Insects have been around for a very long time; they even existed at the same time as the dinosaurs! Did you know that all bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs?

 

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST

Simon opens this attractive introduction to insects by explaining in a kid-friendly way how people commonly misidentify these animals. Referencing the scientific classification system, he clarifies why it’s correct to refer to some insects (but not all) as bugs and why spiders aren’t insects at all. After discussing insect metamorphosis, senses, numbers, and history, he introduces familiar members of a number of orders, from beetles, bees, wasps, and ants to butterflies and moths. A section of interesting factoids describes the Goliath beetle as “about the weight of a good-sized hamburger.” Each double-page spread includes one or more well-chosen color photographs, which are notable for their clarity, composition, and usefulness in illustrating points mentioned in the adjacent text. Like other Simon books, this one is readily identifiable by its large, square format, excellent photos, and large-print text. And like his other recent volumes, it includes a glossary, an index, and a brief list of online resources. Handsome and useful, here’s a solid addition to science collections. — Carolyn Phelan

Simon opens this attractive introduction to insects by explaining in a kid-friendly way how people commonly misidentify these animals. Referencing the scientific classification system, he clarifies why it’s correct to refer to some insects (but not all) as bugs and why spiders aren’t insects at all. After discussing insect metamorphosis, senses, numbers, and history, he introduces familiar members of a number of orders, from beetles, bees, wasps, and ants to butterflies and moths. A section of interesting factoids describes the Goliath beetle as “about the weight of a good-sized hamburger.” Each double-page spread includes one or more well-chosen color photographs, which are notable for their clarity, composition, and usefulness in illustrating points mentioned in the adjacent text. Like other Simon books, this one is readily identifiable by its large, square format, excellent photos, and large-print text. And like his other recent volumes, it includes a glossary, an index, and a brief list of online resources. Handsome and useful, here’s a solid addition to science collections. — Carolyn Phelan

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PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Prolific science writer Simon offers a clear, concise exploration of insects and their characteristics, accompanied by crisp nature photographs taken from stock sources. After providing some eye-opening details about insects’ history on the planet and their current numbers—“about 200 million insects for every human on Earth”—he dives into the qualities that distinguish various orders, such as Coleoptera (beetles), Orthoptera (which includes crickets and grasshoppers), and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). It’s chock full of intriguing details (“There are so many insects that just listing each kind would take thousands upon thousands of book pages”) that will fascinate future entomologists.

Prolific science writer Simon offers a clear, concise exploration of insects and their characteristics, accompanied by crisp nature photographs taken from stock sources. After providing some eye-opening details about insects’ history on the planet and their current numbers—“about 200 million insects for every human on Earth”—he dives into the qualities that distinguish various orders, such as Coleoptera (beetles), Orthoptera (which includes crickets and grasshoppers), and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). It’s chock full of intriguing details (“There are so many insects that just listing each kind would take thousands upon thousands of book pages”) that will fascinate future entomologists.

[ Read more ]