THIS IS YOUR LIFE CYCLE

A dragonfly nymph emerges from the water and into the spotlight in this hilarious pondside version of the classic TV show. With a buggy audience gasping and cheering in the background, suave six-legged host Bob Beetle chronicles wide-eyed Dahlia’s nautical life from hatchling to tadpole-munching predator, then trots out three Mystery Guests: her Mom (“I was so exhausted when I finished [laying over 800 eggs], I just sat down and died”), glowering Box Turtle, the first of many deadly threats she escaped, and last but not least, her brother Flash. “Flash! I’m so excited I popped my exoskeleton!” Dahlia exclaims, molting on screen and then shyly retreating behind a leaf to let her new wings dry out. Following the commercial (for BIRD-B-GONE!), she makes a dramatic re-entry as an adult—with an unmistakably hungry look that prompts a hasty “It’s time for us to buzz off!” The insect audience may decamp, but the human one is sure to stay glued to Chesworth’s comical cartoon pictures and Miller’s riotous take on nature in action. (concluding Q&A) (Informational picture book. 7-9)