A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Bugs by Eliza Berkowitz

Fascinating, familiar specimens of insects AND arachnids are found in this lovely guide for young naturalists.

A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Bugs by Eliza Berkowitz, illustrated by Nicole LaRue. Gibbs Smith, 2023. 96 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 8-10

Recommended For: Ages 8-10

Forty fascinating, familiar specimens of insects AND arachnids are found in this lovely, kid-friendly guide. Each page spread features an illustration, the common name, family or scientific name, description, food, life-cycle, habitat, size, and fun (or not so fun) facts about small creatures that may be found in many parts of the United States.

The book begins with how to build a bug hotel with an old log, stones, and yard debris, and ends with another kind of log (a table or list) for keeping track of what you find, plus a glossary.

The compact size makes it handy for a backpack or nature display. My only complaints are that it begins with a scorpion (I don’t believe it is THAT common across the United States!) and has no easy way to look things up aside from turning every page. A table of contents or index with thumbnail images would have been helpful for this audience. But since there are only 40 specimens, flipping through the book could help build awareness of what other “bugs” to look for. A nice introduction for young naturalists.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

• Worldview/Moral Rating: 4 out of 5
• Literary/Artistic Rating: 4 out of 5

Read more about our ratings here.

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