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Les petits dégoûtants #9
The Cockroach
Hilarious illustrated non-fiction about cockroaches perfect for beginning readers. You'll bug out over this perfect pairing of humorous text and funny illustrations about this insect that's been around for over 335 million years!
Fast cockroach facts:
The Cockroach covers lifestyle (cockroaches prefer the dark and only come out during the day when their colonies get big enough), anatomy (cockroaches have wings but rarely fly), habitat (they prefer heat to cold), life cycle (a female can give birth to up to 350 babies during her lifetime) and much more. Although silly and off-the-wall, The Cockroach contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.
Fast cockroach facts:
The Cockroach covers lifestyle (cockroaches prefer the dark and only come out during the day when their colonies get big enough), anatomy (cockroaches have wings but rarely fly), habitat (they prefer heat to cold), life cycle (a female can give birth to up to 350 babies during her lifetime) and much more. Although silly and off-the-wall, The Cockroach contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published February 4, 2020
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 6, 2025
The Cockroach is my second read by Elise Gravel, a part of her extensive "Disgusting Critters" series. The disgusting insects she writes about are those only an entomologist could love. Many of the noninsect creatures are a little more acceptable and attractive.
I felt about The Cockroach the same way I felt about The Spider. Gravel follows a formula with these books, and it works for her. On the superficial level I'm finding these books are nice collectibles, pleasant to look at on a shelf. I'm happy The Spider now has some company.
The facts Gravel highlighted are intriguing, if not surprising to most adult readers. Cockroaches hate light. They're hard to get rid of because they're smart and learn to avoid traps. They're like the goats of the insect world: undiscerning when it comes to what they eat. What's never failed to awe me is how long they've existed on this planet. Cockroaches have been around for more than 300 million years.
Gravel's goal with her series is to portray each of her disgusting critters in a positive light, to generate appreciation and curiosity. With cute, digitally rendered illustrations and especially interesting facts, she succeeds there. I do wish she'd bulk up the content. The Cockroach is only 32 pages; The Spider is about the same. There's only so much to say about the creatures she highlights, but surely there's more than what she includes. With that said, her intended audience is very young, and the short length may be a wise choice.
NOTE: I received this as an Advance Reader Copy from LibraryThing in April 2020.
I felt about The Cockroach the same way I felt about The Spider. Gravel follows a formula with these books, and it works for her. On the superficial level I'm finding these books are nice collectibles, pleasant to look at on a shelf. I'm happy The Spider now has some company.
The facts Gravel highlighted are intriguing, if not surprising to most adult readers. Cockroaches hate light. They're hard to get rid of because they're smart and learn to avoid traps. They're like the goats of the insect world: undiscerning when it comes to what they eat. What's never failed to awe me is how long they've existed on this planet. Cockroaches have been around for more than 300 million years.
Gravel's goal with her series is to portray each of her disgusting critters in a positive light, to generate appreciation and curiosity. With cute, digitally rendered illustrations and especially interesting facts, she succeeds there. I do wish she'd bulk up the content. The Cockroach is only 32 pages; The Spider is about the same. There's only so much to say about the creatures she highlights, but surely there's more than what she includes. With that said, her intended audience is very young, and the short length may be a wise choice.
NOTE: I received this as an Advance Reader Copy from LibraryThing in April 2020.
July 16, 2022
I really hate cockroaches - REALLY HATE THEM! But this is a fun book filled with facts. It would be the perfect book to read for a book report; informative and entertaining. We all need to brush up on our 'roachology' so we can relate to our new masters when they take over the world (just kidding - I think).
November 27, 2019
This book, unlike
The Bat
from the same author, really does belong in this series called Disgusting Critters. Cockroaches? Ew! This book will teach you more than you ever wanted to know about these stinking, disease-carrying creatures.
In this book, we meet Diane the cockroach. Various facts (sprinkled with a dose of humour) are highlighted throughout the book by Gravel's delightfully simple illustrations. There's plenty to learn here... even if it's stuff you never really wanted to know. Cockroaches fart? Who knew?
