The Alphabet of Bugs

June 8, 2015
The team behind 2013’s The Other Colors returns with a second alliterative alphabet book, setting 26 insects against unusual background colors, many of which will be new to readers young and old. The generously sized photos offer detailed, up-close looks at the insects’ translucent wings, gleaming carapaces, and knobby proboscises; equally large capital letters appear on the left-hand pages, echoing the appearance of wooden alphabet blocks. While most of Gates’s insect-plus-color phrases read smoothly enough (“Sphinx Moth savors Salmon surroundings”), as with the previous book, others (“Question Mark Butterfly quells Quinacridone Magenta”; “Velvet ant vitalizes vague Vanilla vector”) can be a muddle. Ages 3–5.

August 1, 2015

Gr 2-5-An alphabet book in format only, this collection of unusual insects and even more unusual colors pairs gorgeous color photographs of the bugs on brightly hued backgrounds with alliterative tongue twisters. The difficult vocabulary words and unique colors ("Hawk Moth harmonizes hip Honeydew hue" and "Katydid keenly kicks Keppel") would perhaps make for some fun dictionary practice for older elementary students. Some kids will enjoy browsing the various insects, admiring the photographs up close, and checking out the additional yet brief information about each of the insects at the back of the book. VERDICT A quirky, beautifully designed book for larger libraries, but a pass for those looking to expand their ABC books.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

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