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Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders
In his fourth stunning nonfiction picture book for Sterling Children's Books, acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky brings out the beauty--and the “wow!” and the “yuck!” factors--of hundreds of insects and spiders. Eight spectacular gatefolds show moths and mosquitoes, butterflies and beetles, spiders and silverfish life-size, up-close, and personal! A CCBC Choice 2013, the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children's Book Center.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2012
67 people want to read
About the author
Jim Arnosky
162 books77 followersJim Arnosky was born in New York City, NY Sept 1, 1946. He was raised in Pennsylvania. Jim graduated from high school in Philadelphia and joined the US Naval Reserves. His active duty took him to Maryland and Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.
Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.
Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.
In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.
Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.
Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 27, 2012
What I like most about Jim Aronsky's newest title:
The fold out pages that invite interaction between the text and the reader. Think about this, the young reader who takes the time to fold out a page is quietly saying, "I'd like to find out more about this subject). While fold-out pages are not the best example of multi-modal text, they do invite young readers to look a little closer.
Aronsky is not removed from his subject. Instead of simply presenting the insects and spiders here, Aronsky writes--in a journal entry style--about his own experiences with that particular insect or spider giving the book an overall "This one time. . ." kind of feel.
For younger readers, Aronsky's title could serve as a first non-fiction resource for their own mini-research responses. Along with anecdote, Aronsky offers take-away information and graphics throughout the text.
The end pages of the book offer further reading affording younger readers the opportunities to choose their next title or create their own reading wish list regarding this subject.
One more thing. . .and I may have failed to mention this at the start. . .the book is about bugs. . .instects. . .spiders. . .
See that kid in the back of the room?
He wants to read about these.
The fold out pages that invite interaction between the text and the reader. Think about this, the young reader who takes the time to fold out a page is quietly saying, "I'd like to find out more about this subject). While fold-out pages are not the best example of multi-modal text, they do invite young readers to look a little closer.
Aronsky is not removed from his subject. Instead of simply presenting the insects and spiders here, Aronsky writes--in a journal entry style--about his own experiences with that particular insect or spider giving the book an overall "This one time. . ." kind of feel.
For younger readers, Aronsky's title could serve as a first non-fiction resource for their own mini-research responses. Along with anecdote, Aronsky offers take-away information and graphics throughout the text.
The end pages of the book offer further reading affording younger readers the opportunities to choose their next title or create their own reading wish list regarding this subject.
One more thing. . .and I may have failed to mention this at the start. . .the book is about bugs. . .instects. . .spiders. . .
See that kid in the back of the room?
He wants to read about these.
February 22, 2020
The illustrations in here are very good, and I especially like the use of silhouettes to provide actual size right beside the beautiful, detailed close-ups.
Probably more suitable for introductory reference to families of creepy-crawlie or for paging through like a coffee table book than for a single sit-down read aloud. Also, make sure to have a dictionary handy -- Arnosky explains terms as they come up, but thirty pages and a gap in time to reach them again means recollection isn't going to be superb.
Includes a page of other, related titles in the back.
Probably more suitable for introductory reference to families of creepy-crawlie or for paging through like a coffee table book than for a single sit-down read aloud. Also, make sure to have a dictionary handy -- Arnosky explains terms as they come up, but thirty pages and a gap in time to reach them again means recollection isn't going to be superb.
Includes a page of other, related titles in the back.
August 5, 2012
With six super-sized fold-out pages and drawings of insects and spiders that are much larger than life, this book allows readers to look closely at the things that flutter and crawl around them. Not only does Arnosky sketch and label these intriguing creatures on the right-hand pages, but his narrative describes his own interactions with them in a very personal way. For instance, he tells how a gypsy moth infestation near his woodland home seemed merely an annoyance until a scientist shared his observations wtih Arnosky, enabling him to see them from a different perspective. There is no doubt that this book will be popular with upper elementary and middle grade readers, partly because of the interesting facts the book contains but also because of those amazingly detailed illustrations of some of nature's living things that are often ignored.
August 16, 2012
I adore this book. Love it beyond words. Let's start with the easiest piece to praise: the art. FLAWLESS renderings of insects and spiders. And I LOVE that Arnosky includes a real-sized silhouette of every critter included. (Praying Mantises are enormous, btw) Then there's the tone the book is written it. It's like I'm on the best nature walk ever in all humanity. And then there's the fact that the information included was wonderful, surprising, and kind-of-gross-but-not-too-gross. Brilliant.
December 7, 2024
The wonderful Jim Arnosky, an author and illustrator whose many works of natural history for children have introduced young people to all kinds of fascinating creatures and habitats, turns in this book to the world of insects and spiders. He highlights a number of different categories of creature, including mayflies, dragonflies, stoneflies and caddisflies; beetles; caterpillars and the butterflies and moths they become; grasshoppers, katydids, crickets and mantids; bees, wasps, ants and flies; and spiders and other arachnids. There are six fold-outs, and depictions of various insects and spiders in super size, so that details can be seen. An author's note and a list of further reading can be found at the rear.
Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders is the sixty-fourth title I have read from Arnosky, whose work I find information and engaging, as well as beautifully-illustrated. It is the fifth of his books I have read in this format, with fold-out pages and sections devoted to various categories of creature, following upon titles like Slither and Crawl: Eye to Eye with Reptiles , Shimmer & Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life , Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints , and Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators . As with these other titles, I appreciated the fold-out pages and life-sized (or larger-than-life) depictions here, as I think that they make reading the book more involving and entertaining, as well as educational, for the child reader. The artwork itself is just lovely! Recommended to young animal lovers, particularly those interested in insects and spiders.
Note: I particularly appreciated the afterword here about being mindful of the small, which was poetic and occasionally quite lovely:
"Insects and spiders enliven the motionless ground and vibrate the invisible air, filling the world with movement and sound. They populate the space between us and the landscape. They provide a broad and bountiful foundation for the food chain. They pollinate our flowers and fertilize our crops. They add a pinch of seasoning to every outing. And perhaps most importantly, they teach us to be mindful of the small."
Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders is the sixty-fourth title I have read from Arnosky, whose work I find information and engaging, as well as beautifully-illustrated. It is the fifth of his books I have read in this format, with fold-out pages and sections devoted to various categories of creature, following upon titles like Slither and Crawl: Eye to Eye with Reptiles , Shimmer & Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life , Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints , and Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators . As with these other titles, I appreciated the fold-out pages and life-sized (or larger-than-life) depictions here, as I think that they make reading the book more involving and entertaining, as well as educational, for the child reader. The artwork itself is just lovely! Recommended to young animal lovers, particularly those interested in insects and spiders.
Note: I particularly appreciated the afterword here about being mindful of the small, which was poetic and occasionally quite lovely:
"Insects and spiders enliven the motionless ground and vibrate the invisible air, filling the world with movement and sound. They populate the space between us and the landscape. They provide a broad and bountiful foundation for the food chain. They pollinate our flowers and fertilize our crops. They add a pinch of seasoning to every outing. And perhaps most importantly, they teach us to be mindful of the small."
August 11, 2022
A stunning book with lots of information. It's a big book, with fold-out pages so plenty of room to show actual size insects and larger close-ups. This would make a great core book for a unit study on insects and spiders.
April 4, 2025
There are great pictures and information and my 8 year old loved this book.
His review:
"I love how it shows how big the bugs actually are. The pictures were beautiful. My favorite page was about bees, wasps, hornets and ants."
His review:
"I love how it shows how big the bugs actually are. The pictures were beautiful. My favorite page was about bees, wasps, hornets and ants."
January 11, 2024
An amazing nature book. Gorgeous illustrations and lots of information facts.
September 25, 2025
I love the illustrations!
September 6, 2012
This is a wonderful book about creepy crawlies. I love that Jim Arnosky shows how diverse and beautiful these creatures are and emphasizes their place in nature. He mentions how difficult it is to select creatures to depict, as the arthropods outnumber all other animals combined.
The drawings are so detailed and lifelike that we just had to stare in wonder and point out our favorites. The fold out pages are vividly colorful and the critters are nicely enlarged, almost enough to be alarming.
