Buzz: A Family Guide to Bugs and Bees and How to Spot Them

by Richard A. Jones, Sara Boccaccini Meadows (Illustrator)

Discover 15 bugs with extraordinary abilities and uncover the secrets of their survival in nature though fun and accessible text in renowned entomologist Richard “Bugman” Jones’s first book for children

Try to spot the Indian stick insect and see how its remarkable camouflage helps it evade predators. Admire the vibrant colors of the monarch butterfly and learn how its wings support an incredible migration. And take a closer look at the emperor dragonfly’s compound eyes to see how its vision helps it catch its next meal. Illustrated with stunning detail, this book is buzzing with the tiny creatures that make our world thrive. Buzz is sure to delight young insect lovers and 15 chapters on amazing bugs from around the world and the incredible ways they have adapted to survive. A guide on how and where to spot insects Expert insights from renowned entomologist Richard "Bugman" Jones, fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and of the Linnean Society of London Gorgeous artwork from bestselling illustrator Sara Boccaccini Meadows
Each chapter profiles an insect hero and then introduces readers to other insects who share that heroic trait.

Chapters include
The Hero of Beautiful the Picasso Shieldbug
The Hero of the Western Honeybee
The Hero of the Common Eastern Firefly
The Hero of the Swallowtail Butterfly
The Hero of Eccentric the Privet Hawk Moth Caterpillar
The Hero of the Indian Stick Insect
The Hero of the Monarch Butterfly
The Hero of the Emperor Dragonfly
The Hero of the Minotaur Beetle
The Hero of the Leafcutter Ant
The Hero of the Compass Termite
The Hero of the Field Grasshopper
The Hero of the Great Diving Beetle
The Hero of the the Praying Mantis
The Hero of Warning the Seven-Spotted Ladybug

Let your child’s curiosity run wild with this beautifully illustrated book of beetles, butterflies, bees, and more!

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64 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.! Full of gorgeous watercolor and gouache illustrations, this book is a great guide for kids who want to know about “bugs and bees and how to spot them”. Each page incorporates full-color pictures with call outs filled with information about the bugs, where they live, their contribution to ecosystems (Did you know that thistles are involved in cheese making and honeybees help thistle crops grow?) and just general facts. Each section is divided loosely by chapter headings that invoke the heroic nature of the bugs: “Hero of Beautiful Colors” and “Hero of Teamwork”. Each double page spread first introduces the bug, bee or beetle and then follows up with tidbits of information spread throughout the pages. The book’s oversized pages allow for thorough enjoyment of the detailed pictures, but will make it a little difficult to carry into the wild for insect identification. 

The final page has a glossary and suggestions for further reading, although they are only internet sources. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Erin Buhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gorgeous guide to insects of all kinds. Each section describes a different type of "hero" insect. From the Hero of Beautiful Colors (the Picasso Shieldbug) to the Hero of Warning Colors (the Seven-Spotted Ladybug) and a dozen other bugs in between, this nonfiction book offers loads of information about the nature world for little explorers. Each section offers basic information, vocabulary words, where to locate the insect, and information about the area of specialty.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice addition to the series. I hope for more!