BUGS FROM HEAD TO TAIL

In this introductory picture book, each of eight different “bugs” is allotted four pages, which include an initial, illustrated question followed by the answer and then additional art and text.

Following the title’s lead, the first question, in large lettering on the verso, is “What kind of bug has a head like this?” An enormous paper collage resembling the head of a rhinoceros spreads across both pages. Upon turning the page, the lettering triumphantly announces, “A rhinoceros beetle!” and gives a few exciting facts about the creature. On this double-page spread, a full-bodied, paper-collage rhinoceros beetle is surrounded by its environment—created from mixed-media, including photographs of stones and underbrush. Equally impressive combinations of art and text follow. The text is clear, and scientific vocabulary includes concise definitions, as in “These wings are part of the ladybug’s exoskeleton, or ‘outside skeleton.’ ” The questions move from head to antennae to eyes to body to wings to hair to legs to tail—with “tail” explained as a trick question. The final double-page spread offers a gallery of seven more “awesome bugs” and a sidebar about further classifications. Every digitally created habitat collage is a worthy match to the carefully worded text. The round, wide-pupiled eyes of the bugs make them all—even the tarantula—appear benign and endearing. Even the aquamarine endpapers abound with friendly bug images.

Attractive, informative, and beautifully designed.