Insects Do the Strangest Things

Step-Up Books

by Leonora Hornblow, Arthur Hornblow, Michael Frith (Illustrator)

Book by Leonora and Arthur Hornblow

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Nonfiction

60 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 1968

Reviews

[Jen]

A light educational book on insects. We enjoyed learning a little more about our tiny friends.

[Rachel Yoder]

My 5 year old and I just finished this book. I personally loved it because they didn’t just talk about common bugs and they didn’t write in a “baby” tone. It was well written and as if they expected the child to have intelligent thought about what was being read/heard. Excellent book!

[Jeremiah]

I just read this to my five and three year old. The three year old said it was scary and fell asleep. The five year old was fascinated from beginning to end. We had to read some parts twice. It’s a longer read than most picture books, so be prepared. Also, it was written in 1968 so people are generalized as men.

I don’t know if my daughter will ever wear silk, after reading how it’s made. But she does want a pet praying mantis now.

Also, the authors and illustrator have fascinating bios—I want to know more about them.

Solid, science-y read!

Disclaimer: the science is 50 years old, but still interesting.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Covers nearly 20 different insects. I wish this had better illustrations (at least some photos could be nice).

[Tanya]

When I was a little kid I read this book over and over again. I remember learning about the insects that could walk on water, the illustration showing a "pet" katydid tied with a string to a boy's bedpost, and wanting to keep lightning bugs in a glass jar like the kids in the book. What fun memories!

[James Kirby]

With all of today's turbulent current events, I had to return to the comfort of a childhood favorite I read countless times back in the day. I still remember learning some interesting entomological tidbits from this book, but I probably didn't realize how ridiculous some of the extreme personification sounds. For example, this "fact" made me laugh out loud: "The new dragonflies that come out of the eggs are called nymphs. They may be the ugliest and greediest things in the world."

[Kelly]

Great little book for early elementary nature study.

[Cws]

J595.7Hor

[Mark]

Read review of "Birds Do the Strangest Things".