Friday, November 9, 2012

Insect Detective



Insect Detective
By Steve Voake; illustrated by Charlotte Voake
32 pages, ages 5-8
Candlewick Press, 2010

“Right now, all around you, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things,” writes Steve Voake. The problem is, you have to know where to look. Fortunately, this book guides young nature detectives to the best places to find bugs. Hear that scratching sound by the fence? Sneak up and take a peek – it might be a paper wasp scraping at the wood with her jaws. Want to find an ant nest? Follow that ant! Can’t see any insects? It could be they’re hiding in plain sight, camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings. So look closer.

The illustrations provide enough detail to engage readers and are simple enough to encourage curious naturalists to sketch the insects they see. And all kids have to do to see this magical mysterious world is “…open the door and step outside.”

Theme: backyard nature study, observation
Beyond the book: The back pages offer directions for making pitfall traps, constructing bee condos and tell-tale signs that wasps have been gnawing on your picnic table.

This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday), an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. November is also Picture Book Month Review copy provided by the publisher.

9 comments:

  1. The cover illustrations are lovely. We'll need this one when toddler gets a little bigger.

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  2. Wouldn't kids love this? Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I know some nieces and nephews that will like this.

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  3. Great choice. I really enjoy books that encourage kids to explore the natural world around them. It encourages a child to be fully present and observant. Sounds like a beautiful, imaginative and quiet book. Thanks for sharing this!

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  4. Wow - this looks great! I am reading Elsie Piddock, also illustrated by Voake, again and I just melt away looking at the pictures, but I also think bugs RULE, so this is going straight to the top of my list!

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  5. This looks like a sure winner with children who love insects, Sue! Will try and get it for my daughter, she is an absolute creepy-crawly freak! Thanks for sharing it here

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  6. Sue, I like the sounds of this book. I'm a former teacher and kids were always bringing me bugs, worms, caterpillars,even snakes, to look at during recess. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. This sounds like a wonderful nature-lovers nonfiction picture book, Sue.

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  8. This looks like a great book!! I like the sketchy like illustrations and I love watching bugs! I'll be looking for this one. Thanks!

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  9. This book sounds great! I'll have to find a copy for my son, it is right up his alley.

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