Title: Creepy Critters
Authors: Richard Hawke and Robin Bouttell
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2012
Book Type: Non-Fiction
Ages: 4 and up
Themes: Insects
Synopsis (from Abrahms website):
With realistic illustrations and creepy fun facts about each bug, this colorful book will fascinate young readers as it brings six different bugs to life in 3-D. Readers will meet a hairy orange spider, a honeybee, a huge red cockroach, a blue beetle, a grasshopper, and a spotted ladybug.
Activities:
Classroom:
- Insectclopedia has insect related lesson plans organized by grade-level.
- The Science Spot has index of websites with insect related activities.
Videos and Photos: National Geographic for Kids has some great insect related photography and articles.
Craft:
- Learn how to make pop-up cards. (spider, flower vases, frog, etc)
- Another pop-up card craft site.
- General bug related craft ideas from Family Fun site.
Why I Like This Book:
I recommend this book for getting kids excited about insects. The book has basic facts about the size, diet and life span of the bug. Boring you say, okay I agree. Each page spread also has a few interesting facts, that you probably won’t find right away on Google or Wikipedia. For instance, did you know grasshoppers ears are on their stomach. Not sold yet .. well I have saved the best for last. Imagine opening a page spread and having a large pop-out of an insect. I was floored when I saw the paper crafts. Check out the picture I took below. How cool is that!
This book is really a starter book to get kids interested in insects. I would like to add other insect related books as a resource.
Do you or your kids have any favorite insect books? I will update this post later with your recommendations.
This review is part of Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book series. Visit her site to see the other books recommended.
Flowering Minds 