Review by Booklist Review
This cheerful picture book about bugs conveys a considerable amount of information in brief captions aligned with brightly colored illustrations sprinkled across two-page spreads. Luna the Ladybug serves as the narrator and guide and, after an initial review of her life cycle, covers inviting topics such as standard insect physical features, habitats, nocturnal insects, water bugs, superlatives (biggest, tiniest, noisiest), camouflage artists, and gruesome bug-eating bugs. Folk tales from around the world (North America, southern Europe, Brazil, Ancient Greece, South Africa) appear every few chapters; occasional "Teeny-Tiny Bug Fact" sidebars offer one-sentence observations, and the final messages are about being kind to bugs--and especially nice to ladybugs. The layouts are pleasantly busy without being overwhelming and guide readers through the pages in logical progression. Part of the Stars of Nature series (other titles consider birds, trees, and the ocean), this visual treat will appeal to a range of bug-browsing enthusiasts and serve as great introductory material for older student researchers.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--The fifth title in the "Stars of Nature" series explores insects, their habitats, interesting facts, and folklore with a cheerful ladybug, Luna, navigating the way. Luna describes types of insects and their body structure, and holds competitions for the best habitat builders. Comparisons between the largest and smallest bugs, as well as the most gruesome, are sure to delight and inspire. Minekar's bright art is beautifully crisp, a mixed digital output of watercolor and gouache that invites a close look. Design and graphic choices create movement on each page, with a "Teeny-Tiny Bug Fact" leaf for each spread of insect facts. Interspersed is folklore from around the globe; each tale propels Luna into a new segment of the bug world. In South Africa's "Why the Ants Can Never Win," the ants' folly segues into the value of insects to the food chain and environment. This expansive approach from a microscopic to the whole world is quite effective. A table of contents page is included as is phonetic spelling for some, but not all, complex words. VERDICT Highly recommended for all collections serving elementary students, this is a fantastic journey into bug land.--Rachel Zuffa
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