Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle

by Cheryl Bardoe Narrated by Eliza Foss

Overview

Simple science text and dramatic illustrations give a close-up view of the fascinating world of the dung beetle. When an animal lightens its load, dung beetles race to the scene. They battle over, devour, hoard, and lay their eggs in the precious poop. Dung is food, drink, and fuel for new life--as crucial to these beetles as the beetles are to many habitats, including our own.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal - Audio

06/01/2014
Gr 2–4—Accompanied by jaunty music, this DVD is loaded with information and interesting illustrations of beetles and, yes, dung. Based on Cheryl Bardoe's picture book (Charlesbridge, 2014), it explains how the three types of beetles—dwellers, tunnelers, and rollers—make other animals' business their business. After highlighting the methods of each type, there is a description of their life cycles. Alan Marks's static illustrations are augmented by camera movements, either down tunnels or focusing on one beetle and then expanding outward. Susie Berneis's narration is smooth and articulate, lending genuine enthusiasm with just the right emphasis on new terms. Appropriate sound effects, such as the buzz of flying beetles or wind through prairie grass, heighten the effectiveness. (The read-along portion is optional. The word spoken is highlighted in red and a little fuzzy.) Overall, a good DVD with a scientific focus on an underappreciated life form.—C.A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO

Kirkus Reviews

2014-01-15
Despite its slightly unsavory habits, this important beetle deserves a chance to shine. Bardoe eases into discussing dung by mentioning that an animal, somewhere in the world this very second, is "lightening its load." Beetles flock to one dung pat by the thousands, sometimes getting there a mere 15 seconds after it was dropped. There are three different types of dung beetles—dwellers, rollers and tunnelers—and as Bardoe nonchalantly describes, each "has a different way of enjoying the poop." From rolling smooth balls of dung (and performing acrobatic moves to transport it) to getting into fights to catch the fancy of a mate, these tiny beetles are quite entertaining. Each double-page spread contains text in two fonts: The larger-type text is chatty and informative, while the smaller provides more detail. Both sets are immensely readable. Golden watercolor sunsets and vast open plains surround the text. Compelling close-ups show deep tunnels and every part of the beetle. The exalted tone of the title and cover illustration of a dung beetle in a triumphant, legs-to-the-heavens stance may seem a bit excessive at first. But no doubt by the end, readers will find it difficult not to join in the adulation. An excrement—er, excellent—read. (appended facts, beetle diagram, glossary, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 5-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170469475
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	07/04/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Somewhere in the world right now an animal is lightening its load—
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Cheryl Bardoe.
Excerpted by permission of Charlesbridge.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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