Bugwise: Thirty Incredible Insect Investigations and Arachnid Activities. This item is unavailable.Bugwise: Thirty Incredible Insect Investigations and Arachnid Activities

Text, illustrations, questions and answers, and suggested activities introduce the world of bugs

Grade 4-6-- Weak organization and hackneyed writing mar this introduction. The approximately 30 simple activities scattered throughout are its best feature. Most of them involve collecting and observing common insects before returning them to the wild. The directions are clear and easy to follow; the cost of materials is small. The projects, depicted in black-and-white drawings, include a glass jar terrarium, a waterscope (made from a baby food jar and drinking straws), and "a sweep net," which is one of the few activities that requires adult assistance. Unfortunately, most of the book consists of short, unconnected paragraphs describing characteristics of about three dozen insects as well as some spiders, mites, and millipedes. While the text does present a few informative tidbits, it is poorly ordered and omits important data. "Insect" and "bug" are not defined until nearly the end of the book; "larva" and "nymph" are not defined when they first appear; the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis is not explained. When true bugs are discussed, the text fails to include their distinguishing characteristics. Cliches and anthropomorphisms abound, and the whole concept of the last section, "Insect Impostors," is questionable--it implies that spiders, etc., are trying to trick people into believing that they are insects. --Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.