Megabugs

September 23, 2019
“Imagine, deep in the jungle... a swift-moving millipede almost twice your size slithers toward you, snapping its slavering jaws.” B-movie superlatives and natural history museum–diorama aesthetics set the tone for this information-rich exploration of seven Paleozoic arthropods. Bindon’s colorful, detailed illustrations based on “research and fossil evidence” anchor data-laden spreads that show pronunciation and name meaning, habitat, “fave snack,” fossil locations, and the relative size of each creature vis-à-vis a child, among other data points, while Becker’s slangy prose explains what makes each “megabug” special. Inset text boxes identify and concisely explore relevant themes such as oxygen levels and mutation. It’s an appealing way to engage kids fascinated by creepy crawlers. Concisely explains arthropods and eras, and includes a glossary, index, and list of further reading. Ages 8–12.

July 15, 2019
Up-close introductions to seven Paleozoic monsters, with some outsized modern survivors added for good measure. Writing with crowd-pleasing vivacity--Arthropleura "was bigger than a basketball player. And with up to 80 quick-moving, grasping legs, it could have easily gripped and smothered one too!"--Becker profiles a set of humongous arthropods that, in Bindon's exactly detailed scenes, crawl, slither, glide, swim, or fly past with all-too-convincing realism. All come with (fossil) range maps and human silhouettes for size comparisons, and most are placed in natural settings, with other fauna of the period visible in the backgrounds. In her descriptive notes, the author maintains a proper caution, following current thinking in suggesting that heightened levels of atmospheric oxygen made such uncommon mass possible but noting that "fave snacks," life cycles, and causes of extinction are speculations. Following the prehistoric parade, a select set of today's biggest creepy-crawlies bring up the rear, capped by a menacing science-fictional megabug that looks like an ant-scorpion hybrid. Though no replacement for Timothy Bradley's (sadly out of print) Paleo Bugs (2008) for those lucky enough still to have it, the art here has more of a dramatic flair, and the resource lists at the end are fresher. Enticing fare for fans of all things Paleo. (glossary, timeline, index) (Informational picture book. 7-10)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2019

Gr 3-7-All of the seven megabugs explored here are arthropods. The author defines arthropod, then places these prehistoric creatures in Earth's time line, providing important information such as the age of the Earth, the names of the geological eras, and the many periods that comprise an era. Information about how fossils are formed and how rocks can be dated is included. Each megabug has a two-page spread and features a colorful, detailed illustration of the creature and its environs (illustrations were reviewed for accuracy by a trio of paleontologists). Facts such as physical characteristics, when it existed, along with its habitat, diet, how it protected itself, and what potentially caused it to go extinct are mentioned. VERDICT Information is presented clearly and simply in this fascinating (and slightly creepy) exploration of mind-boggling prehistoric megabugs. Recommended for science lovers and casual browsers.-Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.