Right from the introduction, which explains that insects are not only the most numerous animals on the planet, out-numbering humans by 1.4 billion to one, but the most important, this excellent information book opens readers’ eyes to the wonders of planet insect.
Attractive colour illustrations and diagrams support illuminating text which passes on facts in a way guaranteed to inspire and intrigue young readers as well as to inform them. The section on cockroaches for example, lets us know that while they have a bad reputation for breaking into buildings and spoiling food, they’re also some of the best recyclers in the animal kingdom.
The book covers the huge variety of insects that exist, explaining the differences between groups and its author’s fascination with her subject is contagious. A final section encourages children to go out into gardens or parks to observe insects in their natural habitats and, inspired by what they’ve read, lots will be eager to do just that.
Did you know that without insects, humankind could not survive?
This illustrated, fact-filled title explores the huge variety of insects, with a focus on what makes an insect an insect, the differences between the groups, and why insects are the most important animal group on Earth.
Broken down into sections exploring each of the main types of insect, each section takes a different, playfully visual approach to really capture the character of the insects in the order being explored. As well as including practical advice for observing insects safely, a section at the back of the book describes ways to help insects and encourage them into a garden no matter how small.
Isabel Thomas is an award-winning science writer and children’s author. She has written more than 180 science books about science and nature for young audiences. Isabel has been shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Awards and won the AAAS Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books 2020.
When she's not writing, you'll find her experimenting, inventing, drawing, exploring and wearing out her library card.
Isabel read Human Sciences at Oxford University, before working in journalism and children's publishing. She lives in Cambridge, where she's zookeeper to three young sons and a primary school governor.
