Bugs and Bugsicles
Insects in the Winter
Illustrated by Robert C. Kray
Boyds Mills Press, 2010
ISBN #978-1-59078-763-2
Nonfiction
Ages 6-10
“It is late September and the sun is still warm when a Monarch Butterfly lands on a purple aster. She’s grabbing a quick sip of nectar before flying south.
A Honeybee aims for a yellow marigold. She will need food to get thorough the winter.
On the grass below, five Pavement Ants hurry past, carrying seeds. They march underground, going down to their nest to get away from the dangers of frost.”
I always wondered what insects did in the winter and where they went. This realistically illustrated picture book answers just that. Following the gentle introduction describing the preparations for the fall season, the book follows different insects as they prepare and settle in for the winter, and in some instances, die, after leaving their eggs safely secured. Text filled with specifics and interesting details about the insects traces among others, a dragonfly, praying mantis, field cricket, ladybug, a pavement ant, and Arctic wooly bear caterpillar (turns into a wooly bear moth), whose body is adapted to freeze and thaw and the alluded-to bugsicle. The book ends with a poetic slide into winter and a promise of spring to follow.
The large illustrations contribute well to the text and show the insects up close, in their natural habitat, and in detail. There is an author note, additional reading suggestions, and an index. Best of all, the back matter suggests two experiments related to freezing that the readers can easily do.
This book holds great information and should delight any nature lover or curiosity-filled kid and will answer the questions about where insects go in the winter for anyone.
Activity 1
Look up insect life cycles and find out the difference between metamorphosis and incomplete metamorphosis. Name two insects that exhibit the different life cycles.
Use this page to follow the Monarch butterfly’s development.
Use this page to follow the dragonfly’s development.
This site has lessons to follow the development of some insects.
Use this information to learn about metamorphosis.
Activity 2
Carrry out one of the experiments in the book. Record the results and write up the findings using the scientific method.
Use this form to guide your write up.
Learn more about Amy S. Hansen and see her other books.
National Science Standard: life cycles; organisms and their environment
Book provided by author.
I remember seeing a review of this some months ago, but now you’ve reminded me of it I really must track it down!
What a great title to talk about seasons and life within a season. I can’t wait to add it to my collection. thank you.
You are welcome. What a good way to relate seasons to life cycle. Thank you for your great idea that extends mine even further!
I just love the name “Bugsicles,” it is too fun. Nice activities to reinforce learning.
Definitely an irresistible title! Great review–I’ll be posting it on the Cybils blog a week from Monday.
Thank you so much!