Book Reviews Insects

Flutter into a charming adventure with a young butterfly who has fallen head-over-wings for a beautiful gossamer-winged butterfly. But there's a problem: she's surrounded by a puzzling mystery under the may-apple plant! Our brave hero needs your help to uncover the truth. Join him and his loyal insect friends—a clever spider, a helpful moth, and two cheerful ladybugs—as they work together to solve the secrets. Can this team of tiny detectives piece together the clues and help the young butterfly find his way to true friendship and understanding? This delightful story is perfect for young readers who love mysteries, nature, and tales of courage.

Jump into the wild Meet Doug, Abby, and Josh, the bravest and funniest bugs around! Doug and Abby are absolutely obsessed with being Bug Scouts, from hanging out in their top-secret headquarters to wearing official gear and eating tons of snacks. Josh just likes the snacks. Why it pulls you in To earn their highly coveted foraging badge, the tiny crew must head deep into the dangerous woods to successfully find an edible plant. Their wild trek is packed with hilarious mishaps, grumbling complaints from Josh, and unexpected dangers lurking behind every leaf. What to expect With poisonous plants blocking their path and a very clever, hungry frog watching their every move, the scouts must use teamwork and quick thinking to survive. This graphic novel delivers massive laughs and incredible buggy adventures.

Jump into the woods Bug Scouts Doug, Abby, Josh, and Luna are hitting the trail for a massive camping trip to earn their highly coveted camping Bug Badge. Everyone is incredibly excited for a fun night of roasting gooey s'mores, singing loud campfire songs, and sharing spooky ghost stories. Everyone except Josh, that is! Why it pulls you in Just as the bugs settle in for the night, they start hearing very eerie noises echoing through the dark trees. The hilarious panic sets in as the scouts wonder if a scary monster is lurking right outside their tent. What to expect Filled with laugh-out-loud puns, dynamic comic panels, and tons of heart, this outdoor adventure is perfect for young readers looking for big laughs and unforgettable bug characters.

Deep inside her tiny body, one single queen bee carries the entire future of her colony. This is the fascinating life cycle of the rusty-patched bumblebee, an incredible insect whose story begins in early spring. When the queen emerges from her underground home, she immediately sets out to gather golden pollen, lay her eggs, and build a bustling nest. You will watch in awe as summer arrives, hatching dozens of busy worker bees who help her maintain the hive. As the very first bee to land on the Endangered Species list, this queen's journey is both a miracle of science and an urgent call to care for our planet. Discover the essential magic of pollination and learn exactly which native plants these fuzzy heroes need to survive. It all begins with a single bee.

Step outside and listen closely—the world around you is buzzing, crawling, and fluttering with incredible life! Insects are absolutely everywhere, and believe it or not, there are far more of them on Earth than there are human beings. In this exciting exploration of the tiny creatures that share our planet, you will get up close and personal with bugs that bite, fly, and build amazing homes. Discover the fascinating secrets of insect behavior and see how they survive in almost every environment. Featuring amazing insights inspired by the Smithsonian Insect Zoo, this book uses fantastic photographs to show you the hidden lives of your favorite multi-legged neighbors. Get ready to look at bugs in a whole new way!

Silly Spider is loose in the bathroom, and catching him is half the fun. He pops up in the bathtub, hides under the soap, slips behind the towel, and keeps moving just when you think you have found him. With flaps to lift and a lively search on every page, this interactive picture book turns a small spider into a big game. The simple text and repeating chase make it easy to join in, while the bathroom setting gives each hiding place a funny surprise. Playful rather than scary, Silly Spider! is a cheerful choice for readers who like bugs, lift-the-flap books, and silly stories that can be read again as soon as they end.

Something strange lands in the insect garden on a Thursday, and everyone wants a look. No one knows what the shiny Wonder is. It might be an egg, a gumdrop, or something no bug has ever seen before. Spider decides it belongs to him because it fell near his house, so he builds a fancy display and starts charging the other insects to visit. At first, the Wonder brings excitement. Then Spider’s plans grow bigger, the lines grow longer, and the fun begins to disappear. It Fell From the Sky is a clever, beautifully illustrated picture book about curiosity, community, and sharing. With tiny insect characters and a marvelous mystery at its center, it gives readers plenty to notice, laugh about, and think over.

Mr. and Mrs. Mantis are out foraging for their next meal when they stumble across a mysterious, solitary egg. Knowing it will hatch into a juicy caterpillar soon, the hungry insect couple brings it home and patiently waits. But when the egg finally cracks open, they are in for a massive surprise. Out pops a speedy, bright red critter that immediately zooms away at top speed! The Mantises frantically try to chase down their escaping dinner, but the high-speed chase only attracts more hungry predators. Soon, an entire crowd of creatures has set their sights on eating the incredibly nimble Ginger-Red Caterpillar. You will follow the hilarious, fast-paced pursuit in this clever graphic novel that reimagines the classic story of The Gingerbread Man with a fantastic bug-filled twist.

A shining web deep in the forest changes the way two weavers see their work. In this retelling of a Ghanaian legend, two Ashanti weavers discover a spider spinning a pattern so delicate and beautiful that it seems almost magical. The web’s colors and design inspire them to return to their village and try something new at their looms. The Spider Weaver brings together folklore, art, and cultural history in a graceful picture book about creativity and tradition. As you follow the weavers’ discovery, you can see how careful watching, imagination, and respect for nature help give rise to kente cloth, one of the world’s most celebrated woven textiles.

A tiny ladybug can lead to a big burst of storytime wonder. Ladybug pairs a cute insect character with handmade pop-up surprises, giving young readers something to notice, touch, and talk about on every spread. Designed as a short, visual picture book, it is especially appealing to children who like bright pages, friendly creatures, and books that feel a little like toys. The pop-up format makes the reading experience active without making the story difficult to follow. For ages 6 to 8, Ladybug works well as a light independent read or a cheerful shared read-aloud, especially for children drawn to backyard bugs, gentle friendship stories, and playful paper engineering.

Percival the caterpillar has lost his front door key, and sitting still will not get him home. Off he hurries to ask his friends, hoping one of them has found what he is missing. This pop-up picture book gives a small everyday problem a bright, friendly shape. Young readers can follow Percival from page to page, enjoy the surprise of the pop-up format, and see how asking for help can turn a worry into an adventure. For ages 6 to 8, Percival the Caterpillar works well as a cheerful read-aloud or a short independent read. Its insect hero, simple mystery, and friendship theme make it especially appealing for children who like gentle stories with interactive pages.

Deep within the dark, wriggly tunnels of the earth lives Harry, a poisonous centipede who loves munching on juicy, crackly things. Even though he has venom to protect him, Harry is not very brave. His mother has strictly warned him about the terrible dangers that lurk outside their nest—menacing flying swoopers, terrifying furry biters, and the most dangerous creatures of all: the dreaded Hoo-Mins! But when curiosity gets the better of Harry and his best friend George, they accidentally squirm their way up toward the light of the no-top world. Suddenly, the two multi-legged buddies find themselves face-to-face with a gigantic, stomping Hoo-Min walking on its hairy-biter feet! Lost in an enormous, scary world, Harry and George must scurry for their lives. They will have to dodge giant shoes, escape from tight traps, and overcome their own fears to find their way back home. Packed with squirmy fun and insect-sized action, their delightful adventure proves that even the smallest creatures can find big courage when they need it most.