Noisy Bug Sing-Along
by John Himmelman (Author) John Himmelman (Illustrator)
Kids love bugs, and this book takes readers outside both day and night to see and hear all the sights and sounds. The illustrations are fun and use the sounds of the insects to direct the readers eye to all the cool sounds bugs make. Accurate scientific information accompanies all of the fun of heading out to the backyard on a summer night to experience the bugs!
In this colorful picture book, Himmelman introduces the sounds of noisy bugs and invites children to sing along with them. Each double-page spread focuses on one insect, with a line of text, such as A Dog-Day Cicada buzzes LOUDLY high in a tree. / ZZZZZZZZ, and a meticulously drawn, large-scale image of the animal, with color, texture, and shading apparently added digitally. The big, bold images make the illustrations inviting to children, while the accurate depictions of individual insects reward closer study. Among those featured are the tiger moth (SQUEAKA-SQUEAKA-SQUEAK), the mosquito (mmmmmm), and the bush katydid (tick-tick-tick zeezeezeezee). In contrast, the butterfly flies by in silence. An appended section provides the sound waves (on paper and, through a link, in audio files) recorded for each example; a paragraph of information about each bug and its sound; and good children's activities for related of insect sounds.
A perfect book for:
- parents and teachers needing homeschool materials for kindergarten (or any grade!)
- anyone looking for singalong books for kids and toddlers!
- anyone looking for children's books to help instill an appreciation of our planet!
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School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1--A still summer evening isn't always quiet for those who listen carefully. They might hear and identify some noisy bugs using this simple primer. Himmelman devotes a spread to each insect and its distinctive sound. Though the text is simple, with just one line per page, the author packs in the information. He includes the complete name of the bug and an easy-to-replicate phonetic description of the sound. Readers will also learn about how the noisy creature adapts to its environment. For example, a Dog-Day Cicada buzzes high in a tree, not near the ground. The textual information is set off by larger-than-life illustrations. The colors are saturated but still realistic. There are enough details in the pictures to serve as a beginning identification guide. Additional details about all of the bugs is appended. Missing, though, is any notation about where in the United States the insects live, which might have made this book even more useful. Nature activities are included. This book will be well-used on trips to the woods and in backyards throughout the summer, wherever noisy bugs can be found.--Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ
Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
