All the Buzz: 6 Great Children’s Books About Insects

Diary of a Fly, by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss
Written as the diary of a fly, this amusing tale talks about life from the perspective of a fly who desperately wants to be a superhero. With the help of her friends Spider and Worm, she eventually learns that “the world needs all kinds of heroes,” even flies. This hilarious tale is charming not only because of the vivid illustrations and adept storytelling, but also because of the incredible attention to detail and the amazing facts about flies it conveys in a fun way. Older kids will also be able to relate to some of the scenarios depicted in the book, from being nervous about the first day of school to getting into trouble with the babysitter. This book is sure to appeal to preschoolers and young readers, who will love this imaginative story told from a fly’s perspective.

Inch by Inch, by Leo Lionni
This Caldecott Honor Book tells the tale of a proud inchworm as he tries to measure the world around him inch by inch. He even evades being eaten by some hungry birds thanks to his measuring abilities. With its focus on measurement, the book serves as a good way to introduce children to the concept of standard and not-so-standard measuring devices and get them thinking about the way we measure the world around us. Young children will also enjoy trying to spot the inchworm in the illustrations throughout the book.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
Of course, no bug book list would be complete without this classic by Eric Carle. A must-have for any child’s library collection, it’s one of those beloved books kids just can’t seem to get enough of. Carle’s colorful illustrations and compelling narrative bring this transformation story to life in a way that no other caterpillar-to-butterfly book I’ve ever read does. Along the way, children learn counting, the story of a caterpillar’s life cycle and the consequences of over-indulging in sweets. If you’ve already got this Eric Carle classic in your house, don’t forget his other classic insect stories, including The Grouchy Ladybug, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Lonely Firefly and The Very Clumsy Click Beetle.

Sounds of the Wild: Bugs, by Maurice Pledger
This delightful pop-up book features five stunning panoramas that let children explore the world of bugs from a whole different angle. Maurice Pledger’s colorful illustrations transport them to the insect world, where they can see insects from different types of habitats, including the mountains, desert, water and wetlands. Each scene is also accompanied by the sounds of the insects shown on the pages, so kids can listen for everything from the hum of a bee to the leap of a flea. The book also features keys describing each insect, so curious children (and their caregivers) can learn more about the featured bugs.

Ten Little Caterpillars, by Bill Martin Jr. and Lois Ehlert
Martin’s captivating counting rhyme introduces 10 little caterpillars as they creep their way through brightly hued gardens, inviting apple orchards and other scenes filled with plants and other critters. Each spread presents a different caterpillar, with one sailing in a garden pool, another carried away in a jar and so on until we see the final caterpillar transform into a butterfly. This book provides a good introduction to the concept of metamorphosis and counting, but also encourages children to learn more about the natural world through its use of identification labels for each botanical illustration, and a final full-page spread that identifies each caterpillar, along with its preferred food and the butterfly or moth it will transform into. With so much to offer, this beautiful title will surely wiggle its way into your heart.

The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs, by William Joyce
For a bug tale like no other, look no further than William Joyce’s Leaf Men. This captivating fairy tale follows a brigade of doodle bugs fighting against the Spider Queen to save an old woman’s garden. As the garden falls into disorder, its fate lies in the hands of the mythical Leaf Men, tiny Robin Hood-inspired characters with shoots emerging from their heads and capes made of leaves. Joyce’s vivid illustrations bring the entire magical world to life in unforgettable fashion. After reading this book, your child will likely never look upon a garden in the same way.
Did we miss any books you’re buggy over? Let us know in the comments!