Walkingsticks
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Walkingsticks have some of the best camouflage in the insect world. Most wave in the wind and look just like twigs – but some have bright wings to warn predators! Young readers will love taking a closer look at these masters of hide and seek.
Earwigs
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
An earwig has a Captain Hook appearance, with "pincers" attached to its back end. But honestly, the insect looks scarier than it is. Early learners will want to poke around this book to explore how earwigs look and behave. They are sure to get hooked on reading!
Aphids
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Did you know that aphids poop honeydew? It's true! And it's also fact that ants harvest this sweet poo. In this insect introduction, early readers will see aphids more as honeydew suppliers than pests. Red ones, black ones, green ones, woolly ones, and winged ones are all swarming in this title!
Damselflies
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Damselflies could very well be part of the inspiration for the term "bug-eyed." Their compound eyes are huge and protruding! Young readers will look with amazement at damselflies flying, eating, molting, and more in this insect close-up. A staring contest is on!
Bumblebees
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
A bumblebee colony is a busy place! The queen bee builds the nest and lays hundreds of eggs. Worker bees float from flower to flower, gathering nectar and helping flowers grow. In this book for beginning readers, students will learn all about the complex world of bumblebees.
Fireflies
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Fireflies are among nature's tiniest luminaries. They are special in their ability to light up and blink at one another. Though they do not live for more than a couple months, they sure shine bright while alive! This title casts fireflies in a beautiful light for beginning readers.
Butterflies
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Butterflies always use a straw when sipping nectar. This is because their mouths are crafted like suction tubes. In this insect profile, young readers are invited to travel from page to page like butterflies travel from flower to flower. They will drink up juicy information about butterfly basics.
Crickets
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Chirp, chirp! Male crickets rub their wings together to make music. The females listen closely, with eardrums on their legs. These singing insects will enthrall readers in this fact-filled book loaded wih vibrant photography.
Wasps
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
A wasp might sting you, but you can't say you weren't warned! Wasps have bright colors to caution that they do have a dangerous side. This insect introduction makes it safe for beginning readers to get up close to wasps and enter their world.
Dragonflies
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Some adult dragonflies can fly as fast as 60 miles per hour-a common speed limit for cars on a highway! Quick flight is essential for them to catch prey in midair. In this children's title, readers will travel alongside dragonflies moving from page to page.
Grasshoppers
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
If insects held their version of the Olympic games, a grasshopper would for sure make the podium for the long jump event. The long-legged insect can jump forward 20 times its body length! Elementary readers will make leaps in their understanding of grasshoppers in this book.
Ants
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
The insect symbol of hard work just might be a worker ant. A worker ant's life is fully committed to finding food for a colony and caring for young. This book for beginning readers magnifies an insect that can carry more than its own weight!
Honeybees
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Honeybees are in the honey-making business. These insects turn nectar collected from plants into honey and then store it in honeycombs. In this book, young kids will job-shadow honeybees working hard in their hives. Readers will see how busy bees make productivity look fascinating.
Cicadas
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
The last insect to need a megaphone would be a cicada. No bug is louder than a male cicada buzzing for a female! This title shouts cool cicada facts at kids, including that cicada noisemakers are called tymbals and that nymphs can stay underground for up to 17 years!
Ladybugs
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Ladybugs are pest control workers in bright, polka-dotted uniforms. These little exterminators take care of aphids and other insect menaces for farmers by eating them up! This bug profile shows kids that ladybugs are more than just beautiful beetles-they are insects with purpose.
Cockroaches
Part of the Insects Up Close: Blastoff! series
Cockroaches may be creepy-crawly, but these resilient insects once shared the world with dinosaurs! Eager young readers will find out where cockroaches live, how they grow, and what they eat in this title featuring up close, crisp photography.