Ladybugs

November 1, 2012

PreS-K-A dozen denizens of the garden are introduced in brief and bouncy rhyming text and varied color photos on day-glo, cartoonish illustrated backdrops. Though there are no glossaries, labels and arrows make terms clear, but given that most of the photos are close-ups, kids might be confused about each critter's (largely unmentioned) actual size. Playful rhymes may energize a read-aloud, but sometimes lead to a confusion of words ("Grasshoppers don't have ears like you, /so they won't hear you saying please./Some do have parts that work like ears, /a bit below their knees.") and forced writing (Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!/Ants like to march in line./They march through the grass/in almost no time!"). There is some anthropomorphizing and opining. For example, Bees are "trying to do their best," and "we should all/give spiders our thanks." A "Did You Know?" fact, helpful index, and counting exercise or activity round out each oversized title. Overall, this eye-catching and energetic series is a fine choice if your insect collection for this age group needs updating.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2012
Preschool-K Bugs! You never know what kids' reactions will be. Giggle and grab? Shriek and run? These titles in the Creepy Critters series choose to introduce various insects in a jolly, rhyming manner, though they are unafraid to insert a few cautionary notes when appropriate. The large horizontal trim will fit well on laps, while the combination of extreme close-up photos and cartoon backgrounds do a swell job of buffering potential creepiness. Ladybugs revels in shots of these colorful cuties of the bug world. Plus, there's a secret under their pop-open shells: wings! Fun fact: ladybug larva, on the other hand, is mega-icky. Each volume concludes with a two-page exercise involving finding the titular insects within a cartoon landscape, complicated (just a little) by the addition of a few other bugs. Bright, colorful, and acceptably educational.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)