The Best Bug Books For Kids
If your children have an affinity for bugs, there are numerous books to help them learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Some of these bug books even come with activities to accompany them! No matter if your kids are into butterflies, moths, spiders or dragonflies – these books will surely capture their attention!
1. The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs: Discover Amazing Butterflies, Moths, Spiders, Dragonflies and Other Insects
Bugs are one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. Not only do they play an essential role in our ecosystem, but they provide food to countless other creatures such as fish, amphibians, reptiles and even humans! Bugs also have parasitic tendencies on other organisms like fish, amphibians, reptiles and even humans!
Insects are small, wingless creatures with six legs. They can be found worldwide and classified into various orders. Common species include ants, bees, wasps, flies and butterflies.
Although some bugs get a bad rap, it’s essential to remember that not all insects are evil or out to hurt us. Talk with your child about the beneficial roles insects play in our lives: providing natural pest control, making honey, eating aphids or pollinating plants.
It can be quite easy to get kids interested in bugs, especially if they know they won’t get hurt by them! Start by showing them some common outdoor insects (caterpillars, daddy long legs and ladybugs) and having a conversation about what each one is.
Begin by informing them about the benefits of these insects and how they can benefit the environment. For instance, bees and flies are natural pest control that also pollinate flowers and vegetables for beneficial pollination.
Children can overcome their fears of bugs by becoming more informed and empathic towards them. If a particular bug causes fear, explain why it might sting or bite and teach them ways to stay calm around the animal so it doesn’t terrify them.
If your child is still fearful of bugs, use humor to help them overcome their anxieties and develop a more positive outlook. Teach your child that they can be the hero of the story by remaining calm when an insect gets near them or explaining that the bug is simply trying to do its job.
2. The Little Spider
The Little Spider has been a beloved children’s song for generations, but now she embarks on an exciting adventure in this brand-new picture book. Filled with vibrant watercolor illustrations and an upbeat rhythm, Iza Trapani’s delightful rendition of the nursery song will capture readers’ hearts time after time.
This board book with sliding panels invites young readers to join in the adventure as they help the spider climb up the water spout. With its straightforward text and vibrant block illustrations that fit right into small hands, this makes an ideal read-aloud or great addition to any child’s library.
A beautiful tale about love and friendship, The Little Spider is an engaging bedtime read sure to please any child. Kirk’s almost 3-D oil paintings create a surreal world where kids will be transported to Miss Spider’s wedding in her spider web veil.
In a whimsical, offbeat meditation from Swiss twin brothers Ramon and Silvan Zurcher, two roommates torn apart in middle-class Berlin apartments share an intense longing that only their building can bring. As the camera moves around their spaces – inside and outside rooms – it appears that shifting furniture and unpacking belongings has awakened something deep within them that they had not noticed before.
Though its chaotic pace may drive some viewers crazy, others will find much to admire and appreciate in this chamber piece. Director Alexander Hasskerl knows precisely when to close in on his cast and audience while pulling backward – a tactility which adds an intense sexual charge to its strange rhythms.
This modern take on the beloved Christmas legend about a little spider’s gift to Jesus will motivate kids to celebrate this memorable day with friends and family. A bonus CD featuring an original song by Cindy Morgan as well as full dramatization of the story ensure it becomes a classic family favorite for years to come.
3. The Big Book of Bugs
From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is alive with fascinating bugs. Now kids can discover these creepy-crawlies through The Big Book of Bugs, the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of bug species that share our Earth.
Yuval Zommer’s stunning photos accompany kid-friendly informational writing that is sure to captivate young readers. From a firefly’s journey towards adulthood to mantis-flies’ secret life in the rain forest, readers will learn about these fascinating insects as they flip through beautiful photographs labeled with details and facts about each bug.
This conversational tone of writing is sure to capture and sustain children’s interest, with each bug getting its own double spread for plenty of information without overwhelming readers or distracting them. Additionally, the book includes a contents page, index, and glossary for added reference.
This book is the ideal choice for families who want to introduce their child to the world of bugs in a fun, educational manner. Each bug is illustrated uniquely on its own page with important information about it such as where it lives, what it eats, its size, and other noteworthy characteristics.
The opening pages explain that bugs exist nearly everywhere on Earth and provide tips for becoming a young bug spotter. Key groups such as beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, snails, crickets, grasshoppers and worms are illustrated with beautiful compositions on each page. Some spreads focus on specific themes like bugs that come out at night or baby creepy-crawlies and life cycles; how some hide and show off; or even which types love to live inside your home! The text is chatty and full of amazing facts sure to amaze both kids and adults alike!
4. The Big Book of Beetles
If your child loves bugs, they will love this entomologist-inspired guide to all the creepy crawlies around the world. It’s the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.
Kids will gain insight into the variety of insects, such as ants, beetles, wasps, flies, spiders and mosquitos. Additionally, they’ll study their life cycle and habitats.
In addition to stunning photographs, The Big Book of Beetles also provides scientific facts about these fascinating creatures. This makes a great starting point for kids as they explore insects and prepare themselves for more in-depth books on these topics.
MG Leonard, author of Beetle Boy and Rex the Rhinoceros Beetle, knows a thing or two about beetles. Now she shares her enthusiasm with younger audiences through this charming picture book that’s ideal for bedtime reading or read-alouds.
This vibrant lift-the-flap pop-up book showcases beetles and other insects, as well as the story of a web-spinning spider. With its vibrant illustrations, young readers are sure to love this interactive title.
This bug book offers simple text from A to Z, introducing young readers to the names of various insects and body parts. With larger-than-life color photographs of worms, locusts, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, ants, and praying mantis that will surely capture their attention, this bug book is sure to become their go-to reference.
If your kid loves bugs, they will love this book about a click beetle that gets caught on the back of a car. It’s an entertaining lift-the-flap book that is sure to be popular with any child!
5. The Big Book of Butterflies
Butterflies are one of the world’s most beautiful creatures, but they also provide children with an invaluable educational opportunity. Watching their transformation from caterpillars to chrysalises to winged insects is truly magical – your children will be sure to be mesmerized by it!
This book will educate children on the butterfly life cycle and why it is so important to protect them. They’ll discover how butterflies are able to see thousands of images at once, how they drink nectar from flowers, and much more!
This nonfiction emergent reader offers three levels, so kids can start at the basic level and progress to more advanced reading. They’ll also gain valuable knowledge about monarch butterfly migration – an excellent opportunity to combine science and literacy skills.
There’s also a storybook that uses butterflies and flowers to teach children about mathematics! Television actress and math whiz McKellar uses her charming illustrations to help kids group numbers in multiple ways.
Pop-up books that follow a butterfly’s journey from caterpillar to adult will captivate any young nature enthusiast. These vibrant books contain detailed scenes that will enchant any young reader.
Keep this book handy to give your students a deeper understanding of butterfly metamorphosis and how they can contribute to keeping them safe. Plus, they’ll get an accurate representation of a butterfly’s appearance and color so they can identify it easily when they spot one!
This book may be longer than some of its peers, but it’s packed with insightful facts about butterflies, superpowers of some butterflies, and even dinosaur facts!