Hey There, Stink Bug!

by Leslie Bulion, Leslie Evans (Illustrator)

A swarm of insects introduces readers to the joy of poetry. Witty poems describe how insects capture prey, trick predators, attract mates, and have managed to survive for 400 million years. Scientifically accurate information further explains bug behavior. Eye-catching linoleum-cut illustrations practically crawl across the pages.

Includes notes that explain 19 poetic forms and stylistic techniques plus a glossary of entomological terms.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

March 1, 2015 (Peachtree)

Funnny and challenging anatomy riddles in a variety of poetic forms with a hint of Shakespeare!
www.lesliebulion.com

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fooled by the Lights
Don't try to warn that firefly dude.
He's all FLASH FLASH when he flies.
A beetle with lightning-bug attitude
who could meet a nasty surprise.

He'll fly and he'll FLASH and he'll wait for an answer-
a FLASH gal who's happy to meet him.
But a sly FLASH imposter could fool that romancer
and up close she's likely to eat him!

FLASH FLASH chomp chomp BURRRP!

This is information in poetic style about a firefly and this book is full of information about all sorts of bugs. I think it's a good idea as it is very informative and educative to kids about bugs but the rhyming isn't easy to remember.

3 stars

[Myka Ellenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: 3-5
I actually enjoyed this book a lot. I was not sure that I would because I am not the biggest fan of bugs. After the poem about a specific bug there are some facts about that bug. The different poems are written in different styles and shapes to represent the different bugs. I would recommend this book to a lot of young readers.

[Julianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poetry book about bugs

Things that work really well:
1. Wide range of poetry
2. Nonfiction + poetry!!
3. Informed glossary and explanations about each poem

Things that aren’t so great
1. Vocab is really intense
2. Random collection of bugs unsure if kids who aren’t crazy into bugs will be into this collection.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I would have enjoyed this one as a kid. The bug-themed poems are a lot of fun and the fact sections contain info that will surprise and educate readers of all ages. I wasn't a huge fan of the very of-its-era presentation, with the once-cool-now-just-dated typefaces, etc.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy crawlies introduced through poetry? A winning combination! Lots of information packed into this lovely book!

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy. This truly felt like work. It took me two days to force my way through this. I guess I just don't like "poetry."

Such a shame because there were some interesting bits in this book.

[Brandi Fox]

A cute combination of bug poems and facts. Perfect for my bug loving boy

[Sarah Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was a great informational texts for students in 3rd - 5th grade. The book gives accurate information about bugs in a creative way. Each bug is described using a different poem. Some of the bugs the book discusses include bombardier beetles, yellow jackets, and termites.

The book is a little content vocabulary heavy, but the back of the book has a very helpful glossary for students to better understand tough words. Some of the words included are, elytra, entomology, and parasitic.

Out to the side from the poems, there is non poetic writing to go into more detail about the bug being described. This also helps readers use more context clues to dissect tough vocabulary.

Another cool feature about this book is the various poems used to describe the different bugs. Behind the glossary, another helpful tool is the list of poems used. Underneath each name of the poem is a description of the characteristics of that particular poem. For example, under the poem "ballad" the author explains a ballad has four lined stanzas where "the first and third lines have four beats, the second and fourth lines have three beats and rhyme".

This would be a great book to use for a science project. Students could pick a bug from the book and do more research on it to find out more details not described in the poem. The back of the book also has a list of good kid - friendly resources to use when doing research.

This text could also be used for a poetry unit. Students could pick one of the poems in the book and using the helpful information in the back, write their own poem about a different bug, or about an animal or anything else science related. This book opens a lot of doors for interdisciplinary learning.

[Stephanie Denison · Rating 3 out of 5]

While we both loved Bugs by David L. Harrison Bugs, this one neither of really enjoyed very much. The poetry was not so very good, but the information after that the poetry was about was interesting. I think we were both disappointed, but she did go to sleep. Bonus for a bedtime book!

[Leyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

We took like forever to read this book, not because it wasn't good, but because of the type of information. We read it like a chapter book so we could grasp the information and "taste" it. I particularly enjoyed the rhyming touches, made the journey funnny for a five-year-old.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learn so much from reading J non-fic. This one was informative (with side notes describing the insects from each poem) and fun to read.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great instruction on poetic forms while enjoying fun prose about bugs. Recommended for kids 1st - 6th grade.

[Marilyn]

Good poems and excellent information about insects and arachnids captured my attention and imagination.

[Kiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was such a nice and informative book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully well-written and amusing bug-poem collection.

[pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

poems and explanations about bugs including the bombardier beetle, and all kinds of flies