20 Fun Facts About Beetles

Gr 3–5—One or two sentences per page, in large, eye-catching red print, offer salient facts about the featured insects, usually involving an unusual physical or behavioral characteristic. Each numbered statement is followed by a short paragraph with more detail. For instance, Dragonflies states that "A dragonfly could keep up with a moving car on a city street," and then explains that some species can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. Praying Mantises states that, "Female praying mantises sometimes eat the head of their mate," and then offers possible reasons for this behavior. Other entries briefly describe: key body parts, senses, defense mechanisms, hunting and/or feeding methods, diets, life cycles, etc. The texts are set against pastel backgrounds resembling file folders and are illustrated on almost every page with one or two clear color photographs. Captions, mounted on yellow backgrounds mimicking sticky notes, provide additional information. Each book also includes a chart, graph, or diagram with facts on related species, prey, or life cycles. All four titles are succinctly written and straightforward, with the minor exception of a silly, anthropomorphic comment in Stick Bugs regarding parthenogenesis, i.e., "Female stick bugs might be some of the most independent women on the planet." General introductions to these insects are available with more detailed information, but the assorted odd facts offered here are easily accessible and will appeal to browsers.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library