Minnesota Bug Hunt

Gr 1–3—While this book is specific to Minnesota, varieties of these bugs (such as fireflies, dragonflies, and earwigs) can be found in many other states. The volume is organized by habitat, including backyards, which makes it a great choice for young creepy crawler hunters to use for identification. While text boxes cover facts (such as what robber flies steal), not every entry includes important basic information (e.g., lifespan, size, enemies, etc.). The photos are clear and vibrant, but the downside of the many close-ups is that there is no scale reference. Some vocabulary words are included in bold and others in italics, but not all of them are defined in the text. This inconsistent treatment could lead to confusion. Nonetheless, this is a useful book for young bug lovers, especially those who live in Minnesota.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