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Nature Storybooks
Insect Detective
Young readers will definitely catch the bug when they see this enticing, fact-filled invitation to explore the world of insects.A Junior Library Guild SelectionRight now, all around us, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful wasps are building nests, ants are collecting food, and dragonflies are readying for the hunt. But it’s not always easy to catch sight of these six-legged you have to know where to look. Guided by this book, readers will happily become insect detectives and find out just what those bugs are up to.Book HardcoverPublication 2/23/2010 32Reading Age 5 and Up
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2010
About the author
Steve Voake
46 books27 followersSteve Voake is the author of all the Daisy Dawson books, as well as two novels for older readers. He lives in Somerset, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 9, 2011
This book is a great example of expository writing. Informational writing with opinion and voice. The bug facts are interesting and they are woven throughout with science vocabulary and nice point of view. A solid nonfiction book that kids will really enjoy.
December 2, 2024
Aesthetically pleasing and educational! This informative book is great at engaging the audience with various questions and visual examples. It discusses some interesting facts of different kinds of common insects such as ants, bees, etc. I really liked the art style and how unique some of the facts were. The major themes are to explore nature and to allow for curiosity. Throughout the beginning and ending of this book, the author encourages the reader to venture out and observe their surroundings, “But you don’t have to take my word for it.” This quote implies that instead of reading the book, one can apply the information to the real world and see for themself if it’s true. Through reading this, I learned many new facts about insects and new activities to try out at the end of the book. A favorite fact I learned was that ants can communicate by touching antennas! This book was a WOW book for me because the illustrations are very captivating and it goes seamlessly with the information. It doesn’t feel overwhelming while reading and the pacing is well structured. The facts are also intriguing!
Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were simile and diction. These literary devices added to the quality of the writing by helping the reader to develop a clearer understanding of the topic. For example the simile: “...by living between the top and bottom layers of leaves– a bit like hiding in a sandwich!” makes the reader envision what the setting may look like. Diction helps specify the descriptions of the insects and nature with words like “crinkly” and “squiggly.” I think with these adjectives, the writing is enhanced and more detailed! I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it is an educational book on bugs and there are no negative stereotypes or generalizations.
Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were simile and diction. These literary devices added to the quality of the writing by helping the reader to develop a clearer understanding of the topic. For example the simile: “...by living between the top and bottom layers of leaves– a bit like hiding in a sandwich!” makes the reader envision what the setting may look like. Diction helps specify the descriptions of the insects and nature with words like “crinkly” and “squiggly.” I think with these adjectives, the writing is enhanced and more detailed! I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it is an educational book on bugs and there are no negative stereotypes or generalizations.
December 27, 2018
A lovely journey through the insect world, focusing on the various ways of life ranging from birth and socialising to building homes and camouflage. Voake and Voake invite the reader to become insect detectives themselves with small tips for finding insects in areas where they may often go unseen, along with methods for helping insects in need. A non-fiction text which I feel helps to build an appreciation for insects and their complex patterns of behaviour.
January 14, 2025
This story book tells us many non-fiction facts about different kinds of insects. Together with the soft watercolour illustrations and easy narrative voice, it feels just like a story but by the end you've learned something too! I really like the pictures, and I really like the level of detail and number of insects included - not too much and not too little.
Each page has a lot of text, but it is quite large in size and the language is not overly scientific or complex. Really liked it.
Each page has a lot of text, but it is quite large in size and the language is not overly scientific or complex. Really liked it.
September 21, 2020
One of our favourites. The information about the different insects was really informative and written in a way that children will relate to. Beautiful illustrations, as well as a page (tips) inviting the child to become an insect detective too. I have two eager little girls wanting to investigate our garden tomorrow.
April 7, 2023
This is a whimsically illustrated informational book on insects. It highlights the difference between a true insect and various other kinds of bugs. It also encourages kids to be "detectives" and explore their outside surroundings. The end of the book has some kid-friendly outside projects to encourage good garden bugs, as well as, a short index.
February 16, 2019
I read this book for one of my informational books after it was mentioned in class. I thought that it was really interesting, but I loved how the information about the different insects was presented in a way that would be fun for kids to read.
February 17, 2021
A good introduction to looking for insects and noting their distinguishing features. Illustrated in a minimal style, the book nevertheless conveys good facts about insects and encourages kids to get out at look at bugs.
December 15, 2021
Fantastic! Told like a story but with a few notes around and a couple small diagrams that make it feel hallways between a mystery story and a textbook. Simple and clear language. Sample takeaways too for bringing the book to life at home.
October 3, 2022
Crazy about this gently book starring a budding young naturalist. With perfect, airy illustrations by Charlotte Voake, and information about each insect discussed, this is a book to put in the hands of any child fascinated by the natural world. I wish I'd had it as a kid.
March 20, 2017
Used with for a girl scout visit. Excellent illustrations and good information.
October 24, 2018
Whimsical language and airy pencil and watercolor illustration bring you outside to look for insects.
June 17, 2019
A lovely insect book
August 26, 2021
Library borrow, Read Aloud Revival recommendation. Ho-hum
November 5, 2021
Really lovely. Lovely, lyrical text. Fascinating facts. You will definitely have a greater appreciation for bugs after reading this.
December 9, 2021
This book is great for beginning to tell children about simple insects. It does not go into too much detail but just enough for a child aged 3-5 years
May 28, 2024
Very factual, not too dry and doesn’t attempt to be “amusing”
January 1, 2025
Learn about insects and the fun that is just outside your door.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2025
LOVE this one! The illustration is adorable, and I can see so many children loving this!
October 18, 2025
I loved this book! It fits perfectly with what I want to teach a little class of kindergarteners about insects. The illustrations are also whimsical and fun.
April 5, 2014
What young child doesn’t love to search for creepy crawling bugs! The book, “Insect Detective” by Steve Voake, is a fascinating book for 1st or 2nd graders. It will give the readers fun and interesting facts about many different kinds of insects. This book would be a great introduction to a science unit on bugs.
I would pair this book with “Grasshopper on the Road” by Arnold Lobel. It is another fun story about a grasshopper on a journey who meets up with several of the insects discussed in the story, “Insect Detective”. The grasshopper learns about some of the oddities of these other insects, which relate to the facts in the non-fiction book.
Students will learn in “Insect Detective” that because of their colored backs, beetles look like jewels that gleam in the sunlight. In the fiction story, the grasshopper finds that beetles love the morning and the morning sunlight maybe because they know they just sparkle then. The beetles only want friends who feel the morning is the best part of the day and can’t understand why grasshopper doesn’t feel the same way. The beetles send grasshopper on his way.
A fact about dragonflies is that they are fabulous fliers. They twist and dive through the air hunting for mosquitoes. In “Grasshopper on the Road”, the grasshopper comes upon two dragonflies that zip very quickly around in the air. They can’t understand why grasshopper moves so slowly.
Characters in the story, “Grasshopper on the Road”, wonder why the grasshopper is not more like them. Readers will be able to recognize and understand the many similarities and differences in many types of insects.
I would pair this book with “Grasshopper on the Road” by Arnold Lobel. It is another fun story about a grasshopper on a journey who meets up with several of the insects discussed in the story, “Insect Detective”. The grasshopper learns about some of the oddities of these other insects, which relate to the facts in the non-fiction book.
Students will learn in “Insect Detective” that because of their colored backs, beetles look like jewels that gleam in the sunlight. In the fiction story, the grasshopper finds that beetles love the morning and the morning sunlight maybe because they know they just sparkle then. The beetles only want friends who feel the morning is the best part of the day and can’t understand why grasshopper doesn’t feel the same way. The beetles send grasshopper on his way.
A fact about dragonflies is that they are fabulous fliers. They twist and dive through the air hunting for mosquitoes. In “Grasshopper on the Road”, the grasshopper comes upon two dragonflies that zip very quickly around in the air. They can’t understand why grasshopper moves so slowly.
Characters in the story, “Grasshopper on the Road”, wonder why the grasshopper is not more like them. Readers will be able to recognize and understand the many similarities and differences in many types of insects.
November 6, 2014
Insect Detective by Steve Voake is such a good example of an informational picture book. The tone that the author presents makes the information regarding the insects so much easier to understand. This book was about a young boy, who resembled Steve Voake as a young child, being a detective to determine different insects. Some of the most common insects like, ants, dragonflies, and wasps were mentioned. They were not just mentioned though, the author thoroughly explained important facts about each insect to help the reader learn easier.
One thing I really appreciated, as a reader, was that the author touched on other bugs that were not insects! This is extremely helpful, because while learning about insects students may get confused on what determines an insect. This book does just that. I think if I were to recommend this book to an age group, I would recommend it to around 2nd to 4th grade. The information is easy enough to understand for younger children, but would really test the knowledge of 4th graders.