I would definitely recommend this one to kids who are interested in bugs. It's a fun and fascinating look at a rather disgusting critter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books (NY) for providing a digital ARC.
In this book, we meet Diane the cockroach. Various facts (sprinkled with a dose of humour) are highlighted throughout the book by Gravel's delightfully simple illustrations. There's plenty to learn here... even if it's stuff you never really wanted to know. Cockroaches fart? Who knew?
I would definitely recommend this one to kids who are interested in bugs. It's a fun and fascinating look at a rather disgusting critter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books (NY) for providing a digital ARC.
November 19, 2019
Elise gravel style of writing, drawing and humor, all in a informative book about cockroach. This informative/funny book combo isn't one of my favorite, but that is only personal, Children will probably learn and laugh and I can,t go against that!
February 15, 2020
*Received for free from netgalley for honest review* Kinda weird but cute too? I still don't like cockroaches..... but i'll admit I did learn a lot about them haha
December 16, 2019
When we think of cockroaches it is usually because we want to get rid of them. But this is a cute picture book that gives you some facts about these amazing insects that will probably outlive us all. They first appeared on earth 300 million years ago.
Did you know that cockroaches can run up to 3 miles (or 5 K) an hour, which makes them the fastest running insects in the world?
Or that cockroaches can produce 16 babies in 24 hours. And that they will probably produce 100s in their lifetime.
Cute pictures, and fun book. Doesn't make you love them any more, but cool to read about them.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Did you know that cockroaches can run up to 3 miles (or 5 K) an hour, which makes them the fastest running insects in the world?
Or that cockroaches can produce 16 babies in 24 hours. And that they will probably produce 100s in their lifetime.
Cute pictures, and fun book. Doesn't make you love them any more, but cool to read about them.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
April 26, 2020
Cute, interesting and laugh-out-loud, I can imagine my grandson, when he was seven-eight, loving this book.
Questions asked and answered by the cockroach..How long is she around...about 300 million years!
How fast are they?...terrifyingly so!
What do they like to eat? -- everything
What do they look like?..flat and oval shaped!
Funny, interesting, and made for the younger crowed of children who love bugs!
Questions asked and answered by the cockroach..How long is she around...about 300 million years!
How fast are they?...terrifyingly so!
What do they like to eat? -- everything
What do they look like?..flat and oval shaped!
Funny, interesting, and made for the younger crowed of children who love bugs!
November 23, 2019
I received a copy of this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. Love all books by Elise Gravel especially these types of books about animals people might not like.
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December 25, 2024I ADORED THIS.
March 12, 2023
This added to my irrational fears list
November 25, 2019
I was completely grossed out by this one while also laughing. There are quite a few facts that even adults will find surprising. The illustrations and jokes are perfect. Highly recommended!
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
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February 19, 2020bu seri sayesinde Québec fransızcasındaki farklılıkları da görebiliyorum.
January 11, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Cockroach is a new nonfiction graphic art book aimed at younger readers in The Disgusting Critters series by Elise Gravel. Originally published in French in 2016, this English language translation is due out 4th Feb 2020 from Penguin Random House on their Tundra imprint, has 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The art is whimsical and appealing (see cover), and the text is fact based and scientifically accurate. The info included in the book covers preferred habitat, diet, reproduction, and different species and ranges. I liked that the book includes proper nomenclature for things such as eggcase (ootheca) and omnivore. If the terms aren't already familiar to young readers (or adults), they can be researched.
This would make a super choice for classroom/public library, homeschool library, or gift. Really cute and worthwhile subject for young readers. The graphic design and interactive dialogue would also lend itself quite easily to a bedtime read. My only quibble with the book is that it's apparently one of a series called (in English) 'Disgusting Critters' and while I do know that 'disgusting' is meant as an attractive choice of words for kids, it just sat wrong with me. Are there really any truly disgusting creatures? I wish they could've called the series Cool Critters, or Interesting Critters or something. I'm a middle aged science nerd, and I think even flatworms are cool, so I'm not really the target audience.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Cockroach is a new nonfiction graphic art book aimed at younger readers in The Disgusting Critters series by Elise Gravel. Originally published in French in 2016, this English language translation is due out 4th Feb 2020 from Penguin Random House on their Tundra imprint, has 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The art is whimsical and appealing (see cover), and the text is fact based and scientifically accurate. The info included in the book covers preferred habitat, diet, reproduction, and different species and ranges. I liked that the book includes proper nomenclature for things such as eggcase (ootheca) and omnivore. If the terms aren't already familiar to young readers (or adults), they can be researched.
