That Gunk on Your Car: A Unique Guide to the Insects of North America (Paperback)

~ Mark Hostetler (Author) "I know what you're thinking ... how the heck can you hit an ant with your windshield when they crawl on the ground?..." (more)
Key Phrases: natural life history, antlion larvae, jumping plant lice, Fun Things, North America, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

That Gunk on Your Car is a seriously funny book filled with fascinating information about common insects, especially the ones you are most likely to find splattered on your windshield. Chapters are organized around the individual insects--ants, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, butterflies, crickets, midges--and include information on the natural history and life cycles of each and fun things you can do with the insects. That Gunk on Your Car would be an excellent parent/child participatory book: the lively text is easy to read and scientifically accurate.

Product Description

Fascinated by the critters he found stuck to his car at the end of a road trip, zoologist Mark Hostetler started looking into just what ends up on your windshield and why. From the common mole cricket to the dog-day cicada, this scientifically sound and charmingly written book makes an amusing and educational addition to any offbeat nature list.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; 1st edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089815961X
• ISBN-13: 978-0898159615
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #368,502 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #83 in	Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Invertebrates
  #91 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Entomology
  #93 in	Books > Science > Agricultural Sciences > Entomology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book to share with others, October 14, 1998

By A Customer

It took a while to convince our librarian to buy the book for the collection, but once the book arrived it made the rounds through the staff members before reaching the public shelves. Also, I gave it as a birthday gift to a friend who just bought a motorcycle.

The book is quite a novelty. For someone who enjoys animal behavior, this was an unusual way to learn. For children, not only are the "ewh, gross" splat plates interesting, but Hostetler has included some activites and games to keep them busy.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Purchase!, December 21, 2000

By	Steve St. John (Crofton, MD) - See all my reviews

This is a fun book that is great for kids and adults alike. The author does a great job relating information in a fun way, with all kinds of activities suggested. Even better, the illustrations in the book are unbelievable. A must read!