Snug as a Bug: Where Bugs Live

It's time for picture book non-fiction Wednesday. 

I'm always on the lookout for superb information books. I buy them and ship them off to our board for cataloguing. Eventually, long after I have forgotten I purchased them, they return. Yesterday became celebration day as I opened up the box containing this series - just in time for spring and summer explorations in the garden. 

I concede that the ants I discovered in my kitchen this morning is what made me grab and read Inside the Ants' Nest by Karen Ang. I also admit that I wasn't thinking kind thoughts about ants as I perused the pages. In spite of this, I fell head over heals in love with the book and consequently, the entire series. 


These are fabulous information books for younger and or struggling readers. 



Of course these books have what I consider the bare necessities - table of contents, glossary, and index, but there is so much more to these. Each pair of pages has a clear title. The text is simple and straight forward. The books are loaded with brilliant photographs and illustrations. The close ups are spectacular, albeit slightly creepy, especially the one of the queen ant being fed by the worker. Each book includes an inset map showing where these animals live. There are labeled diagrams and fact boxes. The occasional question box leaves the reader wondering and wanting to read more. Each book contains a section near the end titled Science Lab, that provides guidelines and questions for readers interested in thinking like a scientist and creating a report. I like that there is also a section at the end that directs the reader to other books on the topic. There are also online links. The biokids link did have considerable more detail about ants. I especially appreciated the section "What roles do they have in the ecosystem?"
Unfortunately neither the book nor the links helped me come up with a plan for how to get rid of the ants that have decided to move in with me. I'll have to hope the borax and sugar I left out does the trick. 

We have four in this series: I'll try to track down the rest of them. 



 Inside the Bees' Hive also by Karen Ang, 



Inside the Cricket's Burrow by Dawn Bluemel Oldfield 


  and Inside the Spider's Web by Natalie Lunis. 


10 comments:

  1. The books look really good, perfect for young students' research and interest. Good luck with the ants. I kind of remember being told to make a sugar trail, & maybe that's what you're doing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are indeed perfect for young researchers Linda. You can get a peak of how they are organized on Amazon. Those ants appear to have eased off. Hopefully the borax sugar mix is doing the trick.

      Delete
  2. This series is new to me, I'll have to check it out. Good for young readers? How's the text?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The text is wonderful for younger readers. I think my grade 2 research group would easily grab facts from it. You can take a peak inside on Amazon.

      Delete
  3. This series looks great. Would love to get a sneak peek if I am in soon. My students are all about insects so I would like to get these for our classroom library. Yikes to the ants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Encourage Diane to get a set or two for the library and do come visit. I love to talk books with you. I think they are only available in hard cover but when/if they come out in paperback I will purchase another set.

      Delete
  4. Hi there Cheriee, this series looks really interesting. I confess to not picking titles such as these from the library, but it does seem like I am missing out on a lot. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure Myra. I'm always searching for good information books. There are some readers who read nothing else but them. I can't wait to see what happens when I put them on display net week.

      Delete
  5. I would have loved these books as a kid, and I know there are going to be a ton of readers now who love them as well. Fascinating and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are most welcome Kelle - I wish they had been around when my two guys were young!

    ReplyDelete