"Bugs by the Numbers" is a fun and engaging fact filled book all about insects. I really enjoyed reading this book because each page had an illustration of the bug made out of one number repeated over and over again. This number was then included in a fact about that insect. The book contained neat flaps that you could lift to reveal more facts or another illustration made out of numbers. This text would be engaging to students of any age. The facts it includes about the insects are not ordinary facts that most people would know, but instead they are intriguing facts that capture your attention and make you want to know more. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age, even if they have no interest whatsoever in bugs. I would love to incorporate "Bugs by the Numbers" into my future classroom. I would use this book for a research study in science. I would do an interactive read aloud with this book during science and allow students to spend some one-on-one time with it as well. Then, I would have students choose any animal they wanted to research and find an interesting fact about that animal that isn't commonly known. They would have to construct a picture made out of just one number to represent their animal. I would have students present their drawings along with the fact or facts they chose to the class. The creators of Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types return with a bug book where it is all done by the numbers. After an energetic introduction, readers turn pages to see bugs made up of numbers. The numbers have special reference to that insect, whether it is the number of legs, number of eyes, or how far they can jump. The design of the book is eye-catching and very engaging. The ground is bright colors that change from page to page and the bulk of the numbers are explained there. But other pages have large flaps that open: wood for the termites, a tree for the walking stick, and leaves for the caterpillar. This is a vibrant book that will have everyone engrossed in learning facts about bugs. The typographical design is truly amazing with the insects fully rendered in numbers, used in different sizes and amounts of boldness. The backgrounds are primarily white with large areas of color, leaving the detail to the insects themselves. It is a strong design that is intriguing and great fun.This book worked particularly well read-aloud, which is something I had not expected. The facts read naturally and provide lots of opportunities for further discussion. There are facts that are well known and others that are strange and intriguing. It makes for a great book for kids to nod along that they know the information and then in the next sentence to be learning something new.A great bug book, this deserves a place in every public library. I know it will be one of my picks for holiday presents for any nature-loving kid. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
What do You think about Bugs By The Numbers (2011)?
Excellent NF for 2-3rd graders. I love the color palette, bold art, and nice-sized facts.
—Nevz
This book has fun facts about bugs and is great for 1st-4th grade classrooms.
—Victoria
This book is perfect for a science or math class.
—keem
