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About... A Guide for Children
About Insects: A Guide for Children
A beginner’s guide to the world of fish explains the basic characteristics that all fish share, while offering a look into the wide variety of animals that fall into this diverse category.
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
37 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Sill
55 books12 followersCathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.
When she was an elementary school teacher who loves nature. When she had trouble finding good natural history books for her kindergarten class, she decided to write them.
With her husband John as the illustrator, she has created two series of nonfiction books for children.
The ABOUT series is about different groups of animals and includes 16 books. She has just completed the eighth books in a series about habitats.
When she was an elementary school teacher who loves nature. When she had trouble finding good natural history books for her kindergarten class, she decided to write them.
With her husband John as the illustrator, she has created two series of nonfiction books for children.
The ABOUT series is about different groups of animals and includes 16 books. She has just completed the eighth books in a series about habitats.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 19, 2015
Clear information. Short sentences. No text feature -- would benefit from labels and diagrams on the illustrations, to point out the different body parts the text is describing.
January 21, 2018
I love these "About..." books for children. The style, to me, makes them so completely usable with children of different ages. The surface story, holds very little text and just pictures. The text is easy to read, making this book accessible to be read to small children, for beginning readers to read on their own, or to just be enjoyed quickly, time and time again.
But then in the back are three pages with a lot more detail for every single one of the pages in the book. This detail takes you deeper, talking about the kinds of insects featured on the pages, some interesting facts about these insects or insects in general, which now makes this a teaching tool you can use with older children, and something that you can use to introduce a deeper unit when teaching your children yourself.
Overall, this is a great series, and this book delivers exactly what it's supposed to. While I like the illustrations, sometimes they're a little bit dull, so hence my four stars, but overall, I still find these a great addition to my homeschooling curriculum.
But then in the back are three pages with a lot more detail for every single one of the pages in the book. This detail takes you deeper, talking about the kinds of insects featured on the pages, some interesting facts about these insects or insects in general, which now makes this a teaching tool you can use with older children, and something that you can use to introduce a deeper unit when teaching your children yourself.
Overall, this is a great series, and this book delivers exactly what it's supposed to. While I like the illustrations, sometimes they're a little bit dull, so hence my four stars, but overall, I still find these a great addition to my homeschooling curriculum.
June 30, 2023
This is a nice and very simple introduction to insects. I'm fairly sure I've liked every Sill book that I've read, they're beautifully illustrated and the perfect length to use in storytimes for toddlers but could be used up through elementary school.
Each page spread has a short sentence and the name(s) of the insects found in the illustration. At the back of the book there is more information about each "plate" (illustration), for those who want to know a bit more.
Each page spread has a short sentence and the name(s) of the insects found in the illustration. At the back of the book there is more information about each "plate" (illustration), for those who want to know a bit more.
October 22, 2017
Another great book for Insects week
May 1, 2018
Great, simple information about insects for children. Lovely illustrations.
March 15, 2021
This is pretty and scientifically sound but geared for my classes age group. Recommended.
Q2021 book.
Q2021 book.
October 1, 2022
Wonderful read!
May 8, 2015
PERSONAL REACTION
I really like this books because it informs the reader of many basic facts about insects. There are few words per page which I really enjoyed because I was able to take in all of the information that the author was telling me as I was readying. The pages are not visually overwhelming which I think it really important when it comes to informational books.
PURPOSE/USE IN CLASSROOM
-this would be a good read aloud during a science unit, specifically when discussing insects because it informs students of the basic facts and provides examples
-I would recommend this book to 1st graders because it is a simple read and it does not use challenging language that students wouldn't be able to understand
-this would be a good independent read as well because of the language used and it is interesting so students will want to spend more time looking at the pictures and the information that is provided
-this is a great informational book because there are pictures to go along with the text to bring to life what the words are saying and there is also something in the back of the book that students can refer to if they want to learn more about one of the facts presented on a page
-I also like how the book takes a general topic (insects) and breaks it down even further (flies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc)
I really like this book because it is interesting and visually appealing. I want to use this in my classroom because I remember learning about insects in first grade and it was my favorite unit. I think this is a great book to read and I would have loved it if I read it when I was younger. It does a great job presenting facts and motivating children to enjoy reading about topics that they can learn from.
I really like this books because it informs the reader of many basic facts about insects. There are few words per page which I really enjoyed because I was able to take in all of the information that the author was telling me as I was readying. The pages are not visually overwhelming which I think it really important when it comes to informational books.
PURPOSE/USE IN CLASSROOM
-this would be a good read aloud during a science unit, specifically when discussing insects because it informs students of the basic facts and provides examples
-I would recommend this book to 1st graders because it is a simple read and it does not use challenging language that students wouldn't be able to understand
-this would be a good independent read as well because of the language used and it is interesting so students will want to spend more time looking at the pictures and the information that is provided
-this is a great informational book because there are pictures to go along with the text to bring to life what the words are saying and there is also something in the back of the book that students can refer to if they want to learn more about one of the facts presented on a page
-I also like how the book takes a general topic (insects) and breaks it down even further (flies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc)
I really like this book because it is interesting and visually appealing. I want to use this in my classroom because I remember learning about insects in first grade and it was my favorite unit. I think this is a great book to read and I would have loved it if I read it when I was younger. It does a great job presenting facts and motivating children to enjoy reading about topics that they can learn from.
January 6, 2017
Have you ever wondered how insects live? What they eat? How they move? Then this is the book for you. About Insects is a non fiction book with lots of facts about insects. I learned most of this in school, but I didn’t know that insects have waterproof skeletons on the outside of their bodies. Cool! Insects also can live almost anywhere. They use antennae to help them smell, taste and feel.
I’ve read many of this author’s books and I always enjoy them. I like learning new facts and there’s usually something in the back of the book if you want to learn more. She has a glossary, suggestions for further reading and websites to visit. My favorite website she recommended was www.bugfacts.com. This book is right for 3-8 year olds who like bugs. I like the illustrations because they have plenty of detail. The facts are fun to read. There are no hard words, unless you visit the back of the book for more information. I give this book four stars.
Review by Cameron H., age 6 , New Mexico Mensa
I’ve read many of this author’s books and I always enjoy them. I like learning new facts and there’s usually something in the back of the book if you want to learn more. She has a glossary, suggestions for further reading and websites to visit. My favorite website she recommended was www.bugfacts.com. This book is right for 3-8 year olds who like bugs. I like the illustrations because they have plenty of detail. The facts are fun to read. There are no hard words, unless you visit the back of the book for more information. I give this book four stars.
Review by Cameron H., age 6 , New Mexico Mensa
March 19, 2013
“About Insects: A Guide for Children” by Cathryn Sill is one of a series of books that Cathryn Sill has done. I love them because of the simple informative text and the captivating illustrations. These books are loved by primary children for the life like depiction in the illustrations. The illustrator clearly pictures the insects in life like situations that are captivating for all to look at.
I also believe these books can be helpful to middle grade students for the information contained. I especially like the section in the back of the book that gives more detailed information and which could be used by parents when discussing the book or by older readers doing research on this topic. These books are a great addition to any library. (reviewed by Claudette Delorge, Librarian)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of About Insects: A Guide for Children was provided by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
I also believe these books can be helpful to middle grade students for the information contained. I especially like the section in the back of the book that gives more detailed information and which could be used by parents when discussing the book or by older readers doing research on this topic. These books are a great addition to any library. (reviewed by Claudette Delorge, Librarian)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of About Insects: A Guide for Children was provided by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
May 31, 2014
This book is a great read-aloud for students from Pre-K though 5th grade. This book addresses science standards across all elementary grade levels. I would use this book in a fourth grade science lesson as we explore producers and consumers in a community. I would also use this book in a fifth grade lesson as we explore the animal kingdom and the arthropods, namely insects, within that class. The students will enjoy exploring the characteristics of insects in this colorful book. Additionally, the images and the information will extend the students' content knowledge about the topic.
September 7, 2013
This book helps us learn a great deal about insects with only a few words but with clear illustrations. Good for teaching kids to write All About books. There are more in the same series.
March 22, 2016
Introduction to insects for young readers.
April 6, 2017
- Grades k-2
-N/A
- This book talks about the different things that makes insects, insects. This book also shows all kinds of different insects and what they can do. There are pictures and facts about the insects throughout the book and in the back of the book.
- I love this book. It can be used as a simple text or taken more in depth. The picture are wonderful and simple. Students could pick this book up as their own read along or it can be used as a great read along.
- I would use this book when talking about Insects during a science unit, or even when talking about different creatures.
It can also be used as a fun read aloud. This book can be used as an insect identification as well.
-N/A
- This book talks about the different things that makes insects, insects. This book also shows all kinds of different insects and what they can do. There are pictures and facts about the insects throughout the book and in the back of the book.
- I love this book. It can be used as a simple text or taken more in depth. The picture are wonderful and simple. Students could pick this book up as their own read along or it can be used as a great read along.
- I would use this book when talking about Insects during a science unit, or even when talking about different creatures.
It can also be used as a fun read aloud. This book can be used as an insect identification as well.
May 1, 2017
This book is easily accessible for many age groups and would be a great addition to any science class on insects, or even a gardening or spring time unit. The information is simple, direct, and accompanied by beautiful watercolors that extremely realistic looking.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews