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Icky Bug Books
[(The Icky Bug Alphabet Book )] [Author: Jerry Pallotta] [Feb-1989]
This book helps children discover intriguing facts about the world of bugs and insects. The lighthearted text and vivid illustrations make this alphabetical exploration of small animal life both informative and entertaining. Full color.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
2 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
239 books111 followersMy full name is Gerard Larry Pallotta but my mom always called me "Jerry". I was born on March 26, 1953 in Boston, Massachusetts. My mom's name is Mary, and she came from a family of ten children. My dad's name is Joe, and he came from a family of five children. My grandparents were immigrants of Italian descent. I have the nicest parents in the world. They have always been unselfish and ready to help me, even today. I have four brothers and two sisters: Joey, David, Andrew, Danny, Cindy and Mickey. I have seventy-two first cousins. When I was growing up, there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 18, 2021
Well yes, Jerry Pallotta’s The Icky Bug Alphabet Book is definitely fun, detailed and informative (both as an alphabet book and as a general introduction to insects, to bugs), but I do have to point out that I personally happen to find the title rather (no, actually quite majorly) misleading (as in my humble opinion, none of the insects featured and presented by Jerry Pallotta in his The Icky Bug Alphabet Book are what I would consider in any way "icky" and/or disgusting, to be actively avoided and feared).
And honestly speaking, the book title actually thus does manage to majorly rub me the wrong proverbial way. For truly, we should be teaching children that bugs and insects are an important part of the animal kingdom, of the cycle of life, and not "icky" and/or potentially horrible (and one of the main reasons why so many of us often desire and strive to squish and squash bugs on sight is likely because we have simply been taught and tend to believe that all bugs, that all insects are by nature and necessity vile and yuck-inducing creatures). And while the information, the details presented by Jerry Pallotta in The Icky Bug Alphabet Book certainly does NOT AT ALL show the latter (in fact, rather the opposite is the case, as the featured insects are generally depicted in a more than balanced and positive manner), for and to me, the title does have the tendency to assume disgustingness, to assume that insects are by nature uncanny, strange and offence inducing (well, that at least has been my personal opinion regarding the title of The Icky Bug Alphabet Book and I still find this to be the case). And this factoid, this sad truth, is very much frustrating and unfortunate, as it in my opinion undermines the many positives, or rather, it it has the potential to undermine the many positives that Jerry Pallotta and his The Icky Bug Alphabet Book attempt to present and teach (and for children who already might have an aversion to insects, or even mild squeamishness, seeing a book title that supposedly and prominently features so-called icky, read loathsome, vile bugs, could perhaps prevent them from even wanting to consider The Icky Bug Alphabet Book and to thus miss out on a fun, educational and really in no way creepy and crawly reading and letter/biology learning experience). Three stars!
And honestly speaking, the book title actually thus does manage to majorly rub me the wrong proverbial way. For truly, we should be teaching children that bugs and insects are an important part of the animal kingdom, of the cycle of life, and not "icky" and/or potentially horrible (and one of the main reasons why so many of us often desire and strive to squish and squash bugs on sight is likely because we have simply been taught and tend to believe that all bugs, that all insects are by nature and necessity vile and yuck-inducing creatures). And while the information, the details presented by Jerry Pallotta in The Icky Bug Alphabet Book certainly does NOT AT ALL show the latter (in fact, rather the opposite is the case, as the featured insects are generally depicted in a more than balanced and positive manner), for and to me, the title does have the tendency to assume disgustingness, to assume that insects are by nature uncanny, strange and offence inducing (well, that at least has been my personal opinion regarding the title of The Icky Bug Alphabet Book and I still find this to be the case). And this factoid, this sad truth, is very much frustrating and unfortunate, as it in my opinion undermines the many positives, or rather, it it has the potential to undermine the many positives that Jerry Pallotta and his The Icky Bug Alphabet Book attempt to present and teach (and for children who already might have an aversion to insects, or even mild squeamishness, seeing a book title that supposedly and prominently features so-called icky, read loathsome, vile bugs, could perhaps prevent them from even wanting to consider The Icky Bug Alphabet Book and to thus miss out on a fun, educational and really in no way creepy and crawly reading and letter/biology learning experience). Three stars!
August 29, 2019
Jerry Pallotta is my go-to author for alphabet books! Insightful, informative... even comical! The illustrations are delightful! Highly recommend for elementary children! A must-have for your classroom library!
May 7, 2019
First of all, most of the "bugs" in this book are actually INSECTS, and quite a few of them are ARACHNIDS. There is a disclaimer at the back of the book; had it been at the front, I wouldn't have wasted so much time wondering if the author was an idiot who didn't realize that a spider is not an insect. And, lastly - I resent the implication that bugs are ICKY. While I would not encourage children to handle insects, I would certainly not attempt to foster the idea that they are disgusting pests needing exterminating. Pallotta does a fair job of presenting fascinating facts about each insect . . . so, why the off-putting title?
Sorry, but even Ralph Masiello's lovely, detailed artwork cannot save this one.
Sorry, but even Ralph Masiello's lovely, detailed artwork cannot save this one.
December 23, 2020
Too bad about the title, used for marketing but actually reinforcing that bugs & similar critters are icky. The information is very introductory, and the note at the end about bugs vs. insects etc. is very concise. The paintings are wonderful.
I am interested in more by Pallotta, particularly two different garden/ vegetable titles, and The Spice Alphabet Book: Herbs, Spices, and Other Natural Flavors aka the Yummy Alphabet Book.
I do recommend this to families who homeschool and do enrichment.
I am interested in more by Pallotta, particularly two different garden/ vegetable titles, and The Spice Alphabet Book: Herbs, Spices, and Other Natural Flavors aka the Yummy Alphabet Book.
I do recommend this to families who homeschool and do enrichment.
January 12, 2010
A nicely illustrated alphabet book featuring insects, arachnids and other bugs. Our girls didn't like that it was titled "Icky," though. They love bugs and felt they were being maligned. As I was reading this, I thought that it was similar to the Beetle Alphabet book, duh!, not realizing that it was by the same author. I preferred the beetle book, perhaps because it's a more refined, polished effort.
September 17, 2020
I think this book would work best either read independently or on a lap, since it felt like there was about one more sentence on each page than I would like for a storytime. I have no problem with summarizing or skipping details in my preschool STEAM programs, but the (lovely!) illustrations weren't bold enough to grab attention while reading outside, and we abandoned it at M (for Monarchs) to move onto a book about butterflies. I think this might have worked better in an indoor context, though, so I'll reevaluate if I run this program again.
June 13, 2008
Jerry Pallota made learning letters and numbers fun again. This was the first of his many books we have bought over the years. For icky bug lovers...
June 10, 2024
How I wish that the title of this book did not imply that bugs are "icky". The book is well done and presents most of the critter inside in a positive light but that title just bugs me (yes, pun intended). I am looking forward to reading this one with my grandson the next time he visits. His mom is doing a fantastic job of raising him without fear of most bugs (except for the stupid ticks that are so thick in their part of the world) and I am excited to help carry that respect forward with him.
February 10, 2018
My son and I love this book. The illustrations are simply stunning, bright, and clear. The authors have a sense of humor (see "U is for unfinished painting.") We enjoy this one even though we are long past learning A, B, C's.
June 12, 2019
This book names an insect, bug, and spider for each letter of the alphabet, with the exception of the letter X, but did find a reasonable replacement. Facts, and fun combine to make this book a learning experience.
August 20, 2017
One of Kathleen's favorites!
December 4, 2017
This is a great book to use when teaching children the alphabet.
July 19, 2018
This is how you write an alphabet book! Great writing and illustrations!
August 27, 2019
great text about "icky bugs" in an alphabet book format. Kids will enjoy the information and the illustrations.
November 30, 2019
This would be great for fifth graders, especially those learning to research.
February 5, 2022
Thought it was funny at the end they have a note specifying that most of the “bugs” in the book are not actually bugs but arachnids.
February 6, 2015
"The Icky Bug Alphabet Book" struck me as a great book to introduce children to the natural sciences, especially in relation to insects and arachnids. It has a good mixture of illustration, information, and wittiness that it makes for a good read for both parent/teacher and child. Though the parents may know most of the information (such as the eye-spots on the Io Moth being for scaring away predators and praying mantis being seen as helpful for eating harmful bugs) it is probablly novel for children, and the facts can spark constructive conversation. The book even contains some facts that surprised me (such as the water spider weaving its own air sack to go swimming underwater). On each page the book provides enough information to be interesting, yet also leaves the reader wanting more. If you want to interest your child in nature (especially insects) this book should probably be on your list.
Something I found rather interesting were the metafictive properties contained in the book. In fact the very first page of the book acknowledges its existence as a book by stating "A is for Alphabet Book" before getting on with things by stating "A is also for ant". These inclusions by the author ensure that the reader is entertained throughout the reading, and can be useful if one wants to introduce some properties of metaficitve literature to students. Other examples are the "Unfinished Painting" on page 21, and the "X is for the marking on the back of this bug". In the first case, we see the half-painted sketch of the Unicorn beetle with the commentary "On this page the illustrator forgot to finish painting the picture". In the latter case, we get a laugh by seeing the authors acknowledge that "[h]e could not find a bug whose name began with the letter X". These little winks and nods are great in making both old and younger readers laugh, and make the book unique among more linear non-fiction science books or alphabet books.
Now, one quality that stood out to me was the Jerry Pallotta's word choice. Being an alphabet book, one might expect to find simple easy words for teaching starting readers their A, B, C's, yet Pallotta decides to include far more advanced words such as "pincher", "greenheaded", "miserable", and "climate". What this tells us is that Pallotta's goal is not teaching the alphabet, but using the alphabet to teach about nature. Parents or teachers who read the book to younger children may have to explain the words (helping with vocabulary) and will most likely also need to explain certain concepts expressed, such as why the earwig is called such if it has nothing to do with ears, and how or why the water spider can go underwater. These explanations will have to come to the naturally curious audience, and will probably excite young children into wanting to find out more. As for older children (probably ages 8-10), they will naturally be curious, and probably even a little bit proud about the knowledge they acquire from the text. Personally, I would suggest having older readers (maybe ages 12-14) read the book to the younger readers, and have them explain the contents. Interesting conversation and develoment would be bound to happen. Therefore, it is strongly urged not to use the book in a vaccum, but to also utilize class or family discussion, as well as other outside sources, to obtain the full value of reading this book.
In short, "The Icky Bug Book" is a wonderful, slightly metafictive text that urges readers to go out and explore, or discover more about the world. Just be ready to help them do so.
Something I found rather interesting were the metafictive properties contained in the book. In fact the very first page of the book acknowledges its existence as a book by stating "A is for Alphabet Book" before getting on with things by stating "A is also for ant". These inclusions by the author ensure that the reader is entertained throughout the reading, and can be useful if one wants to introduce some properties of metaficitve literature to students. Other examples are the "Unfinished Painting" on page 21, and the "X is for the marking on the back of this bug". In the first case, we see the half-painted sketch of the Unicorn beetle with the commentary "On this page the illustrator forgot to finish painting the picture". In the latter case, we get a laugh by seeing the authors acknowledge that "[h]e could not find a bug whose name began with the letter X". These little winks and nods are great in making both old and younger readers laugh, and make the book unique among more linear non-fiction science books or alphabet books.
Now, one quality that stood out to me was the Jerry Pallotta's word choice. Being an alphabet book, one might expect to find simple easy words for teaching starting readers their A, B, C's, yet Pallotta decides to include far more advanced words such as "pincher", "greenheaded", "miserable", and "climate". What this tells us is that Pallotta's goal is not teaching the alphabet, but using the alphabet to teach about nature. Parents or teachers who read the book to younger children may have to explain the words (helping with vocabulary) and will most likely also need to explain certain concepts expressed, such as why the earwig is called such if it has nothing to do with ears, and how or why the water spider can go underwater. These explanations will have to come to the naturally curious audience, and will probably excite young children into wanting to find out more. As for older children (probably ages 8-10), they will naturally be curious, and probably even a little bit proud about the knowledge they acquire from the text. Personally, I would suggest having older readers (maybe ages 12-14) read the book to the younger readers, and have them explain the contents. Interesting conversation and develoment would be bound to happen. Therefore, it is strongly urged not to use the book in a vaccum, but to also utilize class or family discussion, as well as other outside sources, to obtain the full value of reading this book.
In short, "The Icky Bug Book" is a wonderful, slightly metafictive text that urges readers to go out and explore, or discover more about the world. Just be ready to help them do so.
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February 16, 2016Title: The ICKY BUG Alphabet Book
Author: Jerry Pallotta
Illustrator: Ralph Masiello
Genre: Alphabet Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Bugs, Nature
Opening line/sentence:
• A is for Alphabet book.
Brief Book Summary: (2-3 sentences in your own words)
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
• Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
• If you are keen on alphabet books, this is a nice variation. The author uses many unknown spiders, bugs and butterflies to fulfill his goal of illustrating the alphabet. The brilliant, true to life paintings and numerous insect facts make the book worthwhile in itself. An interesting angle on the world of insects. 1989, Charlesbridge, $14.95, $15.88 and $6.95. Ages 3 to 6.
• (PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge ;Zero to Ten] [distributor] (Watertown Mass.:) ([Slough:), PUBLISHED: c1986.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (cut & paste)
• Julie it was amazing
• Shelves: all-time-favs, books-i-own
• This is a really fun alphabet book about bugs. My son received this as a gift from his favorite Aunt Ali. He loves it and so does my daughter. It has become the "bedtime book" here recently. I have learned some names of bugs I didn't know and I just knew that people who were talking about "no seeums" were out of their mind and "seeing things"! Come to find out, it's really an insect!! Very fun, educational book!
Response to Two Professional Reviews: (3-4 sentences in your own words)
• Both of these reviews talk about the many different types of bugs, ones that many people have never heard of. They both talk about the educational factor and how it is worthwhile to read. They agree that the book is entertaining because there are great pictures to go along with the crazy bugs and insects.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: (3-4 sentences in your own words)
• This book is great for learning the alphabet as well as many new types of bugs and insects. There are great detailed pictures to go along with each animal and its environment. In addition, the book gives some information on the bug, no just the name. It gives a sentence or two about the creature and captures the students attention.
Consideration of Instructional Application: (3-4 sentences in your own words)
• This book is a great book for learning the alphabet because the students can remember the letters by the first letter of the crazy bugs. This would be a fun coloring activity for the students to get outlines of these bugs, each day getting a new letter. They would be able to write the name of the animal as well as color in the picture of the insect.
Author: Jerry Pallotta
Illustrator: Ralph Masiello
Genre: Alphabet Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Bugs, Nature
Opening line/sentence:
• A is for Alphabet book.
Brief Book Summary: (2-3 sentences in your own words)
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
• Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
• If you are keen on alphabet books, this is a nice variation. The author uses many unknown spiders, bugs and butterflies to fulfill his goal of illustrating the alphabet. The brilliant, true to life paintings and numerous insect facts make the book worthwhile in itself. An interesting angle on the world of insects. 1989, Charlesbridge, $14.95, $15.88 and $6.95. Ages 3 to 6.
• (PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge ;Zero to Ten] [distributor] (Watertown Mass.:) ([Slough:), PUBLISHED: c1986.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (cut & paste)
• Julie it was amazing
• Shelves: all-time-favs, books-i-own
• This is a really fun alphabet book about bugs. My son received this as a gift from his favorite Aunt Ali. He loves it and so does my daughter. It has become the "bedtime book" here recently. I have learned some names of bugs I didn't know and I just knew that people who were talking about "no seeums" were out of their mind and "seeing things"! Come to find out, it's really an insect!! Very fun, educational book!
Response to Two Professional Reviews: (3-4 sentences in your own words)
• Both of these reviews talk about the many different types of bugs, ones that many people have never heard of. They both talk about the educational factor and how it is worthwhile to read. They agree that the book is entertaining because there are great pictures to go along with the crazy bugs and insects.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: (3-4 sentences in your own words)
• This book is great for learning the alphabet as well as many new types of bugs and insects. There are great detailed pictures to go along with each animal and its environment. In addition, the book gives some information on the bug, no just the name. It gives a sentence or two about the creature and captures the students attention.
Consideration of Instructional Application: (3-4 sentences in your own words)
• This book is a great book for learning the alphabet because the students can remember the letters by the first letter of the crazy bugs. This would be a fun coloring activity for the students to get outlines of these bugs, each day getting a new letter. They would be able to write the name of the animal as well as color in the picture of the insect.
