My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis (Nature Diary #1)
by Paul Meisel (Author)
Get a bug's-eye-view on the life cycle of the praying mantis, in this hilarious, scientifically accurate Nature Diary following an insect through her whole summer.
Finalist for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books
"May 17: I was born today! It's a beautiful, sunny spring day!"
This is the diary of P. Mantis, one of 150 brothers and sisters born on a garden bush. P. Mantis is an amazing bug: she can make herself look like a stick to hide from predators, she can swivel her head all the way around, and when she's grown up she'll even be able to fly!
In dated journal entries P. Mantis describes the entirety of her life, sharing the fun and beauty of her world as well its little ups and downs (I ate one of my brothers. Okay, maybe two). Colorful, bold art helps illustrate the different stages of the mantis life cycle, and the engaging, narrative text is paired with more detailed information about praying mantises on the heavily-illustrated endpapers.
Washington Children's Choice Book Award 2019 Nominee
A New York Public Library Staff Pick for Children
Don't miss the other hilarious entries in The Nature Diary Series!
Each one explores the life cycle of an animal in dated journal entries, showing young readers how they grow and change through the seasons-- and offering a few laughs, too! Brightly illustrated and vetted by experts, Paul Meisel's books are a perfect introduction to your backyard neighbors.
My Happy Year by E. Bluebird
A Junior Library Guild Selection
My Stinky Summer by S. Bug
A Junior Library Guild Selection
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School Library Journal
K-Gr 2--P. Mantis joins the world on a beautiful sunny spring day in May. She is happy to share the aphid-covered bush on which she is born with her 150 brothers and sisters. As she doesn't yet have wings, her defenses against predators include pretending to be a stick and blending in with her environment using camouflage. P. Mantis sheds her skin several times as she grows quickly over the course of the summer. When the aphids are gone, P. Mantis snacks on other insects, including her own siblings. When her wings finally come in, P. Mantis can move about more freely, but there are many dangers to avoid--spider webs, flying bats and birds, and other hungry creatures. In October, P. Mantis returns to the bush where she was born to lay her own egg case, which will hatch in the spring. As winter approaches, she settles into a deep sleep. Meisel uses gorgeous, vividly painted illustrations and a gentle text to share the story of the life cycle of a praying mantis. The book is formatted like a series of first-person journal entries, and it is easy to follow the journey of the young mantid. Children will learn the time line for each developmental stage that the insect goes through. Although the circle of life can be harsh at times, this tale is told in a light and even humorous way. Back matter is chock-full of facts that will pique the interest of those eager to learn more. VERDICT The perfect introduction to the life cycle of the praying mantis for those ready to handle a mantid-eat-mantid world.--Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Meisel uses gorgeous, vividly painted illustrations and a gentle text to share the story of the life cycle of a praying mantis. . . . The perfect introduction to the life cycle of the praying mantis for those ready to handle a mantid-eat-mantid world.—School Library Journal The bright, large-scale illustrations are full of details, which readers will likely delight in poring over, especially in wide-angle scenes where P. Mantis might be harder to spot. Perfect for . . . readers who like education with a dose of entertainment.—Booklist In a pithy journal-like text, first-person (first-insect?) narrator P. Mantis provides readers with an up-close look at her five-month-long life cycle.— Horn Book
JNF003120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Insects, Spiders, etc.
