ALA Booklist

Striking full-color photography, an attractive layout, and unusually thorough attention to the details of taxonomy are the highlights of this insect project book, published in association with the Children's School of Science in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Following a brief introduction, Doris describes several major orders of insects, giving basic information about the well-known members of each. Several sections offer suggestions for field trips (exploring a pond, observing a beehive, collecting specimens); others discuss topics of general interest (metamorphosis, pollination, pesticides). Children are featured prominently in the illustrations. The appended glossary and note to teachers on how to order specimens and supplies will be helpful, too. An exemplary addition to classroom insect units, this will have browser appeal as well. (Reviewed Oct. 1, 1993)

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1993)

Published in cooperation with the Children's School of Science in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, the colorful volume provides intriguing, but scattered, information on insects--including suggestions for experiments. The color photographs are clear, but the presentation is unfocused, and the layout is busy. Glos.

Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

First in the Real Kids/Real Science'' series, emphasizing firsthand exploration. The children here are shown collecting, studying, and experimenting with insects at The Children's School of Science at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Well-illustrated topical spreads discuss taxonomy, metamorphosis, and insect orders, and show children preserving and observing common species. But while the aim is to help young scientists explore on their own, Doris offers little safety information:Polistes wasps are less easily provoked to sting than yellow jackets or hornets, so observing them at work is relatively safe,'' she advises, without warning of the dangers in observing other wasps. And: ``Swarming bees are usually gentle and easy for a beekeeper to handle''—maybe, but young observers would be wise to keep their distance. Also, children wading in ponds or drainage ditches should have adult supervision and proper equipment. It's a shame that this striking, useful book doesn't give more attention to safe science. Glossary. (Nonfiction. 10-12)"