Zoom In on Butterflies

August 1, 2014

Pres-Gr 1-Enslow continues to "Zoom in," this time focusing on insects (previous series have centered on "Body Invaders," "Crime Scenes," and "Bizarre Bugs"). Stewart breaks down these bugs part by part, providing basic information on antennae, legs, wings, eyes, as well as on their life cycles and habitats, relying upon sparse text ideal for young readers and a colorful, eye-catching layout. Though quality of the photos varies, for the most part, these close-up images will engage children-particularly Grasshoppers and Dragonflies.

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Grades 1-3 The Zoom in on Insects! series does just what good science books for a young age group should: offer facts in short but easily understandable texts. Clear and engaging photos help whet readers' appetites to learn more. The titles follow a pattern, introducing habitats, body parts, and how the titular subject evolves. Butterflies begins with habitats before continuing on with in-detail looks at body parts, including eyes, wings, and legs. The final few pages discuss the life of a caterpillar. Each book ends with an illustration of the insect's life cycle and a page directing children toward helpful websites. The best part of the series is the wonderfully crisp photos, with certain imagesan insect's eye, for examplelifted from the larger picture and put into a zoom bubble, where kids can really see what's going on. Primary-grade students and their teachers will certainly appreciate this.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
Each book in this series focuses on the body parts, home, and life cycle of a familiar bug. Two color photos of both the entire insect and a magnified view of eyes, antennae, wings, tongues, or eggs appear on each spread, while brief text with enthusiastic ("Now that's fast!") but sometimes unspecific language offers accessible descriptions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)