Insect Detective

Insect Detective by Steve Voake and illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Reading level: Picture book (Ages 4-8)

Summary: “Become an insect detective and find out what the insects around you are up to. ” Children are encouraged to listen for a wasp scraping wood from a fence post, to follow ants, to lift a stone, to look closely at a leaf that is hiding a moth, and to count legs.

Illustrations: Pen-and-watercolor

Comments:  A lovely book! The text is poetic and the descriptions of different kinds of insects are enchanting. The illustrations are delicate. Underlying the beauty, however, is a solid foundation of factual information and the gentle message to learn to appreciate the wonders of nature around you.

Related activities:

• Insect-related activities are included in the book on pages 28-29.
• Pull out some paper and watercolors and create some Voake-inspired paintings of insects
• Critter Crawl
• Review and activities at SimplyScience

Compatible fiction: Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss

Publisher:  Candlewick (February 23, 2010)

ISBN-10: 9780763644475
ISBN-13: 978-0763644475

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Next title to be reviewed: Bat Researcher by Michael Burgan