Biggest Bugs Life-Size

Gr 5—8—From the world's longest insect, the 14-inch-long Chan's megastick (requiring a foldout page to display its extended slimness) to the 7 1/4-inch wingspan of a giant helicopter damselfly, this compendium is a veritable Guiness Book of Buggy Bigness. The critters skitter across facing pages, complete with global distribution maps and quick lines of data (length, wingspan, etc.), and locations. Color photos of spindly legs, slender antennas, camouflaged bodies, and decorative wings abound. While this is a book about "big," the text is serious about the subject. Beccaloni treats it scientifically, avoiding any sensationalism that casual browsers may be seeking. His careful introduction explains the inclusion of creatures that aren't truly bugs, such as the giant vinegaroon and the Goliath bird-eating spider. Several pages of further information, a list of (adult) references, and an index are appended. A solid resource for lovers of the creepy-crawlies.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY