Popular Science Children's Review

Home Authors Books Subjects Events Software Features Links Newsletter Gifts Blog Write Review What's New

Review - Bug Butts - Dawn Cusick

As Jane Austen didn't quite say, it is a truth universally acknowledged that children have a fascination with bottoms and poo. I'm sorry, it's true. Latching on to this, Dawn Cusick's book tells us about what might seem a very narrow topic - things that insects and arachnids can do with their rear ends.

In practice, there's a whole lot going on down there - whether it's breathing, shooting out weapons, producing a camouflage shade or feeding a partner in a symbiotic relationship. What might seem like slim pickings in fact generates plenty of fascinating factoids.

This is a picture book in style with clear two page colour illustrations by Haude Levesque. The text runs across the pictures, which isn't a problem visually, but does make some of it a little difficult to read.

When it comes to science curriculums, this is fairly marginal material - but if your aim is to get children interested in the natural world, then Bug Butts is great. Perhaps a touch embarrassing to read aloud - but the kids will love it.

P.S. Put 'Bug Butts' into Amazon search and it comes back asking 'Did you mean "Big Butts"?' Don't say I didn't warn you.

Only in hardback

Reviewed by Jo Reed

* Our age range recommendation is an estimated guide, but individual readers outside the range could still enjoy the book!

DISCLAIMERS

This site has no connection with Popular Science magazine or other sites and publications with a similar name.

Much of the content of this site is written by popular science writers or friends of popular science writers. Inevitably many of the reviews in such a small community are written by or about someone we know. We always aim to be impartial in our reviews, but there is a connection which we need make clear, as there is no intention to deceive. The content of any review or article is solely the opinion of the author and should not be read or understood on any other basis. The site exists to promote popular science writing and popular science authors and for this reason should be considered promotional material, just as the editorial reviews in an online bookshop or the blurb on the back of a book should be considered promotional.

The website should not be eaten or used where it can come into contact with water.

Disagree with our review? Want to comment on a feature? Contact us at info@ popularscience.co.uk - have your say!

Part of the site