The Beetle Book [Hardcover]

Steve Jenkins (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 2012 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 980L (What's this?)

Beetles squeak and beetles glow.
Beetles stink, beetles sprint, beetles walk on water.
With legs, antennae, horns, beautiful shells, knobs, and other oddities—what’s not
to like about beetles?
The beetle world is vast: one out of every four living things on earth is a beetle.
There are over 350,000 different species named so far and scientists suspect there may
be as many as a million.
From the goliath beetle that weighs one fourth of a pound to the nine inch long
titan beetle, award-winning author-illustrator Steve Jenkins presents a fascinating array
of these intriguing insects and the many amazing adaptations they have made to
survive.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Through striking illustrations and intriguing information, this large-format book introduces the world of beetles. The text opens with the startling information that one quarter of every kind of plant and animal on Earth is a beetle. After an overview of body structure, sections are devoted to topics such as beetles’ senses, behaviors, life cycles, communications, and defenses. The fully illustrated format will appeal to a younger audience, but the book is better suited to children who are already familiar with words such as toxin or pupa. Well regarded for his collages of cut and torn papers, Jenkins is in top form in these illustrations, offering intricate, precise images of beetles isolated on broad white pages. The pictures combine clarity of form with subtlety of texture and color. A typical double-page spread features several large-scale individual pictures with small-type paragraphs of information appearing alongside them. At the bottom of some pages, black silhouettes show the actual sizes of beetles pictured above. While the book lacks such traditional back matter as a glossary, source notes, and bibliographies, it includes a list of each species mentioned, its Latin name, and its locale. A richly varied and visually riveting introduction to beetles, both familiar and strange. Grades 3-5. --Carolyn Phelan

Review

"Jenkins' splendid array of beetles will surely produce at least one budding coleopterist...distinguished both as natural history and work of art"--Kirkus, starred review "Jenkins brings his signature style to the world of beetles...As always, the design of the book is exemplary."--Horn Book

"A richly varied and visually riveting introduction to beetles, both familiar and strange."--Booklist, starred review

"Jenkins's enthusiasm for his subject shines through in this rich and varied compendium."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Jenkins offers a wealth of information about beetles and presents it impeccably."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The combination of sophisticated look and highly visual approach makes this accessible to a wide audience, and this is one that'll certainly be picked up immediately if left strategically on a library table."--Bulletin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547680848
• ISBN-13: 978-0547680842
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Biology
  • #23 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Zoology

More About the Author

Steve Jenkins has written and illustrated thirty picture books for young readers, including the Caldecott Honor-winning What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? His books have been called stunning, eyepopping, inventive, gorgeous, masterful, extraordinary, playful, irresistible, compelling, engaging, accessible, glorious, and informative. He lives in Colorado with his wife and frequent collaborator, Robin Page, and their children. To learn more about Steve and his books, visit www.stevejenkinsbooks.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Edu-tainment. This book is a fun read full of kid-pleasing facts December 14, 2012

By Pam T TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

IF you have a child(ren) interested in insects, then you definitely need to check out THE BEETLE BOOK.

Bright and colorful, Steve Jenkins has pulled together a great science book that gives all sorts of facts about beetles in a manner that's entertaining, and not overwhelming.

Jenkins uses illustrations in this book instead of photos. And most of the images of the huge variety of beetles that he introduces the reader to, are double in size.

Jenkins displays the various shapes and colors that beetles can have.
He also talks about their numbers, their body parts, their many abilities --like waging chemical warfare-- and facts about their senses, mating habits and more.

Truly there's a great deal of easily digested information in this book.

Overall I really like it. It's great edu-tainment and would be good for a classroom situation because the drawing are large.

Those that are looking for photos will have to look elsewhere. And I actually understand why Jenkins didn't go that route. There are so many beetles that in fact, seeing many of them 'in a photo', doesn't really help identify them. And as the book stands now, the artwork is exceedingly attractive and keeps the reader turning pages to see what's next.

The biggest drawback in my mind, is that the book is written at nearly the 6th grade level.

Pam T~

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all ages! May 4, 2013

By Ann Murphy

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave this as a gift to my nephew's son, but everyone enjoyed reading it before we wrapped it! Amazing drawings, colors, and facts.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing April 27, 2013

By Miss Patrice

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this for my 7 year old nephew, he has been in love with bugs since he was born. I wanted something not only with great imaging, but with details and descriptions. Its perfect. He can't read yet, but this way, when he can he will still love the book!