This would make a super choice for classroom/public library, homeschool library, or gift. Really cute and worthwhile subject for young readers. The graphic design and interactive dialogue would also lend itself quite easily to a bedtime read. My only quibble with the book is that it's apparently one of a series called (in English) 'Disgusting Critters' and while I do know that 'disgusting' is meant as an attractive choice of words for kids, it just sat wrong with me. Are there really any truly disgusting creatures? I wish they could've called the series Cool Critters, or Interesting Critters or something. I'm a middle aged science nerd, and I think even flatworms are cool, so I'm not really the target audience.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
February 10, 2020
This sweet non-fiction book is just wonderful and very kid-friendly as is the whole series of "Disgusting Critters." Meet Diane, the cockroach, an adorable character even though she belongs to that dreaded species. Cockroaches are not the house guests you would desire because once they are inside it's extremely hard to get rid of them.
The talented author/ illustrator shines a light on the dreaded COCKROACH much to a cockroach's dismay because they hate light and emerge at night, in the dark, to do their dastardly deeds. They eat everything, deposit ghastly germs all around, can cause allergies and they produce stinky smells. Not quite the house guest you would desire to be under your roof or anywhere else inside your home.
The author gives fast, easy to understand, cockroach facts which are enriched by quirky, humourous asides by Diane. Giving her the ability to talk, and seeing her antics as she does, enables kids to remember the scientific information that the author doles out for the reader. It's quite ingenious and lots of fun!
The book talks about the lifestyle of the cockroach: physical traits, diet, running skills ( fastest among insects ), reproduction ability ( female can birth up to 350 babies during her lifetime), just to name a few.
I highly recommend this book as it both highly entertaining and is educational also. Kid's will love it! ( and adults too )
The talented author/ illustrator shines a light on the dreaded COCKROACH much to a cockroach's dismay because they hate light and emerge at night, in the dark, to do their dastardly deeds. They eat everything, deposit ghastly germs all around, can cause allergies and they produce stinky smells. Not quite the house guest you would desire to be under your roof or anywhere else inside your home.
The author gives fast, easy to understand, cockroach facts which are enriched by quirky, humourous asides by Diane. Giving her the ability to talk, and seeing her antics as she does, enables kids to remember the scientific information that the author doles out for the reader. It's quite ingenious and lots of fun!
The book talks about the lifestyle of the cockroach: physical traits, diet, running skills ( fastest among insects ), reproduction ability ( female can birth up to 350 babies during her lifetime), just to name a few.
I highly recommend this book as it both highly entertaining and is educational also. Kid's will love it! ( and adults too )
February 22, 2020
'The Cockroach' by Elise Gravel is a hilarious non-fiction book for young readers.
Just like in 'The Bat' we are introduced to a cartoon cockroach and we learn things about her. Things like distinctive traits and diet. What baby cockroaches look like and where to find them (and where to hopefully never find them).
I don't know that I gained any new appreciation for this species, but the book did make me smile as I read it. A younger version of myself into odd animals would have probably loved this book. The illustrations are fun.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Just like in 'The Bat' we are introduced to a cartoon cockroach and we learn things about her. Things like distinctive traits and diet. What baby cockroaches look like and where to find them (and where to hopefully never find them).
I don't know that I gained any new appreciation for this species, but the book did make me smile as I read it. A younger version of myself into odd animals would have probably loved this book. The illustrations are fun.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
April 22, 2020
This book series is very funny and we love reading about the latest disgusting critter. I always learn something new, though much of the information here was “common knowledge”. I doubt my four year old knew any of it. There were parts where I read the page to her and had “aha, so that’s why...” moments. Anyway, she read it twice right away and then went through the whole book squishing the roaches. Our suggestions for future books in this series: fleas, earwigs, bedbugs, centipedes, vultures, blobfish, skunks, leeches, tapeworms, the parasite fish that eats the host’s tongue, and that butcher bird (something about a cute little songbird impaling other birds on spikes is just ick). If they branch out to plants, that one that smells like rotting meat.
August 10, 2021
The Cockroach: Disgusting Critters by Elise Gravel is a cutesy science fact book done in a picture book style. It is brief, thankfully.
I prefer the kind of science books I give my kids to have a little more substance to them. This book is directed at early readers, but I’d honestly rather either give my kids a more fun book to read themselves, or plow through something with more to it along with them. If you’ve got a kid who will read a book of facts for fun, you can load em up with a lot more content. For kids who aren’t into that, this isn’t going to be my first choice. However, I will say the price point is about right.
Not recommended.
I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program.
I prefer the kind of science books I give my kids to have a little more substance to them. This book is directed at early readers, but I’d honestly rather either give my kids a more fun book to read themselves, or plow through something with more to it along with them. If you’ve got a kid who will read a book of facts for fun, you can load em up with a lot more content. For kids who aren’t into that, this isn’t going to be my first choice. However, I will say the price point is about right.
Not recommended.
I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program.
February 19, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my review.
This was a cute nonfiction book about cockroaches. I liked how the author gave quick and easy to read facts throughout the story. Many students would enjoy this book and have an easy time understanding the information. The illustrations were very cute and brought personality to the cockroaches. This would be a great book at add to your elementary collection.
This was a cute nonfiction book about cockroaches. I liked how the author gave quick and easy to read facts throughout the story. Many students would enjoy this book and have an easy time understanding the information. The illustrations were very cute and brought personality to the cockroaches. This would be a great book at add to your elementary collection.
March 18, 2020
I absolutely loved this book along with The Bat! I will be adding both of these titles to my classroom library (along with whatever other book that Elise Gravel has that is similar). This is the type of book my students love to read. They crave nonfiction information and who could not love learning about bugs!? I love the illustrations and the comments from the cockroach throughout the story. So fun!
July 17, 2020
A good example of sacrifices we make as parents. A whole book about cockroaches is my nightmare, but we read it because my kid loves weird animals and gross bugs, so this series of "disgusting critters" is right up his alley. I definitely got the heebie jeebies a few times as I leaned WAY more about this bug than I'd care to. But thankfully the author made the illustrations relatively cute so it made the experience manageable.
December 5, 2019
Nice informational book about cockroaches. Told in a humorous fashion kids will enjoy. Illustrations are nice....but the whole works still gives me goosebumps! I've never had roaches, but have worked at places that do. I can attest to how difficult it is to get rid of them. Just plain icky.... Yuck! Book is solid.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
December 20, 2019
I was given the book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
These books are so much fun, but the cockroach was almost too gross for me. I like the sense of understanding that these books give for even the most undesirable life forms.
A must read!
These books are so much fun, but the cockroach was almost too gross for me. I like the sense of understanding that these books give for even the most undesirable life forms.
A must read!
September 8, 2020
I thought this would be a fun kids book about cockroaches but instead it was gross and unenjoyable. The information was cool about cockroaches but elise did not have to use the word idiot in a childrens book.
September 16, 2022
I love this series of Disgusting Creatures. Elise Gravel's art is so darling I am enamored by even the cockroach. All the facts provide tension between feeling drawn to the cockroach and being reviled by it. Lots of cockroachie facts!
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February 13, 2020Ewww. To be honest, I'm surprised I read this book.
February 23, 2020
Great series. Doesn’t make roaches as charming as some of the other bugs in the series. :-) Still well done!
March 26, 2020
Another creature that creeps me out and gives me the willies. But Elise Gravel does a great GREAT job telling about these creatures!
September 14, 2020
Another Hilarious title in this series. My 5 year old is going to like this one. It doesn't read like a dry non-fiction book. Super-engaging.
February 17, 2021
Creepy but informative
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews