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Insect Superpowers: 18 Real Bugs that Smash, Zap, Hypnotize, Sting, and Devour!
Insect Superpowers is an action-packed nonfiction picture book about the incredible insect abilities found in the natural world. Packaged comic book style, this book explores 18 awesomely real superheroes and supervillains, who each possess powers far beyond the average insect.
Meet the Malevolent Mimic, who wickedly disguises itself as a harmless pink orchid only to shred unsuspecting butterflies, or the Great Glue Shooter, who can blast a smelly glue from its face.
• Presents insects as superheroes and supervillains who excel in head-to-head combat, astounding weapons, and extraordinary skills
• All facts are equally real and amazing
• Written by award-winning nonfiction author Kate Messner
Insect Superpowers is the perfect pick for young entomologists, reluctant readers, and any kid who has ever been equally grossed out and fascinated by a bug.
This thrilling look at insects will entertain and educate readers ages 8 to 12 years old, as well as the adults that read with them.
• A wonderful gift for teachers, librarians, and Common Core educators who are looking to teach about insects in a fresh and exciting way
• Perfect for parents and caregivers of science, nature, and bug-obsessed kids
• Great for fans of comic books, superheroes, and graphic novels, as well as reads like Bugs A to Z by Caroline Lawton, Ultimate The Most Complete Bug Reference Ever by Darlyne Murawski and Nancy Honovich, and Atlas of Animal Adventures by Rachel Williams and Emily Hawkins
Meet the Malevolent Mimic, who wickedly disguises itself as a harmless pink orchid only to shred unsuspecting butterflies, or the Great Glue Shooter, who can blast a smelly glue from its face.
• Presents insects as superheroes and supervillains who excel in head-to-head combat, astounding weapons, and extraordinary skills
• All facts are equally real and amazing
• Written by award-winning nonfiction author Kate Messner
Insect Superpowers is the perfect pick for young entomologists, reluctant readers, and any kid who has ever been equally grossed out and fascinated by a bug.
This thrilling look at insects will entertain and educate readers ages 8 to 12 years old, as well as the adults that read with them.
• A wonderful gift for teachers, librarians, and Common Core educators who are looking to teach about insects in a fresh and exciting way
• Perfect for parents and caregivers of science, nature, and bug-obsessed kids
• Great for fans of comic books, superheroes, and graphic novels, as well as reads like Bugs A to Z by Caroline Lawton, Ultimate The Most Complete Bug Reference Ever by Darlyne Murawski and Nancy Honovich, and Atlas of Animal Adventures by Rachel Williams and Emily Hawkins
88 pages, Hardcover
Published November 5, 2019
4 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Kate Messner
125 books1,668 followersKate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Read
August 24, 2025saw this at the library and remembered kate messner literally came to my elementary school in like 2012. cute book with many fun facts. nature is crazy. why is that beetle so big
November 17, 2019
Amazing insects finally grab a spot in a comic-like superhero setting, showing off their natural abilities with action-packed flair, which amazingly, sits perfectly in fact and reality.
The cover already sets the tone—this book is set up like an action comic but lets insects for real life take the lead role. Eighteen various insects are presented with basic facts surrounding not only their anatomy and environment, but especially those aspects which set them apart and make the 'super'. It's non-fiction and science set in the excitement only comic books can give.
I can't imagine readers won't enjoy picking up this book. Not only are insects interesting and maybe, a bit creepy, but this books screams fun in facts. The illustrations keep the bug rather true to life (in comic style), allow the factual settings and situations to remain solid, and shove in a bit of active fun. Phrases like Bzooommm! and Crunch! add excitement and a great amount of humor. The text offers everything from the scientific name to average size and diet to habitat and special facts. It is information pure.
The 'super' side of these insects is also explained in easy to understand details, while creating an atmosphere of awe, adventure and fun. It is not a dry read, but bounces with energy and promises that even more reluctant readers won't feel overwhelmed or bored. I can imagine young readers picking this one up without being coaxed by adults and enjoying every page.
I received a complimentary copy and was very impressed at how well the facts tie into a comic setting. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
The cover already sets the tone—this book is set up like an action comic but lets insects for real life take the lead role. Eighteen various insects are presented with basic facts surrounding not only their anatomy and environment, but especially those aspects which set them apart and make the 'super'. It's non-fiction and science set in the excitement only comic books can give.
I can't imagine readers won't enjoy picking up this book. Not only are insects interesting and maybe, a bit creepy, but this books screams fun in facts. The illustrations keep the bug rather true to life (in comic style), allow the factual settings and situations to remain solid, and shove in a bit of active fun. Phrases like Bzooommm! and Crunch! add excitement and a great amount of humor. The text offers everything from the scientific name to average size and diet to habitat and special facts. It is information pure.
The 'super' side of these insects is also explained in easy to understand details, while creating an atmosphere of awe, adventure and fun. It is not a dry read, but bounces with energy and promises that even more reluctant readers won't feel overwhelmed or bored. I can imagine young readers picking this one up without being coaxed by adults and enjoying every page.
I received a complimentary copy and was very impressed at how well the facts tie into a comic setting. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
November 22, 2019
@chroniclebooks #partner
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Insect Superpowers 🦗
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Huge hit with my insect loving sons! There are a TON of interesting facts! The illustrations and bold words JUMP out of the pages. Each page keeps the reader excited! My second grader loves the way it is written. He commented, ‘There are words all over the pages and in boxes like a comic. It is so much more fun to read this way!!’ Swipe to check it out.
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If you love crazy facts about insects this one is for YOU! 🐝. This would be a great gift with some insect toys or bug collecting kits.
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Insect Superpowers 🦗
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Huge hit with my insect loving sons! There are a TON of interesting facts! The illustrations and bold words JUMP out of the pages. Each page keeps the reader excited! My second grader loves the way it is written. He commented, ‘There are words all over the pages and in boxes like a comic. It is so much more fun to read this way!!’ Swipe to check it out.
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If you love crazy facts about insects this one is for YOU! 🐝. This would be a great gift with some insect toys or bug collecting kits.
March 21, 2021
The book begins with a gorgeous illustration of the insect family tree and then divides into chapters based on fast and furious, great imposters, big and tough, chemical weaponry, engineers and architects, and amazing ants. Each insect gets one or two spreads with colorful and greatly enlarged illustrations, boxed fun facts, and consistent information about favorite foods, allies, and enemies. Lots and lots of onomatopoeia and action panels make reading come alive. You've got to love bugs and all their quirks and creepiness, but if you do, this is a book you will return to time and again.
December 14, 2019
In nine days, the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, will be marked on calendars in the northern hemisphere. We've had more than six inches of snow blanket the ground in the last 48 hours with more currently falling. Below normal temperatures for several days this week and high winds formed sizable drifts. At night animals are on the move as evidenced by their tracks and trails left in the snow, but there is a huge population of critters not visible this time of year.
Some of them are downright pesky and not missed at all, even though we know they are essential in the chain of life. Others as evidenced by Insect Superpowers: 18 real bugs that smash, zap, hypnotize, sting, and devour! (Chronicle Books, November 5, 2019) written by Kate Messner with illustrations by Jillian Nickell are not only vital but display capabilities similar to champions of comics. Their skills are astounding.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Some of them are downright pesky and not missed at all, even though we know they are essential in the chain of life. Others as evidenced by Insect Superpowers: 18 real bugs that smash, zap, hypnotize, sting, and devour! (Chronicle Books, November 5, 2019) written by Kate Messner with illustrations by Jillian Nickell are not only vital but display capabilities similar to champions of comics. Their skills are astounding.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
March 30, 2020
Messner celebrates 18 insects' "superpowers" using large, informative comic-book style sequences and large-print exclamations. Sidebars and inserts include each insect's common and scientific name and other information such as physical features, secret hideout, superpower, favorite food, allies, and archenemy.
June 18, 2020
This book will bug you. It may creep you out or it will excite your curiosity or maybe a little bit of both.
In superhero comic book style,, 18 fascinating insects and their superpowers are explored.
In superhero comic book style,, 18 fascinating insects and their superpowers are explored.
January 4, 2021
3.75 This book was gross, and cool! The comic book aspect will be fun for kids, but for me it hurt my eyes with the yellow background with the black dot background,
This is different from other insect books because these bugs have superpowers! It was fun none the last!
This is different from other insect books because these bugs have superpowers! It was fun none the last!
February 3, 2022
I LOVE this book! The graphic style of this book catches you- just like the subjects of this book. Great facts that will not only wow snd engage, but help kids learn about species that get overlooked compared to their furry, scaling, and cuddling animal counterparts.
Read
March 19, 2023I LOVE a good set of weird science facts, and this one really delivers! From the lubber grasshopper's vomiting powers to the "machine-gun-butt" African bombardier beetle, there are a ton of fascinating facts that kids are sure to either love or be extremely grossed-out by. Definitely a winner!
September 3, 2019
Even in comic book form, these bugs are creepy.
September 25, 2019
This feels a bit frenetic but it is a fun concept that I think kids will enjoy.
March 18, 2020
Slurp! Smack! Crunch! Give this comic-book-style overview of 18 real insects from around the world to your young reader to find real-life super villains.
November 24, 2020
Love the way the information is presented the graphic format captures action, lots of great information.
November 24, 2020
I think I give it a 3.7
It was interesting and a little boring at the same time. The pictures were really well done.
It was interesting and a little boring at the same time. The pictures were really well done.
Want to read
November 29, 2020Note: I received a signed finished copy of this book at ALA Midwinter 2020.
March 23, 2021
Interesting facts about bugs in a comic book format makes this one extra engaging. Sometimes the panels fell a little flat, but great book overall.
May 25, 2021
Impressive how interesting they make bugs to be! Lol. Using superhero-like graphics and comparisons, it kept my attention and interest! Shocking since I normally dont care a thing about bugs! 🤣
June 9, 2021
The comic strip/graphic novel format is PERFECT for this topic! So colorful and engaging - I couldn’t put it down!
December 26, 2022
Got this as a Hanukkah gift from my twin. Really creative concept, great illustrations, and fun bug facts. A fantastic way to learn about insects.
September 23, 2023
Great book about insects for elementary or middle school. Lots of great facts in a fun engaging format.
February 1, 2021
What a unique book that combines comics and nonfiction! I loved learning new things about creepy bugs while also being entertained through the comic format. My 7 year old really loved it and I know my 6th graders will be drawn to the unique format and pops of color.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews