line and beautiful pictures. Teaching kindergarten children we discuss feelings and read it later on when we discuss bugs. This book has brought many tears to my eyes as I love to read it, but the message behind it is wonderful. Children aren't aware that they are learning important values when listening to this book!

a charmer!
No one will let Charlie play with them. Why? They say: "Because you are an ugly caterpillar." Charlie doesn't understand.

Winter is approaching, he's chilly & sad so he wraps himself up in a cocoon. When spring arrives & Charlie comes out he is a beautiful butterfly!

Now everyone wants him to be his friend. Why? Charlie refuses to play with them & finds someone truly worthy of his friendship.

Read the book & you will see why I recommend this heartwarming story!

Please Do Research
I am an environmental education coordinator at a wetlands center. I have not read this book and will not buy it until I see how the life cycle is written. I am going by what is written on the back cover. This is a very cute book with nice illustrations and a good story about friendships. But, I would like to see more authors do their research. Moth caterpillars spin cocoons and butterfly caterpillars make a hard shell called a chrysalis. When kids are brought up reading books that tell them one thing and then I am trying to educate them with the correct words it is difficult. Classroom teachers also think all the words are correct and are not informed unless they bring their students to a nature center.

An old, but very important, message
One of the academic publications called the message in this book "trite." That may be true if you are an educated adult, but this is a children's book.

How many of us can remember being ridiculed as children because we weren't the tallest, or the strongest, or the prettiest kid in class, or because Mom and Dad couldn't afford the latest designer sneakers, errr, athletic footwear, for us? This may be an old message, but it is obvious that it is a message kids still need to hear, more than just once. Frankly, I've known plenty of adults who still haven't learned this simple lesson.

"Charlie the Caterpillar" is a wonderful and warm story about the difference between shallow sycophants and true friends. The illustrations are definitely the highlight of the book; Charlie and Katie are downright huggable. Far from being cartoonish, the caterpillars have a real depth to them.

My only regret after reading this book is that no toymaker has seized the opportunity to license the caterpillar design for a plush cuddle toy. Small children would love it.

Not a very good book for the target audience
The book is aimed at preschoolers but attempts to tackle a tough subject that is far over the head of preschoolers, beauty and how it affects friendships.

And worst of all, it uses slang on more than half the pages.

I can't recommend this book to anyone... ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Join Slimy on a backyard journey. A perfectly satisfying picture story for toddlers and preschoolers!

Join Slimy Snail on an adventure that takes him around the backyard and brings him face-to-face with all sorts of obstacles:
Up a hill (very steep!).
Over a bridge (very high!).
Down a slope (very slippery!).
Here's a snail's-eye view of the backyard and a picture story that introduces the youngest readers to simple directional concepts--and ends with a clever visual surprise! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A snail's-eye view of the garden's challenges
Slimy Snail sets out on a trail which turns out to be an obstacle course. The very young receive two-line descriptions of his adventures, realistic snail drawings, and a snail's-eye view of the garden's challenges in this easy fun reader.

Snail trail
No doubt this will be a hit with kids who enjoy slimey things. Cute and sturdy, and a creative introduction to "directional concepts" (as the publisher calls them). You know, "into a forest" "up a hill" "over a bridge"... You get the picture. I gave it four stars simply because I like the authors new book Ten Seeds even better. ... Read more

Book Description

Do not go where humans go. You could get squashed. You move too slowly to get out of the way. Watch out for that giant foot! Be careful of the poison in the garden! When you look at life from the perspective of a small mollusk, the backyard suddenly becomes a daunting place. A young snail faces many challenges as it tries to grow safely into an adult, while continuing on its daily quest for food. All the facts a young child needs to understand the life of this intriguing backyard creatures are packed into an engaging narrative. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a great find...
My 2 year old was going through a fear of insects (and snails) phase and this book helped tremendously. Not only did it educate her on the life cycle of the snail, but it did so without talking down to her. I read it to her 7 times when we first got it and right away her attitude toward snails changed. Now, she is quite happy to go visit them as they munch away on our garden vegetables...

An entertaining Science Book
My Kindergarten class (5-6 yr.olds) loved this book! It's an imaginative way of approaching facts about snails, and the illustrations are beautiful.

First Steps Into the World of Science
A beautifully illustrated picture book with just enough text to intrigue the preschooler or introduce the grade schooler to the world of a snail. As an elementary school teacher I recommend this book for an introduction to scientific studies of animal families as well as a motivational tool for writing lessons. Great for pre-kindergarten thru 3rd grades. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This book is part of a series of guides designed for adolescents interested in natural history and nature. The books are an excellent introduction to the Rocks and Minerals, Birds, Wildflowers, and Insects for children aged 8-18. Each guide is appropriately sized to fit in a field vest pocket. Readers who remember previous versions of these field guides from the 1970s that were dull and overly detailed will be pleasantly surprised.These books are arguably the most beautifully photographed and laid out field guides yet published for young people.Each book has an introductory section filled with interesting facts, descriptions of early naturalists, definitions of many of the terms used in the book, and a guide to using the field guide portion of the book. (...)Each field guide features 50 common species with photos and brief descriptions of many more regionally occurring insects.Brief discussions of threatened and endangered species are particularly valuable.Great first guides for children and adults with limited natural history background.

The Insect guide has excellent photographs and descriptions of common species.The photographs are very detailed and show the beauty of insects, rather than their gruesome aspects.Good descriptions and warnings regarding poisonous species. --Merri Martz ... Read more

Reviews (4)

For your bug enthusiast and for those who aren't so enthused
I love this book. Filled with VIVID photographs, this guidebook is compact and durable and begins with a short introduction (a few pages) devoted to teaching about anthropods in general. We use this book all of the time, from identifiying bugs on neighborhood walks, excursions to area parks, or just in the backyard (and sometimes in the house). I can also credit this book for curing my son's phobia of insects. When we saw a bug he was scared of, we'd grab this book and identify it. Looking at the bug and identifying its parts and then being able to call it by name did wonders in alleving his fears! I do wish that this book had more information associated with each insect...such as what it eats and what eats it. But, as a beginner guidebook, this one is exceptional!

Incredible!
This is THE best field guide for kids. It has excellent photographs and covers many different types of insects, including some regional ones. It is not only appropriate for young children who can only enjoy the pictures, it is also a great book for older children, up to about 12 or so. Any child who has an interest on learning about insects, spiders included, will enjoy this book and its wonderful pictures.

The kids love it
As a hmoe schooling mom this has been an excellent tool for the kids. They can look up all the bugs they find at anytime the decide to go bug hunting. It is simple and easy to use. a wonderful resource.

Exquisite photos make for a great field guide
This book (actually the whole series) is wonderful! I have a 4 year old who just loves to page through it and examine all the different kinds of insects. We use this one to identify all the different kinds of bugs that we run into on our walks. The photos alone are worth the purchase price, but the descriptions are also wonderful. I think these are the best field guides out there. ... Read more

Book Description

Yellow blood, silk of steel, skeletons on the outside! These amazing attributes don"t belong to comic book characters or alien life forms, but to Earth"s biggest and hairiest spiders: tarantulas. Here you are invited to follow Sam Marshall, spider scientist extraordinaire (he"s never been bitten), as he explores the dense rainforest of French Guiana, knocking on the doors of tarantula burrows, trying to get a closer look at these incredible creatures. You"ll also visit the largest comparative spider laboratory in America—where close to five hundred live tarantulas sit in towers of stacked shoeboxes and plastic containers, waiting for their turn to dazzle and astound the scientists who study them. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

More than a picturebook but not quite a pre-teen read
Kids in grades 4-6 and more will relish Nic Bishop's startling close-up photos and scientist Sy Montgomery's vivid descriptions of scientific investigations in his Tarantula Scientist. Almost 80 pages pack in the photos and plenty of facts about the giant spiders, and will delight kids of all grade levels with accounts of investigative qualities. More than a picturebook but not quite a pre-teen read, this will reach a larger audience than most simple spider coverages. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

A Bug's Point of View
The name of this interesting book I am writing about is Bug Girl.Carol Sonenklar has a good imagination to think up the Bug-A-View.If you press the button on the Bug-A-View and point it at a bug, you will turn into that bug.When Susan and Charlie go to bug camp, something goes wrong. Charlie finds an interesting bug, points the Bug-A-View at the bug, and he turnsinto that bug! Charlie gets trapped, given poison, and is about to diewhile the class is pinning their bugs.Suzanne turns into a bug and risksher life to save Charlie's life.......buy the book to find out if she cansave Charlie's life.........(will she? ).

Funny, suspenseful, exciting, imaginative.
This is a fast-paced, funny book that will keep you wondering what canpossibly happen next. It starts with Charlie turning Suzanne's littlebrother into a bug by mistake -- and only gets better. You'll be amazed bythe descriptions of what it's like to be a bug. The author writes like shehas an amazing Bug-A-View of her own! ... Read more

Book Description

Get ready to blast off with Captain Bug Rogers on an intergalactic pop-up adventure. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Cool and cute too
This book is really cute, in a weird and silly way. My son got it when he was five, and it was his favorite book for a long time. The space bug pictures and goofy plot were funny enough that I didn't mind reading it to him over and over and over and over and .....

Daughter loves this book.
This book is full of silly plays on words, like "Capt. Bug Rogers" and "The Bug in the Moon." Although my 4-year-old daughter doesn't get the references, she still asks me to read it again and again. Every page has a pop-up, a movable piece, or flap to open. She broke two of them, which I was able to glue back together, good as new. Personally I thought it was kind of hokey, but I rated it 5 stars because it certainly seems to reach its audience.

Excellent Children's Book!
This is the first "Bug Book" by David Carter I have bought. It has wonderful illustrations and pop-ups. I thought it was a little young for my four-month old son when I bought it. However, I thought it was too cute to pass up. As it turns out the colors are so vivid and eye-catching and the pop-ups so entertaining, that he actually laughs when I read it to him. I highly recommend it for children of any age. I plan on buying many more of the "Bug Books".

Bugs in Space
Our five year-old son received this book as a gift and it was a delightful surprise! We laughed out loud through the whole book. It was very fun to read. Lots of interactive fun! This was our first book by David Carter but I would buy another. Very young children would like it too but I would be afraid of it holding up without getting ripped - not that it is too flimsy but that young hands would want to grab it.

Really fun book for kids!
My kids really love this book. We have enjoyed David Carter's Bugs in Box books for many years. I gave it four stars instead of five only because I think some of the other ones (like Alphabugs) are even better than this one. This is good, but if you only buy one "Bugs in a Box" book, I'd recommend the Alphabugs or the first one! ... Read more

Book Description

Joyful Noise

Written to be read aloud by two voices, sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous -- here is a recording of irresistible poems that celebrate the insect world, from the short life of the mayfly to the love song of the book louse. Funny, sad, loud and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. Winner of the 1989 Newbery Medal.

I Am Phoenix is an exultant celebration of the sounds and essence of the bird world. A companion to Joyful Noise, written to be spoken aloud by two voices and masterfully performed by Lloyd and Twomey, these poems perfectly capture the beauty of birds in their singing, soaring and rejoicing.

Performed by John Bedford and Anne Twomey

Book Description

This Level 1 book is appropriate for children who are just beginning to read.

In Born to Be a Butterfly, children will witness the magical transformation as a newly hatched caterpillar becomes a beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly. For children who are just beginning to read and who have a limited vocabulary, these 32-page Level 1 books-about everything from tadpoles to puppies-use word repetition and simple sentences to convey meaning. Picture dictionary boxes with word labels "show" the meanings of words. These books contain between 400 and 450 words each, and they are 80 percent pictures and 20 percent text.

The Dorling Kindersley Readers combine an enticing visual layout with high-interest, easy-to-read stories to captivate and delight young bookworms who are just getting started. Written by leading children's authors and compiled in consultation with literacy experts, these engaging books build reader confidence along with a lifelong appreciation for nonfiction, classic stories, and biographies. There is a DK Reader to interest every child at every level, from preschool to grade 4. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Born to be Beautiful
I have always thought that the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is just amazing. In this story, a butterfly flits from flower to flower and looks for a leaf where she can lay her eggs. The photography is stunning and you can actually see the caterpillar growing inside the egg. Once the caterpillar hatches, she eats and eats and eats.

As the caterpillar gets bigger and bigger, she sheds her skin until finally she looks for a sturdy leaf and hangs upside down. The outside skin turns hard and inside, she is turning into a beautiful creature. One day the chrysalis splits open and a new butterfly emerges to dry in the sunshine.

On the last page, there is a picture word list and your child can sign and date the back cover to remind them of their accomplishment when they are able to completely read this book on their own.

Educational! ... Read more

Book Description

Strawberry Shortcake and her friends can't wait to visit the butterfly garden! But when one of the butterflies escapes, Strawberry must figure out a way to bring the butterfly safely home. Can Strawberry Shortcake save the day? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excited about reading!
I was very excited to find out about the Magic School Bus chapter books. I teach 2nd and 3rd grades and my students love this book! My 3rd graders are reading chapter books. This new series allows them to keep reading about Ms. Frizzle and her class. They are learning more Science facts and working on their reading skills. As a teacher I couldn't ask for more! ... Read more

Book Description

Two friends will win your heart as their adventure amazes your eyes.

Gloria is brave, but Frieda is absolutely not. Gloria wants to go for a walk but Frieda absolutely does not. Everything is scary from Frieda's point of view-the river looks suspiciously like a snake, and is that a moldy old log over there, or a ferocious dog? When Frieda cries wolf one too many times, Gloria stops listening to her. But what's that in the bushes? Are the two little friends in danger, or is it another figment of Frieda's imagination?

Matthew McElligott's visual illusions will have you just as amazed as Frieda is about what's absolutely real and what's absolutely not. And Gloria and Frieda's friendship will win your hearts. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

More than the sum of its parts -- an elegant gem
This beautiful book works on several different levels -- it's a story about facing and conquering your fears. It's a story about friendship. And it also has incredibly clever illustrations -- trompe l'oeil style landscapes which kids will love poring over. A terrific picture book, one that warrants repeat readings.

Absolutely!
"Absolutely Not" is a cleverly written and planned, beautifully illustrated book.

The story involves two bugs, Gloria and Frieda, who decide to go for a walk. On their way, Frieda seems to see all sorts of dangers around, but her friend Gloria is there to clear up her misconceptions.

So why do I think this simple idea is so clever?

The author/illustrator has created beautiful illustrations that include, if you search, illusions. When I read the book to my daughter, she sees the obvious illustration, but she has to hunt for whatever it is that Frieda sees.

When my little girl first found the secret pictures, she felt triumphant! I look forward to the day that her little brother is old enough for her to read the book to him and help him discover all the secrets.

A wonderful book that is genuinely involving. Recommended? Absolutely! ... Read more

Book Description

Fascinating book introduces grade-school youngsters to industrious ants, tunnel-building earthworms, snails and slugs, beetles, and many other creatures inhabiting the world beneath our feet. Vivid descriptions of how they live, breed and interact; their methods of locomotion, feeding and defense; and the effect they have on the soil in which they live.
... Read more

Book Description

Current information on silkworm history, legend, sensible caringschool projects, and silkworm farming today. Easy to read for schooland homeschool children, and usefull for daycare adults raisingsilkworms as well as persons interested in fabrics. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Practical book guidebook with many illustrations
A practical book for elementary students to grow up silkworms. Short history and life of silkworms was interesting.I bought this book because I liked the beautiful cover photo, but unfortunately, there are no photosinside. However comical illustration gives you good Idea about silkworms. ... Read more