Ants

November 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-Common and lesser-known insects are described in these straightforward, easy-to-follow introductions. Each spread features a text box alongside a photograph that spans a page and a half. A couple of sentences present basic facts: "Wasps are great hunters. Many of these insects have sharp stingers." The simple sentences and double-spaced lines make the text inviting to younger readers. Physical features, habitats, and life cycles are introduced effectively through the words and pictures. The photos match the text quite effectively. When readers learn that cicadas "have four clear wings" or that "dragonflies have huge eyes," a vivid image depicts those features clearly. Insets highlight "favorite food," life span, and an actual-size diagram. VERDICT Fine insect profiles for beginners, featuring some types not often covered in children's books, such as aphids, earwigs, and damselflies.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2017
Grades K-3 Budding entomologists eager for books about bugs will find eye-catching introductions to a few garden-variety insects in these installments of the Insects Up Close series. True to the series title, each volume includes plenty of full-color, close-up photos of insects, while short, direct sentences address everything from body parts, habitat, diet, and life cycle. In Ants, the large-jawed insects are shown carrying unwieldy objects, caring for their young, and working together. While the information remains at an introductory level across the board, each page of text directly describes the adjacent photo, which will help both bolster reading comprehension and reinforce the concepts. A picture glossary in the back matter will be especially helpful for more visually inclined learners. Though some kids might be hungry for more information than this series offers, early readers itching to start reading independently will appreciate its accessible format.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)