Bugs, Beetles, and Butterflies (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)
PreSchool-Grade 1-Ziefert, known for her easy-to-read texts and simple sentence structure, offers a basic-level science book that is short on facts, including the basic difference between bugs and beetles. Rhyming phrases ("Beetles click./Beetles dance./Did you ever/have one crawl/up your pants?") add little to readers' knowledge and at times seem awkward and forced. On the other hand, there are many repeated words and vibrant visual clues to aid beginning readers. The illustrations are colorful and add a touch of humor to the slight text, yet most are rather ordinary. Flather's best artwork is in the sketches of insects on the final pages of the appendix, which lists the common insect names. This title is more effective as an easy reader for the fiction shelves than as an introduction to the topic.Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.