The illustrations, done by Charlotte Voake, are beautifully done! They are simple, with just the foreground images, but just enough to get the point across. I read the book first then did a second look at the illustrations the second time. I think they would really catch the eye of students, and would be good for a read aloud about insects. On thing that is especially cool is how the writing switches up on the pages. On some pages the writing sort of looks like the illustrations, and moves across the page like the specific insect would.
One thing I really appreciated, as a reader, was that the author touched on other bugs that were not insects! This is extremely helpful, because while learning about insects students may get confused on what determines an insect. This book does just that. I think if I were to recommend this book to an age group, I would recommend it to around 2nd to 4th grade. The information is easy enough to understand for younger children, but would really test the knowledge of 4th graders.
The illustrations, done by Charlotte Voake, are beautifully done! They are simple, with just the foreground images, but just enough to get the point across. I read the book first then did a second look at the illustrations the second time. I think they would really catch the eye of students, and would be good for a read aloud about insects. On thing that is especially cool is how the writing switches up on the pages. On some pages the writing sort of looks like the illustrations, and moves across the page like the specific insect would.
June 21, 2013
Audience: Primary
Genre: Informational Non-Fiction
Fiction Twin Text: Big Bug Surprise by Julia Gran
Insect Detective, written by Steve Voake, is the story of a little boy who loves insects and explores the great outdoors looking for them. Along the way, he expels facts about insects, such as their nesting, eating, and survival habits. At the end of the book, not only does the boy suggest that the reader go outside and take a look for himself, but several ideas are listed to help the reader get a closer look at the physical traits and behaviors of insects.
Big Bug Surprise by Julia Gran would be a great fiction twin text for the book, Insect Detective. The main character in Big Bug Surprise, Prunella, is an insect enthusiast, just like the little boy in the book, Insect Detective. Likewise, Prunella knows a lot about insects, just like the little boy in Insect Detective does, and she is so passionate about insects that she can not stop talking about them. Although Big Bug Surprise is a fiction picture book, the book contains true facts about insects. Therefore, this book could easily serve as an extension of the book, Insect Detective, not only because any insect enthusiast could relate to Prunella, like they did with the little boy, but the facts about insects in both books would complement each other, expanding the reader's knowledge about insects.
Genre: Informational Non-Fiction
Fiction Twin Text: Big Bug Surprise by Julia Gran
Insect Detective, written by Steve Voake, is the story of a little boy who loves insects and explores the great outdoors looking for them. Along the way, he expels facts about insects, such as their nesting, eating, and survival habits. At the end of the book, not only does the boy suggest that the reader go outside and take a look for himself, but several ideas are listed to help the reader get a closer look at the physical traits and behaviors of insects.
Big Bug Surprise by Julia Gran would be a great fiction twin text for the book, Insect Detective. The main character in Big Bug Surprise, Prunella, is an insect enthusiast, just like the little boy in the book, Insect Detective. Likewise, Prunella knows a lot about insects, just like the little boy in Insect Detective does, and she is so passionate about insects that she can not stop talking about them. Although Big Bug Surprise is a fiction picture book, the book contains true facts about insects. Therefore, this book could easily serve as an extension of the book, Insect Detective, not only because any insect enthusiast could relate to Prunella, like they did with the little boy, but the facts about insects in both books would complement each other, expanding the reader's knowledge about insects.
April 4, 2013
4 1/2 stars
What a terrific book to awaken a child's interest in the insect world. Insect Dectective highlights a number of amazing facts about insects, starting with the vast number that exist. The story continues by introducing a few insects, how they live, and how we can observe them in the world around us. Wasps and bees are among some of the insects described, each in a way which makes them less fearsome. My favorite insect mentioned is the dragonfly. I have always been fascinated by them, but never knew they could fly backwards. The illustrations are pen and watercolor. They are subtle, yet beautiful and the words would not be the same without such wonderful artwork. The final pages give suggestions on how to be an "insect detective" - like looking at a wooden table for signs that a wasp has stopped by. There is also a very simple index off to the side. I always wish that a non-fiction books would include a bibliography to other books to nurture curiosity. It's a wish that is not going to be fulfilled in this book.
