About Insects: A Guide for Children [Hardcover]

Cathryn Sill (Author), John Sill (Illustrator), John Sill (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: About... (Peachtree Hardcover)

A fabulous addition to an important series for kids, this book explores the fascinating world of insects. Once again, teacher Cathryn Sill and her husband, illustrator John Sill, have collaborated on the most recent addition to the ABOUTseries. They tackle the fascinating and varied world of insects in this easy-to-read and educational book, painting these creatures in their respective natural habitats, explaining what insects are, how they live, and what they do. The captivating scenes depicted by noted wildlife illustrator John Sill in ABOUT INSECTS aid in the explanation of basic characteristics that all insects share as well as offering a look into the many differences of the animals that fall into this diverse category. As in the previous books, an afterword provides further detail on the insects portrayed to inspire young readers to learn more.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-This title offers separate, full-page watercolor paintings of 18 different kinds of insects in their natural habitats. Insects depicted include: silverfish, giant walkingstick, black horse fly, elephant stag beetle, gladiator katydid, honey bee, and luna moth. A single line of large, bold-print text appears on the page opposite each illustration; on the bottom right-hand corner, a caption provides the common name of the species depicted. Each simple sentence or fragment describes either a general characteristic shared by all insects, or a special characteristic of a particular group. Additional bits of general information about insects as well as miscellaneous facts about the featured species are appended. As in About Birds (1991), About Mammals (1997), and About Reptiles (1999, all Peachtree), the realistic watercolor paintings are this book's main focus. They are bright, attractive, and nicely varied in composition. However, despite their visual appeal, the artwork sometimes fails to illustrate the text effectively. For example, the painting of mantis nymphs emerging from an egg case does not match the text, which reads, "Young insects hatch from eggs." As no eggs are visible, this statement is apt to be confusing. Sandra Markle's Creepy, Crawly Baby Bugs (Walker, 1996) provides more detailed information on insect anatomy, reproduction, and behavior and is illustrated with excellent, close-up color photographs.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"In image and text the Sills succeed in conveying a great deal of information at a very basic reading level. Excellent classroom or pleasure reading for science and nature fans and for any beginning readers drawn to nonfiction." ?Booklist

"...a beautiful picture book..." --Science Books & Film

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561452076
• ISBN-13: 978-1561452071
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,387,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome illustrations, July 29, 2010

By 

Barbara "bew71" (Front Royal, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: About Insects: A Guide for Children (Hardcover)

My son and I both love these books. They have basic facts that are scientifically accurate, interesting, but not too much information for a pre-schooler. The drawings are great and make this one you will come back to again and again.

5.0 out of 5 stars must have book for your preschooler, April 7, 2011

By 

aam - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: About Insects: A Guide for Children (Paperback)

A very good reference book for teachers but also totally enjoyable for the 3-5 year olds. The text is so simple that my kids enjoy reading it.

2 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not too bad., June 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: About Insects: A Guide for Children (Hardcover)

Not a bad book, easy for kids to understand, good pictures,well worth the money.