Ladybugology (Backyard Buddies)

Ross, Michael Elsohn

ISBN 10: 157505051X ISBN 13: 9781575050515

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, 1997

Synopsis

Describes the physical characteristics, habits, and life of ladybugs and provides instructions for finding, collecting, and keeping these beetles as pets

About this title

Reviews

Grade 3-5?Two series entries that encourage kids to observe and inquire into the lives of some of our most commonly found creatures. Both books provide a great deal of scientific information, as do many other existing works. What makes these titles different is their aim to foster children's natural curiosity and get them to think about the world around them. Each book has a section in which elementary-school children pose questions such as "Do Caterpillars Get Dizzy?" and devise experiments to answer them. Some of the experiments prove to be inconclusive, but they still provide a solid grounding in the scientific method and encourage young readers to think for themselves. The books also provide suggestions of places, such as local nature groups, where children can obtain further information. Also included are instructions for capturing caterpillars and ladybugs for observation and a reminder to release them when the experiments are over. The books are visually appealing with clear texts and detailed drawings. Photos of kids with the insects add to the appeal. The information here is more than adequate for report needs but the books are also great for casual reading, and enterprising students might even find a few interesting science-project ideas. Good (and slightly different) additions to natural history sections.?Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ladybugs are the perfect bug for a pet. On the creepiness scale, they are fairly benign; they're easy to identify; they neither sting nor bite; nor do they infest people's domiciles. For this entry in the Backyard Buddies series, Ross (Bug Watching with Charles Henry Turner, 1997, etc.) includes some good facts about ladybugs and their care, defining their scientific names and covering some ladybug lore. Sadly, the information that will intrigue readers is lost in a muddle of mediocre experiments and what reads as filler, e.g., writing down all there is to observe about a ladybug (``it's red'') may encourage scientific observation, but it may also strike some as busy work. The full- color photographs are helpful; the illustrations are sometimes informative, and other times clumsily executed cartoons. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 157505051X
• ISBN 13: 9781575050515
• Binding: Library Binding
• Illustrator: Erickson Darren, Grogan Brian
• Number of pages: 48