
A parent might reach for this book when their child shows either a budding fear of or a deep fascination with insects. This delightful poetry collection, compiled by the acclaimed Lee Bennett Hopkins, offers sixteen short, playful poems about all sorts of 'nasty' bugs, from ticks and roaches to beloved ladybugs and fireflies. The book masterfully uses humor and wonder to reframe potentially scary creepy crawlies as fascinating parts of our world. Perfect for ages 4 to 8, it's an excellent tool for turning 'Ew!' into 'Ooh!', introducing the joy of poetry, and building nature-related vocabulary in a lighthearted, engaging way.
The primary theme is overcoming the mild fear or disgust associated with certain insects. The approach is direct but lighthearted, using poetry to foster curiosity and empathy for these small creatures. The book is entirely secular, and its resolution is one of hopeful curiosity, encouraging children to look closer rather than run away.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe ideal reader is a 4 to 7-year-old who is in one of two camps: either completely obsessed with bugs and wants to consume any content about them, or a child who is just beginning to develop a fear of insects and shrieks at the sight of a spider. This book serves both as a celebration for the enthusiast and a gentle intervention for the fearful child.
No preparation is needed; this book can be read cold. The poems are short and accessible. A parent might want to quickly scan the illustrations if their child is particularly sensitive, as they are stylized and quirky, but they are not frightening. The poems about cockroaches and ticks are handled with the same light touch as the rest of the collection. A parent has just seen their child react with disproportionate fear or disgust to a harmless bug in the house or yard. The child might have said, "Kill it!" or run away crying. The parent wants a gentle way to reframe insects as interesting rather than scary.
A younger child (4-5) will respond to the rhythm and rhyme of the poems and the vibrant, engaging illustrations. They will enjoy naming the bugs they recognize. An older child (6-8) will better appreciate the wordplay, humor, and varied perspectives in the different poems. They can begin to understand the concept of an anthology and discuss why the author might have chosen the title.
Unlike narrative bug stories or factual encyclopedias, this book's format as a poetry anthology is its key differentiator. It presents insects through an artistic and emotional lens, using the work of multiple poets to create a varied and rich experience. This approach celebrates language and observation, making it a perfect cross-curricular tool for both science and literacy.
This is an anthology of sixteen poems about insects, selected by children's poet laureate Lee Bennett Hopkins. The collection features works from various poets and covers a range of bugs, including spiders, crickets, ladybugs, fireflies, cockroaches, ticks, and ants. Each poem is accompanied by quirky, colorful illustrations by Victoria Chess that depict children observing the insects with curiosity. The book's title is playful, as the poems themselves treat the bugs with wonder and humor rather than disgust.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.