100 Bugs!

May 28, 2018
In this cheerful outing, two sibling “explorers” wake up with the sun to count bugs over the course of a day on their busy farm. As the brother and sister traipse through a meadow and barnyard with a magnifying glass and a butterfly net, Narita introduces insect varieties in upbeat rhymes: “Walkingsticks, walkingsticks,/ hiding all about./ 1 by the old hose,/ 9 by the gold rose./ How many bugs hiding about?/ 10!” The formula is repetitive, but the buzzy commotion of Kaufman’s collage-art spreads will keep readers invested. The end of the book tots up the sets of bugs encountered—“10 from before, plus 10 more. 20 bugs hanging out”—opposite illustrations of all 100 of the bugs appearing in countable rows. A final section offers details about the insect and plant species featured throughout. Ages 5–7.

Starred review from May 15, 2018
Two children of color count local insects and flora in an explosion of colors and textures."It's time for some bug-counting fun!" A brother and sister are wakened by the warmth of the rising sun. Prepared with their net, magnifying glass, and notebook, they rush to explore the diverse microhabitats on their farm. "Leafhoppers, leafhoppers, hopping all about. / 3 by the farrow, 7 by the yarrow. / How many bugs hopping about? / 10!" Each page has its own version of this clever, internally rhyming verse, inviting a search for 10 scurrying bugs weaving in and out of highlighted blossoms or shrubs. Midway through the story is a challenging search-and-find illustration reviewing the count up to 50. Young readers will naturally be entranced, searching every pond, field, and barn for the crawling critters. Each page is literally teeming with life, thanks to Kaufman's multilayered textures, vivid hues, and bright lighting. At dusk the siblings snuggle up in bed to review their notebook, in which the total number of bugs and their accompanying illustrations are laid out to count to 100. Guides to both the insects and plants depicted follow, providing curious readers with further information.Packed with great extension possibilities, visually engaging illustrations, and quick rhymes, this read-aloud would be a great addition to any STEM shelf. (Picture book. 3-6)

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