Book Description

Have you ever peeked under a rock? A whole community of creatures lives there! One of the world’s most fascinating habitats is right at your feet. No child will be able to resist looking under a rock after reading Fredericks’s rhythmic, engaging story, and seeing DiRubbio’s vivid close-up illustrations. Field Notes and Fantastic Facts will inspire endless exploration. ... Read more

Book Description

Read all about big bad bugs, clever little bugs, and some of the fiercest bugs ever. This big book version of the DK Reader is ideal for shared reading during class. DK Big Readers provide excellent opportunities for students to understand what is involved in the reading process, such as cueing the text, location information, understanding print conventions, and -- most importantly -- learning to enjoy books! Normal-sized DK Readers can be used by individuals and pairs of students to rehearse and consolidate what they have learned in group sessions. Stunning DK photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging g, age-appropriate stories in DK Readers, a multilevel reading program guaranteed to capture children's interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Violent bugs! Discordant Text.
Predator insects star in the Eyewitness Reader Book, Bugs!Bugs!Bugs! by Jennifer Dussling.Following in the style of other Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness books, Bugs!Bugs!Bugs! overflows with clear, eye-catching, color photographs.The cover photograph may attract reluctant readers with its graphic photograph detailing a preying mantis chomping its teeth into a captured fly.Readers enter a world of extremely magnified, floating insect photographs on white backgrounds.The images depict insects attacking each other or standing alone.
Accompanying text discusses the insect pictured in the stilted, easy language of a level two reader.Plainly labeled as a level two book, Bugs!Bugs!Bugs! fits into the popular genre of Reading Level Books.Although the author has extensive writing experience with leveled readers, the subject of the text jumps from page to page without good transitions and creates a hard-to-follow jumble of words-which potentially creates a difficult reading environment for the intended reading audience of children just beginning to read alone.Informational boxes scattered throughout the pages add additional tidbits on insect behavior-also adding additional confusion.Due to the discordant text, the book would be better used as a picture book where children read a caption here and there.
As a leveled reader, the book includes a note for parents which explains the leveled reader system and recommends the book for children just beginning to read (between ages 3-8).As an eyewitness reader, Bugs!Bugs!Bugs! follows the leveled reader guidelines for level two:approximately 700 words; 70% pictures and 30% text.Sure to be popular due to the graphic cover and leveled reader status, the book would be a satisfactory addition to larger collections but should be skipped for smaller collections since better leveled readers already exist.

Just Plain Buggy!
My sons enjoyed this book tremendously. I heard the word "cool" come out of thier mouths more than once.The pictures were very detailed. It was easy for my first grader to read. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ho Hum Counting Book
Five Little Ladybugs is one of many counting books. It has holes throughout that hide or reveal the bugs as the story goes but the bugs themselves don't do anything. This is not a very exciting book for young kids who are fascinated by pop-up or tab books. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Parents of curious kids beware! Read before you buy!
I wouldn't recommend you buy this book without reading it first. If you are looking for a book to read to your child, you should consider another book. There are many successful children's stories told in rhyming verse, there are also a few fun mysteries geared to younger children, perhaps there are even other books dealing with mobsters and thieves full of lust and murderess intent aimed at children, but I don't know of any.

If you child is curious they will want explanations of the phrases in the book. In this case don't buy this book unless you feel comfortable explaining the following terms and phrases:
"a two-bit hood", "a local thug", "local fence", "the underworld", or my favorite "dat roach made bug-eyes at my goil, but I dint take him down."

I would also hate to have to explain the ending - and still wonder myself it was feminine virtue, self-defense or sexual harassment that led to the "case of near insecticide."

This mobster tale has a great format with real protruding bug eyes on the front cover that match the illustrations. The illustrations them selves are dark and seedy like the mob bugs they portray. Though the expressions are well done, the scale of bugs to other objects in the story is odd and the color scheme is purple and black and dark green.

All that being said the book does get one star for the cool bug eyes and the list of bugs in the back. The book could possibly appeal to an immature twelve-year-old with an interest in poetry. If you already own this book I recommend you cut out the back two pages for reference and donate the book to some organization that sends children books to third would countries. They already think America is a bunch of murdering thieves anyway so it won't effect our reputation. If you don't own this book and you have nothing at all to read to your children I suggest the back of a cereal box or the local bus schedule instead.

Funny Bugs
I bought this book for a child and then realized how much it would appeal to adults with a sense of humor. I am planning to give it to my daughter-in-law who will laugh and then read it to my two granddaughters who will also laugh.

Mystery in Bugtown
"Mystery in Bugtown" is a story about a murder that happens in Bugtown. Inspector cricket is caught up in the mystery and the only clue is one glove. He goes to many people who he thinks may have done the crime or had something to do with it, but each person doesn't make his job any easier because each one just sends him to the next bug. He goes through many different suspects before he comes to the Big Boss's place where he is finally able to solve the crime. When the culprit is finally revealed, it is a shock to everyone.
I think that this is a very good book because it does a good job at keeping the reader interested throughout the whole book. It is also interesting to see what kinds of creatures the detective comes to see. The book is also somewhat educational, with cool facts about each of the insects in the back of the book.

I don't know who enjoyed it more!
I have been reading to my 2 1/2-month-old son since he was in the womb, and when I read this book to him, he not only listened but also the participated. The illustrations in this book are fantastic and he carefully watched as each page was turned (I'm sure the bug eyes didn't hurt). This book is wonderfully written and illustrated and to be perfectly honest I'm not sure who enjoyed it more. A truly fun book to read!

A Charming Tale
This book is a delight from beginning to end that will hold children spellbound. The amuzing "bug eyes" brilliantly colored illustrations and lilting text will enchant both children and adults alike. ... Read more

Book Description

How can I catch a flying insect?

Play and find out! How? By choosing one of the 50 simple experiments in Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out about Bugs. Your child will discover the answers to lots of fun questions as you team up to play together and explore the wonder of our world. Each experiment includes illustrations, a list of easy-to-find materials, and simple, step-by-step instructions.

Praise for

Janice VanCleave's books:

"Stunningly clear, direct, and informative projects." —School Library Journal

"[They] not only teach children the basics of science, but also entertain along the way. . . . great for kids." —Parentguide ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great for Homeschooling Preschoolers or Just Bug Fans!
I got this book (and the others in the play and find out about series by Janice Vancleave) when I decided to start homeschooling my daughter. The 'experiments' in the book are very easy - generally you really do have the materials in your house (except for maybe the pipe cleaners). We have used it as a supplement to our Usborne books on Butterflies and Creepy Crawlies - just pick the section that has experiments related to the topic you are discussing. Great! Would be a great addition to the Sonlight Curriculum. And best of all the experiments are typically fun! The section on camouflaging was great - we played a hide-and-seek game with bugs we made from pipe cleaners (a bit hard for a 4 yr old though) and had Dad try to find them. It really made the concept understandable to her. It is a game she wants to play often now!

Play and Find Out about Bugs
This is a wonderful book for anyone who is homeschooling or teaching using the thematic unit approach. The experiments are simple but effective. When the book says it is fun, it is not just a catchy phrase to sell books! I found it at my local library and am thrilled to have been introduced to Janice VanCleave's special approach to teaching. ... Read more

Book Description

Uncover a Tarantula examines the structure and anatomy of the largest spiders in the world and provides fascinating facts and information on each exciting page. Learn how these predators capture and kill other insects and animals, use their bodies to protect and camouflage themselves and why their blood is green. This full-color illustrated book combines the best model elements to help readers truly uncover the mysteries of what makes things work. A fascinating three-dimensional presentation allows in-depth, hands-on exploration of the subject at hand. This unique model is easily built, deconstructed, and rebuilt layer-by-layer, system-by-system, just by turning a page, until an understanding of the topic is achieved. Kids will love to see and touch each disgusting but interesting tarantula part! ... Read more

Book Description

Full-color photos & full-color illus. Fabulous photos reveal the differences between these two families of insects and an easy-to-read text explains why moths are attracted to light, why some caterpillars are so hairy, and more.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

very scattered, skip this one
Being a fan of other Eyewitness publications, I was surprised to find myself disappointed with this book. As with all Eyewitness books, the photographs are lovely. However, they concentrate mostly on large images of butterflies and moths, concentrating mostly on their beauty, rather than showing more close range photos that show body parts. Most annoying is the complete lack of a photographic and text chronological process of egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly or moth. How can they leave this out? They show bits and pieces of the life stage scattered throughout the text, which I found confusing and disjointed. If an adult is confused or lacking a feeling of thoroughness, I wonder that the children aged 4-8 which the publisher has this categorized for will think.

I advise to skip this book completely and move on to "Eyewitness Butterfly and Moth" which is slotted for ages 9-12 (but my younger children are able to handle as a read-aloud). That book has more detail and more of the wonderful beautiful photographs.

As a comparison, the book for children titled "Life of a Butterfly" by Heiderrose and Andreas Fischer-Nagel does a superb job of showing high quality photographs of the life cycle. There are more stages than I was expecting and detailed photos such as the caterpillar shedding its' skin. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Anansi the Spider is a wise, funny, mischievous, and loveable folk hero who pops up in traditional Ashanti tales from Ghana, in West Africa. This story, retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott, relates the tale of father Anansi and his six spider sons. When Anansi sets out on a dangerous journey and gets into all sorts of trouble, each son does one thing to help, and all their efforts together save their father. He finds a mysterious, beautiful globe of light in the forest, and decides to make it a gift of thanks. But which son should receive the prize? Even with the help of Nyame, the God of All Things, he can't decide, so Nyame takes the great globe up into the sky, and that's where it has stayed ever since--the moon, for all to see. This profound story reaches children of many ages; younger ones see it as an exciting rescue story, but older children are intrigued by the larger themes of cooperation and "the whole being more than its parts."

Anansi the Spider, McDermott's first book, received immediate acclaim and was named a Caldecott Honor Book. McDermott has retold and illustrated many other folktales and myths during his long career, including Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale, which received the Caldecott Medal, Musicians of the Sun, and a series of trickster folktales from around the world. He has a rare combination of skills, being both a gifted writer and a talented artist.His distinctive graphic style using bold shapes and brilliant colors is always striking, but is especially well suited to the story of Anansi, with traditional African motifs skillfully integrated throughout the art.This is a story that can be read over and over again! (Ages 4 to 9) --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Vibrant, vivid illustration and a wonderful tale
The Anansi stories have been handed down through generations of Ashanti culture. This book is a wonderful, vibrant and vivid story for children of all ages. Born in Ghana I left at aged 3, leaving much of the Ghanaian culture behind. At aged 30 I can still remember a song about Anansi the spider, the only remnants left of my native tongue. I was given the Anansi book as a child, it captivated me, I read it over and over again, and it provided a connection to my past. At 16, I spent hours crafting a cushion embroidered an illustration from the book that was a childhood favorite. Sadly, the book was lost and I never thought I could get it again. Now, some 14 years since I last saw the book I can still visualize the pictures and hear the wonderful tale of Anansi the spider, his sons and the moon. I have just bought two copies, one for my niece and one for my two year old daughter. I absolutely cannot wait to read them again and again and pass this memorable story to a new generation.

Anansi
Anansi is one cool African trickster, and he does it again in this book! When he tries to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, he becomes responsible for putting the moon in the sky.

We love Anansi!
My 18 month old son loves the artwork in this book. There is a lot to talk about on each page. For the first time it seems that my son is following the story and not just dealing with one page at a time. He waits eagerly for the page when Anansi is swallowed by a fish (don't worry it is not violent in any way!) Since there are 6 spider sons there are lots of opportunities for counting. My 18 month old can now count to 6.

Why the moon is in the sky!
A short children's book based on a folk tale of the Ashanti tribe of Ghana about the tickster Spider who is rescued by his sons and why the moon is in the sky. Children will enjoy hearing this story and even acting out its parts. The artwork is very appealling. The book was a 1973 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children.

A culturally rich story that captures the eye with it's art.
This story captured the attention of 18 pre-schools within a few seconds! Personally, I enjoyed this story, the unique characters and the "trickster" Anansi. The children loved acting out a skit about the 6 sons of Anansi by taping a "spider logo" to their shirt and acting out "cushion", see trouble" and the other brothers. I especially enjoy how McDermott exposes children to the beliefs of other cultures. ... Read more

Book Description

Kids will be bug-eyed over this pop up!

All sorts of creepy, crawly creatures assume larger-than-life proportions when it comes to capturing the fascination of children. In this oversized volume, giant scorpions, a praying mantis, and more pop right off the pages, jiggling and wiggling their way to life brandishing claws, stingers, pincers, and more.

Bold illustrations and accompanying rhyming text will intrigue budding young naturalists, who may find that the most natural thing about this book is how it makes them squeal with delight! ... Read more

Book Description

Bring on the spiders, stinkbugs, and grasshoppers. Charlie Kaplan, "Bug Boy," thinks bugs are the best and is always on a Bug Alert for crawly creatures. But when he receives the Amazing Bug-A-View in the mail, Charlie thinks it's a joke. Then he notices that the Amazing Bug-A-View says, See the world from a bug's-eye view! Before you can say bug off, Charlie turns into a...! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Have You Ever Wanted To Be A Bug?
What's this? Charlie Kaplan turned into a bug! Find out how, by reading Bug Boy by Carol Sonenklar. It's about a boy who can turn into bugs when he gets a Bug-A-View. Charlie has many adventures while he is a bug. I liked this book because in the beginning it was suspenseful when he didn't know what the Bug-A-View was. I think it would be so cool to be a bug. The author's message is of friendship. Even though you make new friends, you don't have to give up your old ones. Charlie has some exciting adventures. How will Charlie change back into human form? Read this book and find out!

Do you like adventurous stories? Read this book
Have you ever turned into a bug? You can find out in Bug Boy, by Carol Sonenklar. When one boy named Charlie Caplan gets a bug transformer he can turn into any bug he wants to. But he takes big risks being a bug. At one point in the book his teacher almost steps on him. I liked this book a lot because the author wrote it so well you could picture what was happening in your head. This book told me risks can be fun but dangerous. Will Charlie get eaten? You can find out in Bug Boy.

If You Like Bugs, Read This Book!
How would it feel to be locked in a garbage truck? Well, that almost happened to Charlie Kaplan in the book Bug Boy, by Carol Sonenklar. This book is about a boy who changes into different insects. One day on his porch he finds something that looks like a flashlight. It says, 'See the world from a bug's eye view,' and that's exactly what he does. I liked when he turned into a tarantula and crawled onto his mom's face. She sneezed and he flew all the way to the back of the room. This story has a lot of insect adventures. Read this book to learn more about what happens to Charlie.

Do You Like Adventure? :)
How would it feel if you were a fly? Charlie Kaplan becomes a fly in the book Bug Boy by Carol Sonenklar. I like this book because it is very cool that he turns into a bug. I give this book a ten. His favorite show is Spiderman and so is mine. I want to read Bug Girl too. I bet it will be really cool like Bug Boy. The author tells a lot about bugs like spiders and beetles in this book so you actually learn while you read. Will Charlie be a fly forever? Read this book to find out.

The Interesting Bug
What would you do if you got a package and you didn't know who it was from? Bug Boy by Carol Sodenklar is about a boy who one day finds a package at the door. The package turns you into a bug when you say you want to be a bug. I like this book because I think it is funny that the kid is a bug. Can you imagine a boy being a bug? The author was writing this book to entertain kids. You should see what kind of bug he turns into! Read this book to find out! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A how-to and why book for butterflies
I'll share the review I wrote for The Home School Manual ========

A Kid's Guide to Attracting, Raising, and Keeping Butterflies. In addition to practical information, this attractive, 40-page book has interesting science information. For example, chemical sensors on butterfly feet allow them to "taste" leaves. 21 species are described with the regions of the US and Southern Canada where they may be found. One sentence I disagree with is. "No one knows why the dinosaurs died out. . . ." 1997, from John Muir Publications ... Read more

Book Description

‘Inch by Inch, Row by Row, Gonna Make This Garden Grow!' This picture book version of a favorite popular song charts the faithful progress of a young boy who overcomes every obstacle'rock and weeds and a hungry old crow'and makes his garden overflow with bounty. Included are the song lyrics set to music for guitar and piano.

An Alternate Selection of Children's Book-of-the-Month Club ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great to Sing and Read
I reconnected with this song after hearing John Denver sing it on a recently released 'Muppet Show' DVD. It's a song that I have enjoyed sharing with my 2 year old daughter and the book brings the lyrics to life. The illustrations are beautiful and well reflect the lyrics. The book is a staple must-read for us throughout the day and is essential at bedtime (Mom, sing the garden song again!). Several children's cds have this recording by other artists, but my favorite by far is the John Denver.

a song
If you know the tune thats great, if you don't, the book willsing to you! Children will choose this book over and over for the BIGillistrations, the large print and this book is fun. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Harry is a poisonous centipede but he's not very brave.Still, he is the star of this seriously squirmy story. Harry likes to eat things that wriggle and crackle, and things that are juicy and munchy! But there are some things that a centipede must never try to eat -- dangerous things like flying swoopers, belly wrigglers, mid the most dangerous of all ... Hoo-Mins!

Harry's mother makes him promise never to go up the Up-Pipe to the world of Hoo-Mins, but Harry's best friend, George, has other ideas! And as every young Hoo-Min knows, when your best friend wants to do something that sounds exciting, it's very hard to say no. So George and Harry poke their feelers out and smell the air....and that's when their adventures begin.

Lynne Reid Banks's storytelling sparkles in this tale of her new centipede hero and his creepy-crawly world. Fizzing with fun, it will be a delightfully squirmy experience for all young readers.

Reviews (4)

Buggy
There's not much substance to this story of Harry (actually, Hxzltl, in Centipede), a many-legged creature who lives down-under (ground, that is), beyond the world of the HOO-MINS. Unless, of course, you are an eight to 10-year-old reader, who likes animals of every kind, especially buggy ones, and adores characters who like you rebel against their parents' every instruction.

In that case, Harry is made to order, and you'll enjoy him so much you will read this book two or three times at least.

Perfect for second, third or fourth grade readers who prefer chapter books with illustrations, this 153-page story of an insect mischief-maker will delight kids who like to read down-under (blankets, after lights-out). Alyssa A. Lappen

A Centipede's Adventures
Meet Harry, he's young, charming, has many legs and he's poisonous. He lives with his mother, Belinda and best friend George, in tunnels under the ground. Like many young centipedes his age, he doesn't always listen to his mother and heed her warnings to stay away from the "no-top" world, where humans live and danger lurks around every corner. And because of this, we are treated to Harry and George's many adventures, as they leave their safe home underground, to go up above and experience the forbidden "no-top" world. Lynn Reid Banks has written a very creative and imaginative story, about the world, from a centipede's point of view. Her writing is witty and down to earth, full of funny dialogue and great, fast paced scenes. Your kids will be turning pages to the end, to find out what happens when Harry and George, finally come face to face with the dreaded human. The perfect book for youngsters aged 8-10, Harry the Poisonous Centipede is a winner.

Centi
This is a very good book. I recomend it to anyone that doesen't know how to speak centipedish. I think that all hoo-min kind should read it. (you'd know what I mean if you have read the book!)

You better read this exciting book!
Harry is a centipede who gets into a lot of trouble. George is a centipede who is best friends with Harry and lives with him. Blinda is Harry's mother and she takes care of George. One of Harry and George's adventures was going to the no-top-world. What will happen? Will they be eaten by other insects or will they survive? Read to find out!

I thought that this book was excellent for me, a third grader. I really understood it and it was the best book I have read in my entire life. ... Read more

Book Description

Meet one brainy spider who’s tired of getting washed off that famous waterspout—and decides to do something about it!Figuring there must be something she can buy that will do the trick, Itsy Bitsy heads to the nearest store. But with only a dead fly to trade with, it looks like she may be out of luck. However, being a spider who thinks outside the web, the spunky insect puts all eight legs to the task and comes up with a surprising way to survive any rainy day.

Inspired by her own daughter’s delight in the character and rhythms of the beloved song, Charise Mericle Harper created this affectionate homage for any child who’s ever sung along and wondered, "Hey, why does that spider keep falling off that spout?" ... Read more

Book Description

Some say it's the little things that matter most. But as you'll discover in Youch! little things can be the most dangerous! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This book certainly does not bite, it's sensational!
This book is written in a style that appeals to readers of all ages. It has large colour pictures to satisfy those who cannot read at all, simple text for young children who can read it like a picture book without lifting the flaps and detailed small print for adults and older readers. This book has a flap on all of the right hand pages which on the front pose a question with a detailed answer hidden underneath. The contents of this riveting read explain about deadly creatures and those which are mistaken to be deadly killers just because they're scary looking. Sensational book, I highly recommend it.

Youch! It's cool AND scary!
Most kids are, of course, totally fascinated by things that are slimy, squishy, walk on many hairy legs or potentially dangerous. Most kids will sit and play with caterpillars, pillbugs, frogs, toads and the like. Given the chance, most kids will even be interested in examining dead animals, like road kill, to see what's inside and what made 'em tick. It's no surprise, then, that a good many kids would be TOTALLY fascinated with "Youch! It Bites!" and it's collection of strange-looking and potentially dangerous animals, plants and insects.

Taking a tour of some of the more well-known (and usually deadly) insects, plants and animals, the authors provide the reader with close-up pictures of things like black widow spiders, jellyfish, poison ivy, mosquitoes and the like. Each page has a large illustration and a lift-the-flap section that gives more detail (more GORY detail, perhaps) about the thing being discussed. Comparisons and contrasts are discussed, for example the fact that a giant, hairy tarantula isn't dangerous to humans but a teeny-tiny black widow is. Little known details and electron microscope scans are on practically every page for that extreme-close-up view of things you normally miss-- like the sharp end of a mosquito's needle-like (and hairy!) proboscis and the stinging fang of a spider.

Potential readers-- ESPECIALLY young readers-- should be aware that this book is not for the squeamish or the easily frightened! For example, both a snake and a TOAD are seen eating mice that they have killed. While this is perfectly normal for the animal and what it does to survive, the large picture of a toad with a mouse in it's mouth is somehow horrifying-- you don't think of toads going after something that big. A close-up of a row of piranha teeth, pointy and needle-sharp, might make an impressionable or sensitive child think twice about going in the water, even though these fish aren't found in North America.

In short, as a parent and teacher, there are kids who will really get into this book, and kids who will get nightmares from this book. Young children, who can't understand that they won't get stung by jellyfish or eaten by piranha in the local poor or lake, shouldn't read this book. Also, care should be taken when reading this book to young children, as it's text is rather sensational and full of references to fangs "dripping with venom" and spiders that "can kill a person." When *I* was a kid, something like this would have had me cringing in bed all day long!

The book is very good and the illustrations are excellent, no doubt about that. I'm not sure that the tabloid-headline style of the text is a good choice-- implying that kids can die horrible deaths by being bitten by a teeny spider or eaten alive by sharp-toothed fish is a bit over the top for my taste, but then again, I was always sensitive as a child.

Think carefully of who you're buying this book for, and enjoy the wild and dangerous world of poisonous animals, plants and insects!

Kids love scary stuff, and this book delivers!
Hypermagnified, strikingly posed or peacefully in wait, the creatures of "Youch!" are brought to life in words and pics that tell the story just as they are. Scary creatures! I read this with my 5 year old son last night and he was fascinated and not the least uncomfortable. Kids love to be shocked; witness the faces of children at a wild animal show or even the circus.

Love the format, love the photos.

Visually striking, but hurt by an exploitative tone
I have mixed feelings about "Youch! It Bites: Real-Life Monsters, Up Close," the book written by Trevor Day in collaboration with Mike Jolley and Dugald Steer. Directed towards young readers, this educational book is an introduction to a wide assortment of potentially dangerous plants and animals. Species described include the rattlesnake, poison ivy, the piranha, the blue-ringed octopus, and many, many more. Day's text is accompanied on every page by detailed full-color photographs.

There is much to like about "Youch! It Bites." The physical format of the book is interesting. Every two-page spread contains a fold-out page with a surprise underneath the fold. From an educational standpoint, the book is full of fascinating facts and images. The mating dance of scorpions, the bright colors of tropical frogs, and other discoveries add to the book's appeal.

The main problem lies in the book's sensationalistic, exploitative tone. I don't like the "Jerry Springer" approach to educational children's books, and "Youch" revels in this mentality. It starts with the book's subtitle. The species in this book are not, in my opinion, "monsters," but rather animals simply trying to survive. The author constantly dwells on potential death and injury. I fear this book will, rather than get kids interested in nature, instead give them unhealthy phobias.

And some of the photos may simply be too graphic and frightening for more sensitive children. Particularly questionable is a huge close-up of a snake beginning to swallow a dead mouse. This is certainly a potentially nightmare-inducing image!

The collaborators on this book are to be commended for trying to make science fun. But the result is a very problematic book. I recommend that parents preview this text before sharing it with their children. But for bolder and more adventurous youngsters, this book may be a real treat. ... Read more

Book Description

Penned by a renowned naturalist, scientist and TV personality, it explores the fascinating world of insects. Packed with illustrations and full of ``amazing facts'' about moths, butterflies, bees, beetles, ants, spiders and many more of nature's smaller creatures. ... Read more

Book Description

The itsy bisty spider
Went up the waterspout.
Down came the rain
And washed the spider out!

But that itsy bisty spider is on its way back up again! Sing along with this timeless classic in the musical version of a favorite chrilden's game. Read the story then press the button to here the tune and sing along together!

Book Description

Swallowtails, sulphurs, and skippers. Brushfoots, whites, and gossamer wings. So many different kinds of butterflies!

In her highly praised Style, Carol Lerner shows you how to lure these winged beauties into your garden. She vividly depicts flowers that attract hungry butterflies, as well as plants where they leave their eggs. Her clear text explains what butterflies eat and how they grow -- from caterpillars to full-grown fliers.

Every bright butterfly inside this book also appears on the endpapers. Can you match them all? With some practice, you'll soon be able to identify those that come to your own butterfly garden.

Reviews (1)

For the littlest lepidopterists
Butterfly meets flower in this well illustrated picture book. Each page includes several butterflies and flowers. The butterflies are all idientified on the end pages, but are not named throughout the book. The flowers are, however, and one can make a game of identifying each butterfly on the pages, just as you might in your own garden, and take note of the flowers each species prefers. Butterflies in this book are categorized by family, so you can make an educated guess as to the type of those butterflies which fly into your yard that are not represented in the book. The large format is simple and uncluttered...perfect for emerging lepidopterists. ... Read more

Book Description

Children follow the life of a busy worker bee as she moves from job to job in the hive, helping the community in various ways. As a nurse bee, the worker feeds the larvae, nourishing the young into adulthood. As a forager bee, she flies long distances in search of nectar, pollinating plants as she moves from flower to flower. And as a guard bee, the worker warns the hive of intruders and battles honey-stealing robber bees from other hives. The simple, informative text and vibrant gouache art highlight the many activities of these busy insects and their amazing sense of community, while a special experiment encourages kids to dance like a honeybee to learn about bee communication.

Reviews (4)

The Wonderful World of Worker Bees
This author came to my kids' school and shared this book with us (I am a mom and came to the assembly). It is a great book, and my kids all love it (ages 6-12). I learned so much about Honeybees from the text and the illustrations are so unique. This is not your typical boring non-fiction book. It is written in a lively manner and the illustrations are bright and beautiful. The reason I'm writing is that even though I ordered the book through school for my kids, I am ordering more to give as presents (...) I highly recommend this book -- .

The Best Book about Bees for Children
I am a beekeeper and I have been looking for a book about bees for children for years. This one is not only beautiful (what gorgeous, fun art!), it is also scientifically accurate, easy to understand--and really fun to read. There is humor in this book, too. The author and illustrator really knew what they were doing. Publisher, too. Those honeycombed endpapers are ingenius. Plus I see that they used a reknown beekeeper and author as their expert, and that was brilliant. Kudos to National Geographic and the author/illustrator team.

Honeybees by Deborah Heiligman, illustrated by Carla Bolembe
Ever wondered how bees make honey? Dive into this lively informative book about bees and find out why " Busy as a bee" is not an idle statement! Discover which bees work, feed, fly and warn the hive of possible attacks. The book is well written, vividly illustrated and artistically designed. Notice the end papers!Deborah Heiligman takes a complicated concept and explains it in carefully chosen clarifying details. Add this to your home library. You'll return to it, again and again.

The colorful and exciting life of honeybees
As the father of an eight year old who is not particularly interested in science, I am always looking for science themed books that will capture my son's attention. Honeybees is just such a book. My son (and my daughter and I) found the story of the honeybee's life to be intriguing. Their society is truly fascinating. Heiligman's text is well written and informative. Carla Golembe's colorful illustrations are exquisite, imaginative and accurate at the same time. A most impressive accomplishment. ... Read more