February 25, 2022
Gift from Harper's grandmother
July 3, 2017
I remember when I first came upon this author and it was since of my elementary school. We had an assembly where the author was invited and ever since he told me there was a Julia butterfly I have been hooked with him.
The book writing is simple, large letters and easy for any child to read, especially with very young beginners. Furthermore each letter is covered even if the author has to be creative such as in this case where he uses Cotton Stainer for the X on the back of its carapace.
The other thing that will catch the reader's attention is the beautiful detailed artwork and the interactive reading style that asks the reader to answer a question, what they should do and/or mentioning something basic such as unfinished letter so you don't know that you are learning as you read.
What gave an extra bonus to me is that the author uses the last page to mention the little known fact that the book isn't really about bugs but insects and arachnids while describing the actual term of bug plus which of the ones mentioned were true bugs.
Definitely a literary gem!
The book writing is simple, large letters and easy for any child to read, especially with very young beginners. Furthermore each letter is covered even if the author has to be creative such as in this case where he uses Cotton Stainer for the X on the back of its carapace.
The other thing that will catch the reader's attention is the beautiful detailed artwork and the interactive reading style that asks the reader to answer a question, what they should do and/or mentioning something basic such as unfinished letter so you don't know that you are learning as you read.
What gave an extra bonus to me is that the author uses the last page to mention the little known fact that the book isn't really about bugs but insects and arachnids while describing the actual term of bug plus which of the ones mentioned were true bugs.
Definitely a literary gem!
November 19, 2008
First of all I have to say that I didn't think the bugs were "icky" enough. For example, cricket is the bug for C. What happened to the super disgusting cockroach? How about lice instead of Ladybird Beetle? Or maggots? We did enjoy all of the bugs listed, but still I sort of wanted a higher gross factor!
As with all of Pallotta's books the illustrations are fantastic. We learned a little bit about each bug, insect, spider, etc. This is not an in-depth book by any means, but you could use it as a springboard for learning more about the bugs or you could just enjoy a few brief snippets of new information.
All of the boys enjoy the humor of these books and laugh outloud. They ask for them frequently. In reading it this last time I thought 'hm, these could be used by beginning readers who have moved past Cat in the Hat'. The language is fairly simple although a few of the names might be hard.
Highly recommended.
As with all of Pallotta's books the illustrations are fantastic. We learned a little bit about each bug, insect, spider, etc. This is not an in-depth book by any means, but you could use it as a springboard for learning more about the bugs or you could just enjoy a few brief snippets of new information.
All of the boys enjoy the humor of these books and laugh outloud. They ask for them frequently. In reading it this last time I thought 'hm, these could be used by beginning readers who have moved past Cat in the Hat'. The language is fairly simple although a few of the names might be hard.
Highly recommended.
March 24, 2013
While I think this book is a good educational book for children, my star rating merely reflects my own personal interests and feelings towards the book as an adult. I have just finished reading the book with my 2 and half year old niece, she was fascinated by it. The book teaches children about different insects and bugs, using each letter of the alphabet. It would fantastic to use in a Foundation Stage Science lesson, as it can be used to discuss what an insect is and possible habitats for the mentioned insets. My niece found the illustrations most amusing and asked a lot of questions based on them, so the pictures could definitely be used to extend children's understanding of the natural environment. While my niece loved the illustrations, personally I found them to be too dark and not colourful enough. Although, I think this could just be due to my age. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers and parents with children in the EYFS.
July 24, 2015
The only 'icky' bug in this picture book is probably the earwig. It's a hit with budding entomologists, though; more of a bug book than an alphabet book. The illustrations are very accurate and clear, and while the bugs in question are mostly not too unusual, there is a good variety of types! The text is informative, and there are some places where it is funny (as when the author frankly admits they couldn't find a bug that begins with X, or when U is originally represented by an Unfinished illustration), I would not say it is humorous throughout-- more like didactic with a few humorous entries. A bit dry for my taste. Some of the words are a big long, but my early reader plowed through them.
