Backyard Bugs [Hardcover]

Robin K. Laughlin (Photographer), Sue Hubbell (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

Crawling with full-color, larger-than-life photographs, Backyard Bugs depicts the amazing bugs we see around us every day in an altogether new light. From common pill bugs to exotic-looking dragonflies, tiny orange mites to green fanged spiders, Robin Kittrell Laughlin's vivid photographs capture the kaleidoscopic colors, fascinating details, and amazing facial expressions (yes, expressions) of these underappreciated creatures. With a witty homage to bugs by best selling author Sue Hubbell, scientific information about the bugs and their habitats, amusing literary quotes, and a glossary of bug terminology, Backyard Bugs is sure to capture the imagination of nature lovers, gardeners, and kids all ages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In my experience, youngsters who have not absorbed the current popular American notion that bugs are bad are fascinated with them. And so are adults who have shaken free from that notion. -- from the Foreword by Sue Hubbell

About the Author

Robin K. Laughlin is a photographer and bug lover who lives in a small town outside Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Sue Hubbell is a noted naturalist, devoted beekeeper, and author of several best-selling books, including Broadsides from the other order: A Book of Bugs. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811809072
• ISBN-13: 978-0811809078
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stunning photos of bugs and thought-provoking text., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Backyard Bugs (Hardcover)

Ms. Laughlin offers us 50-odd stunningly beautiful full-color portraits of more or less common insects, spiders, centipedes and other "bugs," along with commentary ranging from her experience with a particular bug to where she was in her life when the photo was taken. Apt literary quotes add a final delicious spice to this sumptuous book. Some scientific information is included but we are rightly urged to first marvel, and ask questions later.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a one of a kind bug book, November 9, 2000

By 

Joanie (Tulsa, Ok USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backyard Bugs (Hardcover)

The author sees the wonders of the everyday insect and inspires that wonder in me through her written description of each bug and the clear photograph of each insect. She has a wonderful sense of humor and can tell a good story which holds my interest and keeps me turning the pages and savoring each bug story. The author writes about the crablike spiny orb weaver spider. "I found her in an azalea tree in northern Florida. These tiny spiders live on the edges of woodlands and in shrubby gardens. Their range extends from the southeastern United States west to California. They eat the small insects that they catch in round, vertical webs that they weave anew each night. The male is even smaller than the female and is seldom noticed, unlike most males in the animal kingdom." I have given this book to adults and children who marvel at the wonders of nature and who love a good story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Insects, September 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Backyard Bugs (Hardcover)

I like this book. I am a BIG buglover and have plenty of scientific field guides on insects. Robin's book is more relaxed, casual fun, and very enjoyable.

Her photographs are wonderful and the text light, perfect for introducing insect enthusiasts/children into a world that exists right in their very backyard.

I only withold one star because I really wanted all the insects to literally be from her backyard (she got some help from friends :). Okay, so maybe the follow-up book will do just that...right?