Bugs Are Insects (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) (Paperback)

by Anne Rockwell (Author), Steve Jenkins (Illustrator) "I here are many kinds of insects living all around us..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-This well-written and informative book introduces budding entomologists to the world of insects and bugs. Rockwell offers basic factual information in an interesting, easy-to-read format. Common insects are introduced, and the main differences between insects and spiders are explained as well as what makes a bug a bug. The collage illustrations are beautifully rendered with layered colored papers of a variety of textures that add both depth and details to the creatures. The honeybee looks extremely lifelike with a fuzzy body and legs, and the illustration of a multihued birdwing butterfly accurately and attractively shows it sucking nectar from a flower. An index identifies the types of insects and other bugs that are found in the book, and some projects are suggested for those interested in learning more about insects. A strong title for both school and public libraries.

Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 5-8. OK, so a bug is a bug is a bug. Well, not according to this entry in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out-Science series. Children will learn what makes a bug a bug and a beetle a beetle, and why butterflies and water striders are considered insects but spiders, daddy longlegs, and ladybugs aren't. The spare, carefully written text makes the distinction between insects and bugs quite clear, and the paper-cut illustrations don't overwhelm with tiny details. Young naturalists will also get some well-illustrated instruction on how to examine their own backyard insects and determine what they have found. The "Find Out More about Insects" section at the back offers other ideas--among them, making an insect calendar and planting a garden to attract butterflies. A key to the creatures in the illustrations (none of which are labeled) is appended, but there's still going to be some guesswork for younger children when several different insects appear on a spread. Shelley Townsend Hudson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Collins (May 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064452034
• ISBN-13: 978-0064452038
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,348 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( R ) > Rockwell, Anne
  #11 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders > Nonfiction
  #11 in	Books > Children's Books > Early Reader Series > Let's Read and Find Out Science

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give this book 4.5 stars..., January 11, 2005

By	A Parent (NYC) - See all my reviews

My 3-year-old daughter is crazy about all the creepy crawly critters of the world, so I knew she would love this book, and her father and I think it's pretty cool as well. The cut paper illustrations are wonderful to look at, and the text is quite informative for readers of any age, yet it's accessible to even young preschoolers like mine.

However, I do have one criticism of the book, which is that it depicts crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and centipedes without offering any explanation of what kind of animals they are. The book also mentions spiders, scorpions, and daddy longlegs, and for these we are told that they are arachnids rather than insects, so why the lack of clarification for the other non-insect arthropods? It would have been very simple and logical for the text to include the information that crabs, lobsters, and shrimps belong to a group of animals called crustaceans, which is related to insects and arachnids, and that centipedes are members of another related group called myriapods. That's it, nothing more complicated would have been necessary... Or else don't introduce those animals at all. But don't make a point of putting them in the book only to say, "These are not insects," and then not bother to properly identify them for the reader; that's pointless and likely to leave many kids (and probably most parents) confused.

Still, the book is otherwise so nice, I wish it was possible to deduct only half a star from its rating for that one flaw.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased with this series, November 15, 2004

By	Somewhat bookish girl (CT Shoreline) - See all my reviews

This book is a very good resource for study/teaching at the primary grade levels. The cut paper illustrations are beautiful and engaging. The text more than holds its own by giving young readers a chance to observe and compare many different kinds of insects and even an arachnid or two. Readers learn for themselves precisely 'what makes an insect an insect', while at the same time picking up a few good science vocabulary words and catching a glimpse of several dozens of different insects, (all of which are identified at the back of the book). Also included is a page with several suggestions for follow up activities.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for elementary science teachers, April 5, 2007

By	C. Castillo (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a preschool science teacher and I have found this book to be incredibly helpful when we were learning about how living things are classified. When learning about invertebrates, this is the book to have! The language is age appropriate and the illustrations are excellent. My preschoolers love this book! They walk away with a lot of information that is easy to remember.