Bugs A to Z ~ Wacky Wednesday Picture Book & KID KANDY

Bugs A to Z
By Caroline Lawton
(Scholastic Inc., 2011)

It's that time of year. Bugs. Creepy crawlies. Insects. Spiders. Scorpions.

Bugs A to Z takes advantage of our natural interest and fascination (both positive and negative) with the insect world. Even those of us who shriek at the sight of particular six-legged versions (I'm raising my hand), this nonfiction picture book is fantastic.

Bugs A to Z is filled with high quality photographs of a wide variety of bugs - plenty to get you shuddering or running for high ground. This book is not limited to just insects, but other buggy types are included. Think spiders and scorpions in addition to the regular sort of rustling creepers.

Boys and girls will love to be grossed out by the pictures and information shared in Bugs A to Z. Each letter features one bug and a tidbit of information about that particular critter.

Prepare to be amazed.

KID KANDY:

Go on a Critter Hunt - Catch and Release

Materials: bug cage, magnifying glass, plastic container with a lid (for catching only)

Head on out. There are plenty of interesting creatures just waiting for us to observe them. Use the plastic container to scoop up a bug and quickly cover the top with the lid. Open the bug cage and dump in the critter. Use the magnifying glasses to closely inspect your captive creepy crawly.

What is it? How many legs does it have? Can you see the body parts, eyes, feelers, antennae, legs, or stingers? How do you feel about this bug?

Time for another hunt. Don't forget to release the bug in the cage before adding a new one, or who knows what could happen!

Funny story: I had a bug cage at church and had captured a jumping spider. The preschoolers loved looking at it. Suddenly, I noticed that it had escaped and was racing across the floor. I quickly snatched it up and dumped it back in the cage. Where it was attacked and killed by the first jumping spider that I had put it there! The first one had not escaped like we thought. The second spider was a new intruder in our room.

Poor spider. Maybe that was a sad story.