HUNTING BIG GAME IN THE CITY PARKS

by Howard G. Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 14, 1969

That ""Big Game"" is a little trick to attract attention, as it refers to insects, albeit the more voracious ones. The author's encounters with various wasps, bees, ants, etc. are recorded in personalized anecdotes that use oversize images (e.g. the praying mantis as Tyrannosaurus rex of the flower garden) to characterize the often-belligerent subjects (field cricket, tiger bee, fire ants, giant water bug). Natural histories are also incorporated in most instances. Readers are advised to arrange their own ""safaris"" and for that purpose a ""Hunting Guide"" (description, habitat, stalking methods) concludes each chapter. Although most of the insects are at least mentioned in one or more of the standard reference works (Junior Book of Insects, Insects on Parade, Hatch and Grow) they benefit from the grouping and acquire a kind of Darwinian curiosity. The safari gimmick is tedious but the chatty descriptions are inviting and kids will head for the (ant) hills.

Pub Date: April 14, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Abingdon

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION