Do you love bugs? by Matt Robertson
Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526609519.
(Age: 6+) I will say at the outset that this book will break some
poor entomologist's heart. The ease with which Robertson mixes bugs
(sucking insect) with beetles (insect), spiders (arachnid), snails
(gastropod) and worms (animal) is surprising, and an astute teacher
will use the opportunity to differentiate between these species as
the book is read.
That said, I enjoyed the humour in this offering, each double page
showing readers creatures with which many people have a 'don't touch'
relationship. So we are presented with ants, butterflies, moths,
spiders, stick insects, bees, worms, grasshoppers, snails and
dragonflies, all surrounded by a splatter of facts which will
intrigue younger readers.
The funny anthropomorphic illustrations will cause readers to laugh
out loud as they dip into the pages full of facts and hints about
the animal being observed.
The opening pages of this fun paperback gives a plea for children
not to be taken aback by these creatures, but to love them as they
have been around since the dinosaurs. Robertson also gives some
rules on engagement: do not bother bees, be respectful of the stick
insect, step over the snail, and so on, impelling children to look
more closely at the creatures in their gardens.
Two pages tell of moths and butterflies, telling the reader why the
butterfly is so colourful and how delicate its wings are. The next
page is about the moth and we are told why they come out at night
and how they get their moisture. All very interesting to the curious
minds of younger readers.
The information is interesting, but as the book is part way between
an information and a fun read, it will not be easy to use without a
contents page and index. Themes: Insects, Beetles, Arachnids, Garden
creatures.
Fran Knight