Bugs from Head to Tail

by Stacey Roderick, Kwanchai Moriya (Illustrator)

In the latest addition to the popular Head to Tail series, author Stacey Roderick focuses on bugs --- a kid favorite! --- and challenges readers to guess which bug each of eight different body parts belongs to. A full spread asks a question about a body part, What bug has eyes like this?? with an illustrated close-up of that part. The following spread provides the answer to the question, A grasshopper!? along with a full illustration of the creature in its habitat and a paragraph of text about the highlighted body part, in this case the grasshopper's eyes. Children learn about the bugs' habitats, diets, behaviors and standout skills. There's even a trick question: What bug has a tail like this?? The answer is None. Bugs don't have tails!

The interactive guessing-game of the text --- with just the right amount of repetition --- makes this an ideal choice for reading aloud. The bright, eye-catching cut-paper collage illustrations by Kwanchai Moriya have a playful charm and invite young children to study the details up close. Besides the eight featured bugs, there is an additional spread that includes seven other bugs and their unusual body parts, as well as text that explores which animals are categorized as bugs, or arthropods.? This nonfiction book has direct applications to the life science curriculum in the early grades, which covers the physical characteristics and habitats of living things.

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

36 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read, but this time for my daughter. I like the sharp colors for my little one. She likes it.

—//////———
My Experience: I started reading Bugs from Head to Tail on 7/13/17 as a bedtime story for my 5 year-old son and we finished it that same night. This book is super duper awesome! I love the ability to participate during the read. My son was excited and his attention was all into this book. We had a blast guessing what the bug will be and I must admit that there were many I could not guess. The illustration is amazing! I love the facts about each bug and many facts truly surprised me!

This book is obviously about bugs! One page will have a close up picture of the head or body or tail of a bug and the reader is to guess what bug it is. The next page will reveal the answer and fun facts about the bug. The illustration of each bug is located at its habitat. Children will get a glimpse of what each bug eats, where it sleeps, and what differentiate them from other bugs. There are 8 different bugs to play the guessing game with in this book. At the end of the book, there will be 7 additional name of bugs and quick facts about each of them for readers to know.

This book is fantastic for kids! It is very well written, illustrated, and organized. I love the writing because it’s presented with the true scientific vocabularies so that kids can learn the educated terms. I love that there are definitions to these scientific terms as we read, such as predators where an animal eats another animal for food and exoskeleton where the animals’ skeleton is outside its body. Given these scientific terms, the reading is still interesting because the facts will make you want to read it a second time. I love the dragonfly shocker! my son was definitely amazed by that unexpected fact! This book is definitely a great learning tool for kids and I highly recommend everyone to read it.

Pro: Book Cover, Illustrations, Insects/Bugs, Non-Fiction, facts about bugs, interactive – kids participation, definitions

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for a detailed review

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a totally beautiful book, and I don't even really like the look of insects and arachnids, though I do appreciate their role in the world. The information in the book is great, too, and this would be a great starting book for the young, budding entomologist.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book about bugs! This book engages young readers in a guessing game. Eight different bugs are introduced using a closeup of one particular body part. When you turn the page, there is a full two-page spread with the full bug shown and text describing about it's characteristics such as what it eats, protection, how it moves etc. These explanation provide facts that are sure to encourage further interest in the bugs. Some of the bugs are the common ones you would think of such as "the ladybug" and others are unique ones such as "the rhinoceros beetle". The illustrations were amazing. They were done with cut paper, layered and textured. This gave the bugs an almost 3-D look. At the end of the book there were another seven bugs introduced who have unique body parts as well as a quick description of what is included in the bug group they are referring to in this book. A great book for primary classrooms introducing animals, particularly bugs and insects. A wonderful addition to any school, public or classroom library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Mr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words are for older kids but really liked to guess which bugs and look at the pics

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the newest addition to the amazing "Head to Tail" series for kids. I love the whole concept of this book. Kid's will visually and textually meet bugs and learn about their habitats, environments, diets, characteristics and oddities.

The bugs are introduced in an interactive way. The author gets the young reader to engage by guessing just what bug that may be. She then extrapolates in further detail all about that bug once it is identified. Questions are asked to pull the reader in and are answered in an educational way, making this book a winner on many levels. This is a perfect book to read aloud. It also is a spot-on book to use in a classroom or borrow from a school library for a child doing his/her first project on bugs.

The conspicuous illustrations are vibrant, colourful paper collage. How fun is that? They work beautifully with the text. Eight bugs are highlighted and at the end of the book seven other bugs and their unusual body parts are included to evoke further interest into the amazing world of insects.

This non-fiction book gives precisely the correct amount of information for that age level. The questions posed to the reader garner excitement and accelerate curiosities. They invite kids to turn the pages and learn all about that particular bug. I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers are asked to guess which bug is shown based on just one zoomed in illustration of a body part. The next spread will tell them the name of the bug, some more information about the body part emphasized, and that bug in general. The back of the book clarifies the different types of bugs, or arthropods, that are highlighted in this book and shows a few more bugs with unique body parts.

There are lots of books on bugs out there for kids. This one distinguishes itself with the guessing game aspect and the eye-catching collage illustrations. The former science teacher in me was very happy that they clarified their definition of what they meant by bugs in the back since insects, a spider, and a millipede are included. If you’re looking for a nonfiction book that requires some interaction or an introduction to bugs for a child that focuses on basic bug body parts, this is a good option. Also check it out for the stunning collage illustrations. I’m not sure if we’ll purchase this for our elementary school library since we already have a decent number of bug books for the target age group.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristen Holland Shear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bugs from Head to Tail is a beautifully designed introductory picture book for young elementary-aged kids.

The book asks readers to look at a zoomed in drawing of a body part and guess which bug it belongs to. Some are simple - such as the ladybug - while others are quite challenging and may be unfamiliar to young children. The following spread includes the name of the bug, some information about the highlighted body part, and the bug in general. The text is a bit long, so I ended up paraphrasing some of the entries.

The book focuses on arthropods - a point that's not clarified until the back of the book. The back of the book also provides a few more examples of other bugs with unique body parts.

I've read lots of bug books for kids, but this one has the most eye-catching illustrations and is good option if you're looking for a nonfiction introduction to bugs. The pictures alone will delight young readers and adults alike and most people will be hard pressed to complete the book without learning something new about bugs.

(I reviewed this book for the Northrich Elementary School Library. My lovely children were involved in the process.)

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roderick, Stacey Bugs from Head to Tail, illustrated by Kwanchai Moriya. PICTURE BOOK/ NON-FICTION Kids Can Press, 2017. $17. Content: G.

Eight different bugs are covered in this bug book, including rhinoceros beetle, luna moth, grasshopper, ladybug. monarch butterfly, tarantula, millipede and a dragonfly. One page spread asks a question about a bug body part, and asks if you can guess what kind of bug it is. Then when you turn the page there is an illustration of the bug and a paragraph explaining something interesting about the bug.

The illustrations are bright and appealing and facts are fun and unique. My boys enjoyed this book as there was creepy bugs and cool facts. There is a two page spread at the end that shows a few more interesting bugs and facts as well.

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun look at bugs! Eight different bugs are introduced--first, a with a two-page close-up of a body part, asking the reader to guess what bug it is, then with another two-page spread, revealing the bug and talking a bit about it's unique characteristics. Definitions of new words are nicely interwoven into the text, and the explanation provides many facts that are sure to jump-start imaginations and encourage further interest in the bugs. The illustrations were very bold--I loved the cut-paper look that was used for all the scenes. The layers and textures made each part of the illustration pop.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!

(Cross posted on my blog.)

[Esutterlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always enjoy books that start out with a closeup "detail" inset view of an animal, then ask a question that leads to the full body image on the next page. Children are encouraged to guess, to turn the page, and to learn about the animals shown.
This insect book is illustrated with direct views of the animals combining original photographs and textures with Photoshop. Animals are shown in oversimplified full body mode with only a hint of their settings/environment. I think it is intriguing, but the typeset and use of periods can lead to a little confusion for new readers, yet the animal facts are not detailed enough for advanced readers.
I will probably use more for the images and guessing than to share the full text, except possibly as a filler book or excerpts in an insect storytime for 1st or 2nd grade class visit.

[Nicole Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Every other page in this book asks a question. For example, " What bug has a head like this?" and it shows a portion of the bugs head at the child has to guess it. This book is very interactive and fun. Children have to predict what bug they think it is. After the question it gives the answer of what bug it is and some facets about the bug. Some of the bugs that a child gets to learn about is rhinoceros beetle, luna moth, grass hopper, lady bug, monarch butterfly, tarantula, millipede, and a dragonfly. This children's book is great to teach a child about different kinds of bugs and what they look like.

[Jennifer Margeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bugs From Head to Tail, by Stacey Roderick, is a clearly written and beautifully illustrated book, perfect for young learners. There are clearly stated facts about each animal, and the author carefully uses and explains scientific terms in language appropriate for children. Generally I prefer nonfiction books to use photographs instead of illustrations, but the detail and use of dimension and texture quickly changed my opinion - I think the juxtaposed use of close up and wide angle illustrations add to the book. I would use this book with my preschool science classes when I teach my Bugs unit.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the opportunity to preview this book!

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This introduction to bugs does everything right. Lots of white space dramatizes the oversized body part of an insect on every other two-page spread along with a question, “What bug has a … like this?” Among others, body parts include a Monarch butterfly wing, tarantula hair, millipede leg, and luna moth antennae. When readers flip the page, they see the complete insect displayed in its habitat and described with a paragraph of well-chosen facts. Although aimed at a young crowd, it doesn’t talk down to them. When words such as abdomen, toxins, and predators are introduced, the definitions are thoughtfully provided, embedded in the text and illustrations.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.

You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date. And on instagram.com/bookfairyuk

A fun and beautifully illustrated book for young readers. To learn all about bugs. At first the child had to guess the bug from the close up picture and then on the next two pages it outlines the bug in details. There is also definitions of new words which is lovely. A great book.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Head to Tail book. What I love about this book is it really gets the young reader involved. First they have to guess, great for Librarians and Teachers to read out loud. Secondly they get the info. Text is large and simple and illustrations are realistically cute. The bugs may be harder to figure out than the Dinosaur book, because children really know their dinosaurs! But most of the common bugs will be easy to spot.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine addition to the "Head to Tail" series, this one introduces different parts of the body for bugs. Starting with the head, readers are to guess what the insect is; the following two-page spread shows the insect in its entirety in its environment.

Cut paper collage by Kwanchai Moriya is bright, colorful and stunning. One might compare them to those of Steve Jenkins. Both are beautiful!

For grades PreS-3.

[SaraKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute! I love the illustrations and the information. This will be a great addition to my classroom library and I will enjoy using this to introduce adaptations or as a station activity during that unit. I saw this book in a display at my library and grabbed it because I loved the cover art and bugs. It has a very helpful illustration of lady bugs and my district always has ladybugs on a dichotomous key on a benchmark test, so this will help them see the two different pairs of wings.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned new things with this one! I liked this illustration style, and love the Q&A set-up of the book. As a storytime read, that made it very interactive, with the kids identifying each bug, then learning a little about each one as we turned the page. I used it in a storytime on bugs, but could also be a good STEM storytime read with a little older crowd too. Only thing I might ask for was a little more reference/further reading information at the end of the book.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Love this new Stacey Roderick book about insects. Each page starts as a guessing game. "What kind of insect has this kind of head"? You have an opportunity to guess and when you turn the page the answer is there with information about that insect. Great fun, great illustrations, and information in an exciting way.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has amazing illustrations in a fun guessing game book about bugs. There are other books by the same author/illustrator combination about dinosaurs and ocean animals that can all go together with some Steve Jenkins books for very entertaining non fiction reading.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cool story that shows a close up of a bug and then what bug the body part belongs to. Most of the body parts are obvious so it would be better for younger children. Would make a great storytime book for a bug theme.

[Rachel Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informational book about bugs. I like how it has a page with one question on it, like "what bug has antennae like this?" It makes it a scavenger hunt. This would be good for any grade. Published in 2017.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nonfiction book filled with facts about bugs. Loved the guessing format.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much like Steve Jenkins' work!
Too much text for a young audience.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! The illustrations are vibrant & eye-catching and the writing is simplistic enough so that early readers can grasp it. Recommended for ages 3 - 7.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guess the animal book and lots of good factual information.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Head to Tail series, although it would still be good to include some end matter.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to use this one as a mentor text when we study informational writing.

[Doreen Ashbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grand-daughter loved this book.

[Teri Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought that Bugs from head to tail was a very educational book for my 4 year old granddaughter. The family even learned a lot about bugs we did not know as we taught Olivia.