Still, if you have a bug-lover in the house-- as I do, with my six year old son-- this will be interesting. Follow up with something like Ranger Rick Jr. or some of the full color bug oddities books.
Still, if you have a bug-lover in the house-- as I do, with my six year old son-- this will be interesting. Follow up with something like Ranger Rick Jr. or some of the full color bug oddities books.
May 6, 2015
I liked this book because it is interchangeable with subjects. I chose Icky Bug as one of my informational books because I thought it was witty and clever. It not only expressed the different types of bugs in ABC form, but he also gave fun facts about the bugs as well!For example, blister beetles are used for medicine and honey ants are delicious. Icky Bugs could be used in multiple lessons, one lesson could be formed by having the students research other bugs that start with each letter of the alphabet and create sentences of facts about each bug. Also, we could use this in a Science lesson by analyzing the differences and similarities between insects. The nonfiction conventions of this book are the facts used within the story. This book is appropriate for K-1st graders.
April 8, 2014
This book introduces readers to 'icky' bugs that start with each letter of the alphabet, for example C for cricket and L for ladybug. The bug touches on a few basic details about each bug but does not go too in depth about the individual insects; this is why I think the book is perfect for a younger audience. The illustrations are also eye catching and very engaging (again, another reason why I would recommend it for lower elementary age students). The book can help teach or review the alphabets for the younger students as well as teach them about some bugs that they were not already familiar with.
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December 15, 2014Students can enjoy this book because it has a lot of very colorful (and large) pictures of insects with information about some kind of insect on each page. It follows the alphabet so there are definitely a lot of things for the student to get out of this book. I would encourage my middle readers to go through this book because while there isn’t a lot of print on each page, the vocabulary is a little specific which may make it difficult for lower readers to decode and comprehend all of the new words (i.e. katydids). However, if lower readers were determined to read this book, the pictures are certainly big enough to offer some context clues. Level T from Scholastic.
530L
530L
June 23, 2015
This book was hilarious to me. It was made to help children learn the alphabet by using bugs as examples for each letter. It has one funny page, which kids will love. It is very colorful and there is a lot of information about each bug listed.
This book is great! I was able to see how children can excel at learning the alphabet by looking at and reading this book. There were a lot of great facts about every bug that was listed. The pictures were very colorful as well.
I would use this in a classroom. It helps the children, especially boys be motivated about learning the alphabet. There are also great facts and cautions about each bug that help the children know what to stay away from.
This book is great! I was able to see how children can excel at learning the alphabet by looking at and reading this book. There were a lot of great facts about every bug that was listed. The pictures were very colorful as well.
I would use this in a classroom. It helps the children, especially boys be motivated about learning the alphabet. There are also great facts and cautions about each bug that help the children know what to stay away from.
February 23, 2015
This book would be perfect for a kindergarten classroom. It goes through the alphabet, assigning each letter to a different bugs. The illustrations by Ralph Masiello are colorful and realistic and do a great job aiding the story.
I would use this book as a read aloud for a younger classroom like kindergarten or first grade when talking about the alphabet or doing a lesson on bugs. Students would enjoy the illustrations and rhythm of the book while learning either the alphabet for the first time if they are younger students, or bugs for a relatively older group.
I would use this book as a read aloud for a younger classroom like kindergarten or first grade when talking about the alphabet or doing a lesson on bugs. Students would enjoy the illustrations and rhythm of the book while learning either the alphabet for the first time if they are younger students, or bugs for a relatively older group.
April 22, 2009
This is a really fun alphabet book about bugs. My son received this as a gift from his favorite Aunt Ali. He loves it and so does my daughter. It has become the "bedtime book" here recently. I have learned some names of bugs I didn't know and I just knew that people who were talking about "no seeums" were out of their mind and "seeing things"! Come to find out, it's really an insect!! Very fun, educational book!
February 5, 2011
A colorful ABC book using insects to illustrate the 26 letters of the alphabet. I like the disclaimer in the back which states: "Although the general public considers every creature in this book a bug, in fact, only the Yellow Plant Bug and the Cotton Stainer are true bugs. The Orb Weaver, Water Spider and Tarantula are spiders. The Velvet Mite and the Scorpion are arachnids. The rest, including the true bugs, are insects." Amazing, what we can learn from children's books!
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