What a terrific book to awaken a child's interest in the insect world. Insect Dectective highlights a number of amazing facts about insects, starting with the vast number that exist. The story continues by introducing a few insects, how they live, and how we can observe them in the world around us. Wasps and bees are among some of the insects described, each in a way which makes them less fearsome. My favorite insect mentioned is the dragonfly. I have always been fascinated by them, but never knew they could fly backwards. The illustrations are pen and watercolor. They are subtle, yet beautiful and the words would not be the same without such wonderful artwork. The final pages give suggestions on how to be an "insect detective" - like looking at a wooden table for signs that a wasp has stopped by. There is also a very simple index off to the side. I always wish that a non-fiction books would include a bibliography to other books to nurture curiosity. It's a wish that is not going to be fulfilled in this book.
May 14, 2013
Enjoyable book with differentiated text. There is a read-aloud narrative in larger print, and a factual text vignette relevant to what the narrative is saying. The illustrations are very decorative and partly realistic. It could be a good experience for a read-aloud. I don't know that anyone would seek it out for facts on insects, because the outline knowledge presented is very basic. I would say almost any insect topic book, or internet page would have these facts.
The read-aloud narrative is the strength of the writing, and the almost fairy-like illustrations. The book does little to build on knowledge that might be gained by an early inquiry, or to send readers clearly outward to do or inquire more. There is a small amount of back matter, including an index--all seem like a nod to the standards and tests.
The read-aloud narrative is the strength of the writing, and the almost fairy-like illustrations. The book does little to build on knowledge that might be gained by an early inquiry, or to send readers clearly outward to do or inquire more. There is a small amount of back matter, including an index--all seem like a nod to the standards and tests.
January 11, 2012
A lovely book! Insect Detective gives information about insects and explains to readers how to find insects close to home. It's almost multi-genre (think Snowflake Bentley but the narrative and illustrations present factual informative.
Recommended for students in grades 2 - 3, older and younger students may also enjoy and appreciate this book. My only reservation is that I grew up in Florida and this book would NOT have been a super choice for where I lived. I now live in Maryland and we have they types of animals and habitats described in the book in my very backyard.
Recommended for students in grades 2 - 3, older and younger students may also enjoy and appreciate this book. My only reservation is that I grew up in Florida and this book would NOT have been a super choice for where I lived. I now live in Maryland and we have they types of animals and habitats described in the book in my very backyard.
September 11, 2014
This book is fabulous and fascinating. It is perfect for us right now as everything is coming out to play and AppleBlossom is constantly asking what is this and that. While this is above her reading level, it is a great read aloud. She will even go back and stare while flipping the pages and telling me what is what that she sees within. While I would prefer that she not grow up to specialize in bugs and insects, this is a very interesting child's read. So many facts and quite enjoyable. This book will definitely fill many hours with education. I'm also quite a fan of the artistry and I think it fits the book perfectly.
*Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing a copy for review.*
Scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
*Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing a copy for review.*
Scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
January 30, 2015
Need a sweet and pretty book that introduces insects to your younger students or children? This is a good choice, and younger readers should be able to read it for themselves. It begins: "Right now, all around you, though sands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things. But you can't always see them right away. Sometimes you have to know where to look." The story shows some of the places and how to find both small, hiding, and camouflaged insects, how they live and what they are like. Beautiful watercolors grace the pages along with the story and some side facts. There is back matter that offers additional great ideas for discovery, for being an 'insect detective'!
May 5, 2010
This is a wonderful book about exploring the world of nature around you and observing the critters you see. It's a factual book on insects, but feels like a srory, too. The illustrations are soft watercolors, and the scene are fun to look at and point out what you see. There are interesting tidbits about various insects and we learned a little about each (who knew earwigs were good moms?) There's also a bunch of very doable projects for kids in the back that will help them investigate insects too.
June 21, 2012
Audience: K - 2nd Grade. Teachers introducing science.
Appeal: Great for bringing out the appel of bugs, especially for boys (oh but girls like them too!) Very detailed pictures of different types of insects and their characteristics drawn in large, warm colors. Good list of projects in the back of the book. Helps to show the difference between insects and other bugs. Presented in a way to help kids identify what is crawling or flying around their own yards.
Awards: School Library Journal 2010 Nonfiction Best Book
Appeal: Great for bringing out the appel of bugs, especially for boys (oh but girls like them too!) Very detailed pictures of different types of insects and their characteristics drawn in large, warm colors. Good list of projects in the back of the book. Helps to show the difference between insects and other bugs. Presented in a way to help kids identify what is crawling or flying around their own yards.
Awards: School Library Journal 2010 Nonfiction Best Book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews