BUGS

Facts about insects—including the distinction between the many insects people casually call “bugs” and the characteristics of “true bugs”—are accompanied by colorful illustrations and charts.

This author-illustrator team was behind the excellent Trees (2019), and this one continues the tradition. The artwork has a joyfulness that will entice even those who are squeamish about these crawling and flying critters. The text offers simple, but not oversimplified, explanations of such concepts as both complete and incomplete metamorphosis, the different ways in which insects create homes, and the varied locomotion methods of water bugs. The explanation of galls in trees—a fascinating cooperation between flora and fauna—is particularly noteworthy for its clarity and brevity. Each page has a large, appealing heading introducing topics, including double-page spreads for “Bugs in Spring” and each of the other seasons. Several interspersed columns headed “Strange Bugs” give additional facts about unique insects. For example, silverfish have no metamorphosis; they hatch from eggs as tiny replicas of the adults they will become. The section entitled “Beginner Bug-Watching” gives tips on how to identify different kinds of bugs and provides an illustrated list of the best child-friendly tools to store in “a bug-watcher’s backpack.” A page called “Endangered Bugs” discusses environmental concerns, the value of insects, and ways to ensure their preservation. Callout symbols shaped like ladybugs add more fun to this valuable reference source.

No fly in this ointment.