The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs

November 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-The life cycles of more than three dozen common insects and a smattering of spiders are examined in a smooth blend of text and photos. The book outlines a garden's seasonal cycles, explains the process of metamorphosis (complete and incomplete), and then profiles a variety of groups and individual species of arthropods. In each section-mostly spreads-short paragraphs of text and extended picture captions describe the featured "bugs'" distinctive physical and behavioral characteristics at each developmental stage; their diets; host plants; defense mechanisms, etc. A series of different-sized, sharp, color close-ups depicts their metamorphosis; about two thirds of the sections show the egg stage. Among the insects profiled are ladybugs, hoverflies, aphids, and butterflies. An abbreviated section on spiders describes general characteristics of orb-weavers, lie-in-waits, jumpers, and the Black Widow. The well-organized text is clearly written, peppered with engaging personal anecdotes and observations of the author/photographer team. While Melissa Stewart's Maggots, Grubs, and More (Millbrook, 2003) describes the characteristics of seven of the same insects in more detail, this title profiles a greater number of arthropods and offers more visual detail on their development. Young naturalists wanting to identify the backyard "bugs" they encounter will find this book easy to use.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.