Have you ever seen a butterfly wing up close? Did you know each wing is covered with thousands of individual scales? If you had sensitive lasers, high-speed flashguns, and weeks to spare in the rain forest, you might already know this. If you didn’t, it’s a good thing Nic Bishop does. In his book Butterflies and Moths, Bishop takes us on a journey through the life of a butterfly. From conception to caterpillar, pupa to butterfly, the colorful full-page photographs provide a vivid, awe-inspiring look at the parts of various butterflies and moths from around the world that wouldn’t be seen without his amazing photography skills and impressive array of equipment. After studying alongside scientists in Costa Rica, Bishop was able to take a very coveted picture of the snakelike caterpillar who deters prey by turning itself into a very realistic looking snake. The brightly colored pages and fonts capture the reader’s attention and urge you to flip the page to see what else is in store. Engaging for readers of all ages, Bishop’s degree in biological sciences shines through his information-packed book. Written with wonderfully descriptive adjectives, the book includes everything and anything you may wonder about these beautiful creatures. Although there is a good amount of text, the words used can be easily understood for kids as young as 5 or 6. Each photograph is coupled with a descriptive caption to help the reader understand the real size of the butterflies and moths shown in the book. At 45 times its actual size, you can witness the monarch butterfly hatch from, and then eat its own eggshell, or at 5 times its actual size, you can gaze at the black swallowtail butterfly as it sticks out its smelly orange organ to scare away a predator. Covering everything from kinds of butterflies, to diet, lifespan, and much more, Bishop ends with a note detailing his emotions as he researched for the book, followed by a very helpful glossary and index. “The thrill of seeing (a butterfly) never fades.” Nor will your desire to continue reading Butterflies and Moths. This is a gorgeous book, as Bishop lens gives us a front-row seat (maybe even closer) to butterflies and moths in their various stages of development, activity, and mystery. The images that occupy more than half the book are well matched by the content - I wish the background for the text had not been such strong and often primary colors, but this was minor, because I kept learning along with Bishop and was dazzled by these beautiful creations.
What do You think about Butterflies And Moths (2009)?
I'm a Nic Bishop fan! Incredible photographs with concise, easy to understand descriptions.
—Pat
If you want to study butterflies I would highly recommend this book. Excellent photography.
—adrienevans
Fun and fascinating to read with stunning photos.
—Heather
