The Wasp That Brainwashed the Caterpillar

September 12, 2016
Simon, a science writer at Wired magazine, lays out an entertaining look at evolution’s frightening billion-year arms race. All species must adapt to changing environments to survive; many do it in strange ways, and Simon delivers a well-written, if light, recitation of some of the weirdest. There are camouflage creatures: the spider-tailed horned viper, whose accurately named tail lures prey; the orb weaver spider, which spins a web to mimic “bird turds”; a “satanic” gecko that’s shaped like a leaf; and the cuttlefish, which is capable of imitating any background. Simon also profiles some mind controllers, including Glyptapanteles wasps, which inject their eggs into caterpillars so that the resulting larvae can puppet them into being their bodyguards, and the Ophiocordyceps fungus that “invades ants’ brains and mind-controls them up into trees.” Many animals live in odd places—such as the gonads of sea cucumbers or the tongues of fish—and others wield bizarre weapons (heated hammer hands, intoxicants, glue). This is not an in-depth look at evolutionary processes; each entry in the parade of creatures is brief. Simon’s wit, combined with the genuine eccentricity of his subjects, make this a fun and accessible book. Agent: David Fugate, LaunchBooks.

October 1, 2016
In this irreverent and entertaining collection of essays, readers are introduced to more than 30 of the world's strangest, slimiest, and ultimately fascinating creatures. Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection figure predominantly throughout the book, as entries marvel at the constant push-pull of nature, the balanced system that allows species to coexist. Each brief entry (four or five pages, set off by illustrations and boxed inserts) considers a specific specimen, and concentrates on the basics: procreation, shelter, and foodoften each other. Simon's unsentimental, straightforward, and often raunchy tone effectively debunks myths, provides reasonable explanations, and creates interest for some of the world's oddest critters (satanic leaf-tailed geckos? Pink fairy armadillos?). Simon's engaging banter is backed up by an extensive bibliography, occasionally including ground-breaking, theory-changing research. Readers familiar with Simon's Absurd Creature of the Week columns in Wired magazine already know that the author leaves no rock columns, pebble, leaf, or ball of dung unturned while sharing his witty and enthusiastic observations. This compilation should bring him a much larger (and well-deserved ) audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)