Insects Books

ILLUSTRATIONS ARE CUTE. MY NEICE WILL BE ENTERING PRESCHOOL SOON, SO BESIDES BEING A GOOD BEDTIME BOOK, IT WILL ALSO HELP WITH COUNTING, NUMBER RECOGNITION AND COLORS.

Elizabeth Provost's delightful bedtime story is filled with sweetness and fun. It is a lovely "read aloud" and a lively "read again" (and again). Donald Saaf's darling illustrations highlight Ms. Provost's lyrical story. This book will delight young and old.

This is surely one of the cutest picture books to come out this year. Ten one-of-a-kind bugs count down to bedtime. "Ten little sleepyheads talking to their toys. One falls asleep in the middle of the noise." As you might guess, another sleepy bug falls asleep on each page. What you might not guess is the sweetly gentle ending, "Is he asleep? No? Well, here we go again!" offering another read-through to the child who doesn't fall asleep the first time. The inside cover pictures the comic sleepyhead bugs and the actual insects the artist used for inspiration, like a sweet potato weevil, a bush katydid, and the Southern green stink bug, all certain to garner a sleepy smile or two.

Connie Goldsmith, Children's Book Reviewer for California Kids, Sacramento, CA

It's got rhythm!
It's got rhyme!
It's got pictures
A fun read EVERY TIME. :)

This book is luscious, scrumptious. . .everything you want in a picture book read for bedtime.

With rich and textury illustrations. . .and jazzy, snappy rhymne
that my little one begs for again and again. . .
. . . you can't go wrong.

It is a well-loved concept. . .twirled into a whole new story.

If you need a shower gift, a baby gift?.. .. .well, this is your top pick.

A great read and full of useful information on alternatives to pesticides and lethal traps for pests of all sizes. Very enjoyable reading and full of experiments to try with kids.

I have the old edition, too. Years ago, I checked that edition book out from the library so much that I decided I needed it. It was out of press, and I couldn't locate a copy. I wrote Adrian Wenner to explain my dilemma, and he mailed me his copy. Very cool.

Tiny game hunting was the only book that covered getting rid of gophers extensively. All other books had one sentence. I tried the tips they suggested and it worked. I felt better reading this book and knowing I am not alone.

I learned a lot about taking care of my front yard and when various pests come onto the scene. This book was suggested to me by the clerk at the library who also had good results in getting rid of a pest.

The book also has some cute drawings of the various pests. This is the book for anyone who wants to follow the healthy and environmentally safe way to keep unwanted pests from their lawns and gardens.

This could be the most useful book I own. It gets more use than my dictionary. Tiny Game Hunting offers practical and effective methods of capturing or killing common household and garden pests; everying from insects and spiders, to lizards and smakes, and mice and gophers. It focuses on environmentally safe extermination methods. Many of the traps, repellents, and pesticides can be made cheaply with common items found in the kitchen or garage. More than just pest control, the book offers some basic information on the habits and history of the critters. Have a problem with a pest? I bet it's in here. It's honestly one of the best books I'll ever own!

This book was just what I was looking for to keep my medium-sized yard and tiny garden in shape without adding to the chemical burden of my home town. I got accurate, easy advice that turned out in most cases to be more effective and less work than spraying with a chemical cocktail. Now I'm purchasing a copy for my neighbor, in the hopes that he'll see the light.

The local librarian recommended this one after my daughter (age 2.5) was stung by a wasp. It really helped her to learn that not all bugs were "bad". I plan to buy this for my younger child now.

As a child, I always thought that dragonflies (we called them darning needles) stung, given their fearsome appearance. Now we live on a pond and I have learned to love and value these gentle creatures (gentle to us but not to mosquitoes!). Mary Bono's book is a wonderful way to open the door to a greater appreciation of insects for young children. The clever text, the friendly but not preachy message, the stunning illustrations - with scientifically accurate clay sculptures amidst simple and friendly line drawings: It all adds up to a must read. Our two three-year-olds just love this book and pore over the pictures. I am grateful we have such a beautiful way to introduce them to this vital part of our natural world. Make this book a treasured part of your kids collection.

This is such a darling book. My three year old twin girls cannot get enough of it. I will read this story to them a good ten times a day, and never get tired of it. It's a great book to let kids know that bugs are not scary, they can be quite fun. My girls like to go outside and look for the bugs that are in this story. Fun rhyming!!! Great story!!!!

Terrific book to read aloud, with bright, pretty colors and pictures, and of course, lots of bugs! My girls (age 3 and 1) love it, and make me read this several times a day! I like the rhyming story, and the respectful tone it has. A great book, whether you're a fan of bugs or not!

This is a fun story, and I love that it has several layers. Although the story focuses largely on Velma, the author has thoughtfully weaved in other themes: the individuality and the supportive dynamic of the Gratch sisters; facts about butterflies; and a positive "model" about girls liking science (and "bugs"). The only piece that didn't set well was the visit to the principal's office. I understood the first one, as it helped set up the story. But going to the principal's office because of a butterfly on her finger is a little "out there."

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly We purchased this book for our 5 year old grand daughter based on the Amazon reviews. It exceeded our expectations. A sweet story of a younger sister just starting school and finding her niche is charmingly told and illustrated. It has been a popular choice for bed time reading, and I suspect it will continue to charm other little girls for many years to come.

For anyone with children (or, who has been a child), who felt their siblings had special gifts and that they may not: Read this book! It so solidly informs us that we all are unique and special, and is beautifully written and illustrated in tune with this message.

This is my kids all time favorite book. They ask me to read it to them over and over again. They just can't get enough of Velma Gratch. I think that we all have a little bit of Velma in us, and that is one of the things that is so applealling about it. I highly recommend it.

I began reading this wonderful book the day I brought it home and was so excited by it that I finished it the very next day. I love it, and in so many dimensions. I think it is wonderfully evocative of Darwin's close attention to the wide range of natural phenomenon which he encountered and his willingness to put it all together in such an innovative way - but only when nature thrust itself into his vision (thus, the ingenious use of clues from Rosie, Darwin's imaginary beetle friend). In my passion for all things Galapagos (I have been there more than once), I read the Voyage of the Beagle a couple of years ago, and this book reminded me vividly of some of the most fascinating and memorable parts of his voyage. I also love the book because I have an interest in writing for children, and appreciate how this rich and scientifically sound text makes the concepts of evolution so very approachable and inviting to this audience.

I think there is a paucity of books for children related to the Galapagos and Darwin and, given the increasing number of tourists with children going to the islands, I think this book should be recommended reading for families headed for Ecuador.

We received this book around Thanksgiving and cannot stop reading it! My son's interest in science has only increased since reading this book and we both adore the illustrations. I hope for more young adult literature from this author!

Traveling the globe with Charles Darwin and his beetle companion Rosie, the reader joins them in an adventure that evokes wonder and curiosity. The friendly narrative and vibrant illustrations guide us along a rich educational experience. As we become detectives and join Darwin in his search for clues we also learn about geography, the animal world, history, and finally the theory of natural selection. This refreshing book is a must for all young people and adults curious about the mysteries of life!

This is an engaging story of the incredible voyage of Charles Darwin that is both adventure story and a fresh look at the world around us. At first blush it is a humorous account of a wise beetle leading the enthusiastic Darwin from discovery to discovery, describing key encounters in his 5-year voyage. But it also leads the reader to consider one of the great scientific theories of our time - how things come to be through natural selection. The clever use of Rosie keeps the pace light and accessible to many age levels without sacrificing intellectual integrity. Lawrence's lush illustrations are beautiful and Weaver's affectionate presentation of Darwin reveal the human side of Charles with a rich factual background. A very engaging read!

Wasp Farm, by Howard Ensign Evans, published in 1963, aims to increase public knowledge and interest in sciences in general and entomology specifically. This natural history book is organized into 15 chapters, 12 of which deal primarily with specific types of wasps. The first chapter talks about the writers attempt to create a "wasp farm" for which the book is named. The last two chapters deal with the evolution of wasps, recap the various groups of wasp, and give some mention to the existence of more obscure wasps with somewhat different behaviors. The Evans is a PhD in insect taxonomy and spends a great deal of time focusing on the distinctions between various types of wasps and highlighting the variety of behaviors even among species native to the same area.

Wasp Farm is a well written book on the classification and behavior of various wasps. It reads at about a high school level and requires little prior knowledge of the subject. Basic concepts are addressed as they are needed without being overstressed to the point that the book would become tedious to those with more background. The writer comes across as knowledgeable without the ivory tower feel some writers fall into. Specifically, ideas a communicated without the use of overly specialized words or overly complex sentence structure. Overall, the book is both accessible and enjoyable for a wide variety of people. Both laymen and seasoned scientists are likely to feel satisfied by the scope of information covered.

While no errors or out of date material was apparent in the book, one should keep in mind that it is over 40 years old. The observations and facts in the book are unlikely to change but may no longer be as complete as possible. No bias was evident in the book aside from the author's greater fondness for solitary wasps over social wasps. Even this didn't manifest outside of a few anecdotes about meeting people introduced as wasp experts who focused almost entirely on paper wasps and the somewhat uninspired section on paper wasps in the book.

This book is not so much a dry collection of facts, but a documentation of the writer's discovery of those facts. This method of writing creates a very interesting and easy to read narrative. This is not to say that the book is devoid of factual content. The book focuses heavily on the behavior of various wasps such as nest structure and offspring care. The writer, by his own admission, has a particular love of solitary wasps and is somewhat less than enthusiastic about social species such as paper wasps. Perhaps this is why his section on paper wasps seemed forced, born of duty rather than passion.

Perhaps as interesting as the description of wasps is the subtext of the scientific method. The author stresses the importance of careful and detailed observation along with intelligent experiment design. On occasion Evans addresses theories or observations he considers to be jumping to conclusions. The less glorious aspects of research such as digging out a nest or waiting in the hot sun for a wasp to return from hunting are honestly portrayed. I would highly recommend the book to anyone interested in zoology and would consider the book a must read for those going into entomology.

Wasps are all around during the summer months here in Virginia and I was curious about them so I went in search of a book to learn more and found this one - glad I did. It hasore information that I could have guessed on wasps - It talks to what they eat, how different wasps form "nests/burrows", howthey carry food, why they're a beneficial insect, and even some wasp lore. Latin names are used when discussing different wasps. The text is easy to read, conversational most. I enjoyed it and gota lot out of the many details. It has photos and drawings too.

This book provides an informal introduction to some aspects of wasp observation. The author, Howard Evans, was an entomology professor at Cornell University. While working at Cornell, he lived on a small farm outside of the town of Ithaca and spent much of his spare time in the summers observing wasp behavior at his farm. In this book, Evans describes some of his findings during his observations. The book is presented in the form of short essays around various topics of wasp life. The essays cover such information as the wasp family, wasps and evolution, egg-laying, wasp nests, wasp prey and methods of transporting prey, attracting wasps, spider wasps, great wasps, sand wasps, bee wolfs, and social wasps. The book is illustrated with plates of black-and-white photographs. Suggested readings for further information appear at the end of each chapter, and there is an index.

When I first picked up this book, I expected to learn all about the pesky wasps that construct paper nests in our woodshed. Evans explains that these are social wasps, and while he does provide a chapter about social wasps, his main interest is in the different types of solitary digger wasps, which the majority of the book is about. Evans seems to see them everywhere, not only on his farm in Ithaca, but also when he was growing up in the Midwest, and in the desert as well. Although they are quite common, I had never noticed them before reading this book, and I certainly knew nothing of their particular feeding and egg-laying behavior. Evans book is quite informative, although I wish in places it had gone into greater detail and been a little less informal.

Many of us associate wasps with the uninvited guests at the family outing. Politely requesting the common yellow jacket to disarm and retreat never seemed to produce the desired result. In a flash, you are the recipient of a wound inflicted by an elite stinger. This imagery may conjure feelings of pain for us commoners; however, longtime entomologist Howard Ensign Evans delivers the elixir by educating his readers on the intricacies of wasp life.

In his book, Wasp Farm, Evans takes us to a place where wasps, not humans, are the ultimate landscape engineers. By sharing his own personal experiences, the author brings us into their world, an 8-acre parcel of meadows, sandpits and forest in upstate New York. He explores the life of these conundrums through his own observations of the habitats in which they live, their physical features, behaviors, and lives as predator and prey. A variety of topics are covered, but wasp evolution is the major theme. Through logical analysis and contemplation, not necessarily scientific means, the author makes inferences and generalizations about wasp evolution and provides numerous examples of radiation and convergence.

The chapters in Wasp Farm are organized into a logical format and each serves as a prelude to the next. Evans begins with a preliminary discussion of Wasp Farm and how it came to be. He effectively describes primitive wasps in the early chapters. For example, Priocnemis minorata (hunter of spiders) is common in the Northeastern states and emerges from its winter slumber in early April. It begins the new season by burrowing deep into the forest floor and spends much of its life hunting for spiders. Its stinger is not used primarily for defense, but instead acts as an apparatus for administering tranquilizers during the final phase of the hunt. The venom temporarily paralyzes a spider just long enough for her brood to feed on a living organism. Some spiders have been kept alive for 33 days by a single sting! Conversely, Cipogon sayi nests in pre-existing burrows of wood where it constructs a series of cells for its progeny. As the chapters progress, more advanced species of wasp are introduced and compared to the relatively primitive species in terms of similarity and improvement. Cleptoparasitic wasps, such as Evagetes parvus, need not hunt for spiders, but instead another species of wasp. By inconspicuously infiltrating the nest of Anoplius marginatus, E. parvus replaces the egg of A. marginatus with its own. Once the larva emerges, it will feast on the incapacitated spider. The final chapters conclude with the most advanced of the wasp species, the socialites: paper wasps and yellow jackets.

Prior to reading Wasp Farm, I assumed that all wasps behaved in an identical manner and had the propensity to sting at first sight. Fortunately, Evans enlightens and provides us with a deeper understanding of wasps. Most species of wasp are in fact solitary and go about their business without a care for humans. Once their emergence in either early Spring or Summer, the sexes mate and the male is virtually useless thereafter. Sounding familiar? Females rule this world and bare the responsibility of providing for the persistence of the species by digging burrows, hunting, laying eggs and much more. If it were up to the males, most wasp species would surely perish. Interestingly, the stinger that humans associate with pain is actually a modified egg-laying apparatus. Presumably, it evolved over millions of years through natural selection and evolution. If you are allergic to the wasp venom, it is certainly the female that you are leery of. Only certain male wasps have evolved a pseudo stinger, but fear not. Unlike their female counterparts, their stinger did not evolve from an egg laying apparatus and therefore lacks venom glands. Some wasps even utilize tools and all species have an interesting mechanism for sex determination. Read this book and you too can impress others with your newfound knowledge.

Howard Ensign Evans received a master's degree in entomology and a Ph.D. in insect taxonomy. He has written a number of articles for scientific journals and was also curator at the Harvard Museum of Zoology. He has successfully written a number other books pertaining to wasps. Another recommended title is Studies on the larvae of digger wasps (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae).

Anyone who is turned off by insects, particularly wasps, should read this book. It will certainly provide a refreshing point of view and newfound appreciation for these creatures and the ecological niches they fulfill. Wasp Farm is a clearly written masterpiece that will appeal to all ages, both male and female. Compared to other books in Biology that are highly structured and esoteric in speech, Wasp Farm grasps the reader's attention through the use of clear, concise language in addition to the effective use of illustrations and photographs. You will surely expand your insect knowledge and vocabulary for the author frequently uses Latin terminology. Do not fret if you are unfamiliar with the language, for the end of each chapter provides adequate definitions for each genus and species.

This book succeeds in convincing one that they need not spend any money to see unique life forms on this Earth. By venturing into one's own surroundings, you can explore the fascinating lives of these creatures and revel in their complexity.

We also have the paperback version. My two girls (2 and 4) listened to the tape so many times it just wore out. I am excited about the CD. My kids sing this song constantly and are very into bugs.

This book has been an awesome sing a long for my twin boys. They love the bright pictures and the fun songs.

I borrowed this book from my local library after having the ABC version given to us. This book is great for little ones as it is colorful, easy to follow, and delightfully easy to listen to. I like that is asks a question after every little song about the bug itself. It combines reading, music and additional activities. My three year old boy loves it. I would reccomend it to any parent of a 2+ year old!

I (the Easter Bunny) bought this book for my 5 year old son and 2 1/2 year old daughter. What a huge hit!!! They love it and listen to it together. My little girl goes around the house singing the songs all the time and she loves that she gets to turn the pages (a little chime sounds when it's time to turn to the next page.
Bugs are a popular subject around our house since my kids are always searching for them in our garden.
If your kids are bug-lovers, this books for you!!

This charmingly illustrated book was mine as a child of the 1960s and always stayed with me throughout my life. Happily, my mother held on to it and I still have it in my library. It's a magical and memorable book for all ages.

read this to my kids 30 years ago... the original blue & white one... and it is one story they still recall and can recite. Will purchase the new version for them at Christmas for their kids. Wonderful!

My mother read this book to me over 35 years ago and it was always my favorite. I still have the original book with pictures by Leonard Weisgard, Young Scott Books, New York MCMLXI copyright. The book has beautiful shades of blue on every page. I plan to purchase the new version for my preschool, however I'll always treasure my original!

The original book if I am correct has blue and white illustrations. I owned this book until my mother either lost it or sold it for 25 cents at a garage sale. She felt so bad that she bought me the new edition which is beautiful. I am still looking for the original copy of of this book for it is fabulous!

My son loves this book. He was 8 months old and loved to turn the pages. He is 14 months now, it is an easy book (not too many pages) and he has a short attention span. He loves to turn the pages and point at the sparkles on each page.

My two year old son has always loved this book, the colors are bright and interesting, the characters are adorable and he loves the "whoops", "wizz", etc noises! We bought the second book also and he loves that one too.

The illustrations are so cute and the words easy to read. (Over and over again!) My 9 month old loves turning the pages and touching the sparkles on each page. The story is simple and sweet. There are action words that you can say with sound effects that also increases enjoyment. Our son is 1 yr. old and still reads this book almost daily.

My 8 month old daughter has always been a busy child, never wanting to sit still for anything, but when her dad reads the Whoops! book to her, she squeals with delight and pats the pages, especially the sparkly inserts. If she is ever grumpy or grizzly all we have to do is start telling the story and she stops grizzling and wants to read her book!

Very impressive coverage on the Wilk Silk Moths of Noth America. Most known species are shown in exellent photographs,some in the larval stages also. Good range maps and detailed text make this the laymans best friend when exploring and learning about the habitats and life histories of some of our most magnificent moth species. The best book I've seen on the subject period!

At last a book I can put on my bookshelf next to Holland's Moth Book.

Excellent book that not only deals in the taxonomy of Saturniidae moths but of collecting and rearing as well. Great illustrations and maps.

Previously much of this information was only available in bits and pieces on the Internet and in obscure publications and has never been previously compiled in one volume.

For those of you not familiar with Saturniidae they are the family of giant silk moths. Some species are the size of a small bird. Just about every location in America is home to at least one species of giant silk moth and they even live in our big cities.Why do most people not see them? Well one reason is they are nocturnal and high flying. If you look in wooded areas however you will often see their cocoons. One can purchase live silk moth cocoons and the females readily attract males by a phermone that can be detected by the male of the species for miles.



As a moth breeder I welcome this book.

For each moth there is a color picture of last instar caterpillar and one or more pictures of the moth. There is also a range map and detailed descriptions of each stage of the life cycle with notes on rearing.
This is a well-written, well-researched, easy to read book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in these largest and showiest of the U.S. moths.

I have been looking for a guide like this for years. This book shows great pictures of all the bigger moths of North America including their caterpillars. Loaded with maps and drawings of the cocoons this book is a must have. Don't let the price scare you away.