Bug Safari [Library Binding] [2004] (Author) Bob Barner

by Bob Barner

A young explorer finds dragonflies, bees, beetles, and an army of black ants on the move in this introduction to insects and other creepy crawlies. A four-page glossary provides information on the sixteen kinds of bugs seen in this story.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Summer, Animals

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Bob Barner has been drawing since he was three years old. He graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design, then moved to Boston where he was an art director at several advertising agencies and design studios. He was hired to help comic strip creator Al Capp draw Li'l Abner and studied with Milton Glaser at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He lives with his wife, Cathie, in San Francisco, California, where, in 2004, he was honored as a San Francisco Library Laureate.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I liked the bright colors and collage artwork, the book is a bit text heavy and overly long for most young listeners. The glossary of Bugs in the Book at the end is a nice touch.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! Most adults, and probably some of the kids, will guess that the boy is really in his back yard the whole time, and so his musings throughout his "safari" had me chuckling throughout. I particularly enjoyed the comment that he hoped to see another human being sometime in his life. This would be a great way to kick off a summer outdoor excursion: read the book and then have the kids see if they can find any of the bugs spotted in the story.

[Maeghan Kostorowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the illustrations in this book and how colorful they are! This book is great because it includes many non-fiction facts. My favorite part is how, at the end of the book, it includes all the bugs listed in the book. It even includes a little summary of each one.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book to my students! My first graders are in the midst of an insect unit in the media center. In this title, a safari scientists follows a group of marching black ants and observes their habits. The ants face natural predators and ultimately end up in the same place as our intrepid scientists - a picnic! Bob Barner includes a blurb of info about each insect in the book. A perfect introduction to an insect nonfiction lesson or bug safari of your own. My students also enjoyed the bright, attractive illustrations.

Recommended for kindergarten and first grade. This is definitely a title I'll use with my students again.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bug Safari tells the tale of a young explorer lost in a jungle; he encounters many different kinds of bugs and what they do (i.e., ants, bees, beetles). The narrative includes questions that heighten anxiety (“We were moving quickly—but to where and what?”) as well as informational tidbits about the bugs. Barner’s prose is clear and includes some figurative language, and the action in the story moves quickly along. The accompany illustrations are truly delightful. They include bright, often primary, colors and recognizable shapes with a touch of the abstract. What is lost in minute detail is made up with the sometimes exaggerated characterization displayed in the illustrations.

[Neil Nicholson]

The little boy in this story goes on an ant safari. He tells a narrative of everything that happened on the safari. The pictures are great. I would recommend this book for grades 3rd through 5th. I was thinking this book could be used as an example of a narrative story. The author does a great job of using narrative elements and lots of supporting details that kids need to know when writing.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations that pop off the page and a story for the explorer in all of us. The young explorer of this book isn't sure he will survive his safari adventure, but all ends well.

Read more of my review at the link below.

http://www.examiner.com/fiction-in-sa...

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great for primary readers, and that's exactly who I used it with and every group that I read it to really enjoyed it. The text differentiates between insects and bugs and has a nice narrative adventure to push the pace of the text forward. It's really a well done book with a postscript that allows for some extra details about the insects found in the text.

[Shyam Rahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is a book about a little boy who goes on a safari through his garden, following the ants. I loved this book because I love the ants! I love the pictures. Girls and boys will definitely like it because there are butterflies and dragonflies!"

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vibrant colors add to the safari with ants to a picnic. Students mention that they have recently measured ants. Further information about the many book mentioned in the book is included in addition to a diagram of a bug.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child I was avidly devoted to studying the goings-on in every inch of my yard and the nearby creek bank; this book brought back some memories. Bug Safari is a celebration of the magic of backyard nature.

[Hayli Wrigley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could see a kid being interested in this book, especially boys, because it is about following bugs. I would be a fun book to attach to a science lesson about bugs. Maybe have a lesson, read the book, then go on a bug safari as a class or have an ant farm.

[Cj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very fun to read with the kids and the pictures are pretty unique:-) I also enjoyed that there's a glossary in the back of the book that list all the insects and what not that was in the book.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little boy follows the ants around him and bumps into other animals as he follows them. Where could they could be going? He learns some great stuff along the way. Very cute concept but long so one on one or preschool.

[Universitybabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The kids have other preferences before this book but they likes learning about ants and following one. Another one with too many words for little kids.

[Zonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful collage illustrations make this first person adventure an exciting way to learn about our insect world. Bug facts included on the last pages.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the informational facts about some of the creatures you encountered on your bug safari. It was fun to learn about bug life and find out what these creatures do all day.

[Hilary Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love buggies! :)

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

demonstrates scientific observation. A bit long

[Finny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mommy says: Finny would not even let me read this to him after the first page. That's how much he hated it.

[Michal Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations in this one -- great for toddler/preschool as they get to know their bugs.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells how the author, as a young boy, followed a trail of ants and came across various other insects and small creatures, then briefly provides facts about each creature encountered.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author recalls a memory of following an ant trail. Simple and sweet story with wonderfully colorful illustrations. Little ones will love it!

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

used it during our bug week. the kids loved the bright colorful pages. I thought the story was a good one and used fun expressive tones in my voice while reading it.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it's a little too abstract for a toddler, but I love the pictures and concept.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute concept, but the kiddos were a little bored by it.