Synopsis
Most experts believe there are over 10 quintillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) individual insects digging, boring, flying, crawling, and excreting their way in and around the Earth. That’s about a billion billion bugs for every single person. And that’s not even counting their close relatives, the arachnids, which include spiders, lice, ticks, scorpions, and mites. So, if we humans really are that outnumbered, wouldn’t it be a good idea to learn a little more about our insect overlords? Helaine Becker’s latest activities guide does just that. Following the same format as her critically acclaimed Science on the Loose, which demystified science through fun and silly experiments, The Insecto-Files investigates the hidden lives of insects. It blends little-known facts about bugs with a wealth of easy-to-do activities that are as entertaining as they are educational. Packed with Becker’s trademark blend of energy, irreverence, and information, The Insecto-Files offers budding entomologists a gleeful guerilla approach to learning about the wonderful world of bugs.
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About the Authors
HELAINE BECKER has published in many children's genres, from humorous verse to educational textbooks. Her knack for blending humor and education into a satisfying package that both delights and informs is recognized by critics and booksellers across North America. Her award-winning books include Boredom Blasters, Secret Agent Y.O.U., and Science on the Loose. Originally from New York, she lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.
Claudia Dávila was born in Chile and raised in Toronto, where she studied Fine Arts at York University. She is now a freelance designer, illustrator, and graphic artist and used to be the art director of chickaDEE and Chirp magazines. She lives in Toronto with her daughter and husband, fellow illustrator Michael Cho.
Reviews
Grade 3-6–In a series of spreads, a lively text briefly describes basic anatomy, methods of locomotion, communication, distinctive characteristics, and more about two dozen insects. Directions for close to three dozen simple experiments or activities are included, followed by an explanation of results; most employ inexpensive materials. While there are a couple of weak entries, most are well designed. An example of the latter: a section on termites gives directions for rigging a model termite mound (using a large garbage bag and a toilet paper roll) to show how the nest's internal temperature is controlled. Miscellaneous facts are offered in three separate sections, plus sidebars scattered throughout. A mix of cartoons and realistic drawings of insects, body parts, and steps in experiments accompanies the text on every page. The clearly written text is marred, to a degree, by anthropomorphism (for example, Male crickets sing love songs to their would-be honeys) and a few minor errors (lice are included in a list of arachnids, and the Megaloprepus coerulatus is a damselfly, not the dragonfly with the largest wingspan, as stated). Most of the scientific terms are defined as they appear. Caroline Bingham's Buzz (DK, 2007) covers most of the topics in greater detail and has superior graphics. Still, considering the large number of pertinent activities Insecto-Files offers, it will be a useful additional title despite its flaws.–Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library
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Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Davila, Claudia (illustrator). Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G1897349467I5N00