BOMPA'S INSECT EXPEDITION

The veteran science popularizer takes his two young grandchildren deep into the natural world—right outside their door.

Twins Nakina and Kaoru are initially disappointed that grizzled (and instantly recognizable as the author) Bompa isn’t taking them to a less familiar locale. “You might be surprised,” he responds. Indeed, just bending down for a closer look at passing insect life touches off a fascinating series of exchanges and revelations that begins with the basics—“Bompa, are insects animals?”—and moves on to freewheeling discussions of insect behavior and body parts, of how much caterpillars can eat and ants can carry, and then to larger questions: What would happen if mosquitoes disappeared? If we did? Along with lavishing her lush, grassy settings with wildflowers and exactly drawn fauna from beetles to birds, Leng indulges the fancies of the three Asian-presenting observers by endowing each with dragonfly wings in one scene, giving them a sobering glimpse of a meadow bereft of flowers and pollinators, and shrinking them down for face-to-face encounters. “After all, insects are competitive eaters, champion weight lifters, and expert fliers. They’re the world’s most interesting picnic guests.” The backmatter features a supply list for budding naturalists and a list of activity suggestions for would-be “insect heroes.”

A terrific invitation to take closer looks and think longer thoughts.