I loved his personal anecdotes that explain his love for these critters as well as how he discovered some of them. My favorite is the story about the bee in the section, 'Mindful of the Small.'
The narrative is detailed, but not overwhelming and this book can easily be read at one time, although we broke it up into two parts. There are seven main sections, a conclusion, an author's note and a list of other recommended books. While the book is very informative, it is certainly not boring. We really enjoyed reading this book together and will look for more of Mr. Arnosky's books at our local library.
The drawings are so detailed and lifelike that we just had to stare in wonder and point out our favorites. The fold out pages are vividly colorful and the critters are nicely enlarged, almost enough to be alarming.
I loved his personal anecdotes that explain his love for these critters as well as how he discovered some of them. My favorite is the story about the bee in the section, 'Mindful of the Small.'
The narrative is detailed, but not overwhelming and this book can easily be read at one time, although we broke it up into two parts. There are seven main sections, a conclusion, an author's note and a list of other recommended books. While the book is very informative, it is certainly not boring. We really enjoyed reading this book together and will look for more of Mr. Arnosky's books at our local library.
January 3, 2016
Arnosky tells about his experience with members of each of the major insect and arachnid orders, as well as scientific names and facts about the same. The stories bring the reader into the world of those particular animals. Arnosky's drawings are gorgeous and (I assume) accurate. He often draws larger than life size so the details of the animal can be appreciated. Several fold outs create more room for his drawings and explanations. As a teacher, though, those fold outs make me leery of purchasing the book. Students are often not careful on how the fold these back in creating pages that are creased and even torn. I wish the book had been a few pages longer without the fold outs.
May 2, 2015
Creepy, but oh so educational.
First off I can tell you both the Enginerd and I agree we would have gone for a different cover image. As a matter of fact he refused to look at it at first because of the spider. But aside from that... This book is very interesting. With large fold-out pages, life-size silhouette and plenty of facts. The illustrations are fascinating and detailed. Overall a great "boy" gift or homeschool science aid.
*Thanks to Sterling for providing a copy for review.*
First off I can tell you both the Enginerd and I agree we would have gone for a different cover image. As a matter of fact he refused to look at it at first because of the spider. But aside from that... This book is very interesting. With large fold-out pages, life-size silhouette and plenty of facts. The illustrations are fascinating and detailed. Overall a great "boy" gift or homeschool science aid.
*Thanks to Sterling for providing a copy for review.*
June 19, 2012
Reading this, along with Steve Jenkins' The Beetle Book, brings back memories of doing an intensive study of insects during a summer school enrichment course when I was a child. Arnosky clearly loves his subject, and the illustrations are gorgeous. Great basic introduction to the insect world.
July 23, 2013
Large fold-outs provide plenty of space for detailed drawings and paintings that are carefully labeled and explained snippets of text. What I really love about this book, though, is the introduction to each section that explains Aronsky's personal experience with each type of insect or spider. This book makes me want to see more of Aronsky's work.
May 16, 2014
A very comprehensive look at some of the world's insects and spiders. Pages fold out to show life cycles, enlargements of body parts, bug varieties, etc. An author's note and more resources should be shared at the end. Great preying mantis on the very last page!
May 5, 2012
The illustrations are just beautiful but the writing is really dry.
June 10, 2012
This large format book with gate-folded pages showcases insects and spiders along with Arnosky's signature first person account of his nature adventures. Gr. 1-5
July 3, 2012
I can't believe I liked a book about insects THIS much.
March 31, 2014
Love the fold out pages and the layers of information.
December 18, 2012
Stunning illustrations with eight awesome gatefolds and great information.
February 16, 2013
loved the illustrations
September 8, 2013
Love the fold-out pages. Great drawings for those interested in insects of all kinds.
July 11, 2024
Oh yes, my boys just love the pictures in this book.
June 9, 2012
Notes:
nature study and art
so beautiful with large fold-out pages
writing geared toward 9+
nature study and art
so beautiful with large fold-out pages
writing geared toward 9+
November 25, 2012
Spiders in all their glory as only Arnosky can deliver.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews