Insect Superpowers: 18 Powerful Bugs That Smash, Zap, Hypnotize, Sting, and Devour!

by Kate Messner, Jillian Nickell (Illustrator)

Head-to-head combat! Astounding weapons! Extraordinary skills! Within the pages of this book, 18 awesomely real superheroes and supervillains come to life, each possessing 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 shoot a smelly glue—from its face! Award-winning nonfiction author Kate Messner teams up with the talented Jillian Nickell in this action-packed exploration of the incredible insect abilities found in the natural world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Childrens, Picture Books, Science, Nature

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2019

About the author

KATE MESSNER is the New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books for young readers. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Snow,The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story, and Axolotl-Ella; novels like All the Answers, The Trouble with Heroes, and Keep the Ghost Light On; graphic novels like Camp Monster; and the Ranger in Time and Wildlife Rescue chapter books. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class series.

Kate's titles have been honored with the American Booksellers Association Indies Choice Award, the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, the NAIBA Book of the Year Award, SCBWI's Golden Kite and Crystal Kite Awards and many state book awards. She's a frequent speaker at conferences, schools, and libraries around the world.

When she's not traveling, Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family and spends her free time hiking, kayaking, and listening to way too many Broadway cast recordings.

Reviews

[Shruthika]

saw 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

[Tonja Drecker]

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.

[Lauren- The Smile Lines]

@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.

[Darlene Ivy]

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.

[Margaret]

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/...

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens]

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.

[Sarah]

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.

[Alice]

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!

[Michelle Boquist]

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.

[Susan]

I 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!

[Lisa Day]

Even in comic book form, these bugs are creepy.

[Lynn]

This feels a bit frenetic but it is a fun concept that I think kids will enjoy.

[Kathy]

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.

[Rachel]

Love the way the information is presented the graphic format captures action, lots of great information.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda)]

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.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a signed finished copy of this book at ALA Midwinter 2020.

[Natalie Tate]

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.

[Beth]

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! 🤣

[Jessica]

The comic strip/graphic novel format is PERFECT for this topic! So colorful and engaging - I couldn’t put it down!

[Dan]

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.

[Anne]

Great book about insects for elementary or middle school. Lots of great facts in a fun engaging format.

[Alexis]

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.