Gr 3-5 – Most of the insects in this series are rarely covered in children’s books. Titles feature straightforward descriptions of characteristics and behaviors, accompanied by large photographs spanning a page and a half. Unique qualities, like the Matabele ant’s termite predation and the popularity of mopane worms as food for humans, are highlighted. Though there is plenty of intriguing information, the presentations are not always smooth and complete. Readers learn how Madagascar hissing cockroaches hiss, for example, but nothing about how that aids their survival. Some text boxes pack in too many facts. Photographs capture the unusual aspects of each insect fairly well, though not all directly support the textual content.
VERDICT: Worth considering for comprehensive insect species coverage.
