Buggy Book List

We have been very relaxed lately with our learning activities, but we've been reading bunches.  My boys are ready to move on to new things, but I thought I'd at least do a book post for our favorites from our bug themed learning.  Here are a few of my favorite bug books.

You cannot do a great bug unit without including at least one Eric Carle book.  He has so many great ones.  Each one has the familiar colorful illustrations, some repetitive text, and most have additional learning objectives embedded as well.

The Grouchy Ladybug tells the story of a very grouchy ladybug who more interested in picking a fight than in sharing.  This is the perfect book for time telling practice as well as size comparison.

The Clumsy Click Beetle reinforces the importance of practice and believing in yourself.

The Hungry Caterpillar not only chronicles the life cycle of a butterfly, but has counting practice embedded as well.

The Very Busy Spider has farm animals that speak their corresponding sounds and raised, touch-me spider webs for a sensory experience.

Icky Bug Shapes by Jerry Pallotta

This book follows a group of leafcutter ants as they carry their leaves to their home.  It not only gives information about the leafcutters, but shows examples of the basic shapes that occur in the bug world.  For example, the grasshopper's eye is an oval and the praying mantis has a triangular head.

The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn and Jack Tickle

 

This ladybug is so lazy, she doesn't want to fly.  She hops from one animal to another, hoping to find a new napping place.  A simple story, great for the young preschool set.

Ladybug at Orchard Avenue by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld

This is a fantastic nonfiction ladybug book.  It tells the "story" of a day in a ladybug's life while weaving interesting facts throughout.  Lots of ladybug information with detailed illustrations.

The Very Greedy Bee by Steve Smallman

This greedy bee finds himself in a serious conundrum as he greedily sips from flower to flower and finds himself too fat to fly and all alone.  A cute story that teaches the importance of sharing and helping others.

Creepy Crawlies A to Z by Louisa Ainsworth

A buggy alphabet book with photographs of all things creepy crawly from a to z, some familiar, others more obscure.  Interesting facts and just enough text to keep kids engaged.

I Like Bugs by Margaret Wise Brown

This is a beginning reader written by the author of Goodnight Moon and many other loved children's tales.  Mr. One can read this one by himself, so it's a favorite at our house.

Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman

A beautifully illustrated story of a little lightning bug with a lion inside of him, although he doesn't know it at first.  Leo is a lightning bug who cannot make his light work.  To make matters worse, others make fun of his efforts.  With a little practice, and some bravery, he learns how to make his light shine.  Reinforces the importance of having confidence in yourself and perseverance.

Charlie the Caterpillar by Dom DeLuise

Charlie the Caterpillar just wants to play, but the other creatures want him to go away, just because he is an ugly caterpillar.  After becoming a butterfly, they suddenly want him for a playmate, but Charlie is looking for true friends.  Read to see who he finds.  A good message about looking on the inside of a person instead of just the outside.

Good Night, Sweet Butterflies by Dawn Bentley and Heather Cahoon

This colorful board book is a favorite of Mr. Two.  He can recite most of it by memory now.  Each page is dedicated to a color, as each of ten different colored butterflies finds a place to rest for the night.  Simple rhyming text and bright illustrations make a great bedtime read.

I Wish I Were a Butterfly by James Howe

This is one of my favorite books.  A sad little cricket believes he is the ugliest creature in Swampswallow Pond, because the frog on the edge of the pond told him so.  He is so upset, he won't even fiddle with the other crickets and spends his day wishing he were a butterfly instead, complaining to the other creatures near the pond.  He cannot see the beauty in himself until a wise old friend helps him to discover it.  This book has fabulous, impressionistic illustrations and a poetic feeling text.  This one is a bit wordy for the really young crowd, but a worthwhile read for the older preschooler or elementary aged child.

Find a good spot for reading, and enjoy a buggy book or two!