Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

‘Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!’ is the latest title from the brilliant team of Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker. Full of fascinating facts, this is the perfect book for every entomophile- and even those less keen on our insect friends!

Children are fascinated by ‘creepy crawlies’ and studying them is often a popular topic in schools, capturing curiosity and enthusiasm, and allowing them to ‘work scientifically’ by observing these incredible creatures for themselves. This book is perfect for supporting and developing this interest both at home and at school.

Beautiful illustrations, including labelled diagrams and sequenced pictures, accompany the text, supporting comprehension and developing understanding. The spread about ‘water bugs’, for example, could be used to aid identification of bugs in a garden pond, perhaps leading to children drawing and labelling their own.

Covering everything from feeding habits to life cycles, there are so many fascinating facts here. The information is written in a very accessible style with plenty of humour, whilst using the correct terminology to explain processes. Concluding with a section which explains why bugs are so important and what we can do to help them, there is so much to learn here.

Whether fascinated- or horrified - by spiders, intrigued by gastropods or annoyed by mosquitoes, ‘Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!’ is the book you need!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

bsmall publishing ISBN: 978-1916851252

You can read my review of ‘Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!’ here and ‘Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!’ here.

It’s Tough to be Tiny

‘It’s Tough to be Tiny’ offers a fascinating and entertaining look at the world of the tiniest creatures. Miniscule they may be, but they have ways and means of defending and attacking which are ingenious and often surprising!

The book introduces the reader to a whole host of creatures and their habits. The larvae of the horse mint tortoise beetle carries a ‘poo umbrella’, filled with toxic chemicals from the plants they eat, which they can lift up and wave around or swing like a club if they feel threatened. Stentor, on the other hand, ball themselves up like a sock locate a good hunting ground and then stretch themselves into a trumpet shape and start up their tractor beam which drags other creatures inside this funnel where they are digested.

Other micro-monsters take a different approach, looking to others for protection or support. The Hawaiian bobtail squid is protected from predators by glowing bacteria living in their belly who benefit from the safety of living inside the squid and being provided with a supply of food and oxygen.

Every page is packed with fascinating facts, presented in easily digestible sections and all accompanied by appealing illustrations. The book is perfect for anyone curious about the natural world and the creatures who are both tough and tiny.

It’s Tough to be Tiny: The Secret Life of Small Creatures

Kim Ryall Woolcock, illustrated by Stacey Thomas

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 9781838740764