Bug Safari

Author: Bob Barner
Title: Bug Safari
Publishing Info: Holiday House
Pages: 28


Summary: This fantasy book immerses its readers in science, exploration, and creativity. The book begins with vivid illustrations, which continue throughout the story. The setting of this adventure is a bug infested jungle, filled with ants, bees, spiders, and mosquitoes, on a hot, summer day. The explorer is a young boy, which helps the audience relate to the story. He becomes so interested in the life of the ants that he decides to follow them on their journey through the “jungle.” The story notes many scientific facts about the insects such as, “honeybees collecting pollen”, sizes of the insects, and ways they may communicate. After many close calls, the bug safari ends, and the boy realizes that the taste of insects and humans are actually close to the same. After the story ends, there are a couple of pages depicting the various insects shown in the book. These pages contain informational facts about each bug, which helps students learn in a fun and creative manner.

Personal rating: ****

Rationale: Well-written; detailed plot; vivid illustrations; characters and situations students can relate to and enjoy

Reading level: 3.2 Interest level: 2nd-6th

Thematic Areas: Exploration; identity; quest

Content Areas: Science

Potential Problems or Difficulties: N/A

Possible use in classroom: Use in thematic science unit about insects; class could go on “bug safari” near the school or on the playground, and discuss what insects we find; in groups, students could research characteristics and information on particular insects, and share this information with the class