Top 16 Kids Books About Bugs Updated 04 /2024

Even though spring hasn't arrived yet, there's never a bad time to read about bugs. Here are a few of our personal favorites.

Bugs Bugs Bugs! by Bob Barner

good for kids who are interested in bugs but not yet ready for a complete nonfiction science book. When reading the book, you learned intriguing things about the bugs. That page with all the life-size images of bugs is the best part of the book, though. The book is just the appropriate length for small preschoolers and toddlers, with colorful graphics throughout.

An Ant’s Day Off by Bonny Becker

The story of an ant who has lived his entire life never seeing the sky or anything beyond the tunnels he works in is an unusual one to say the least. Before he takes the day off one day. My son was flip flipping on my bed because the text was too long. He, on the other hand, insisted that I not put the book away. However, it was a solid plot. One of my favorite parts was when he tried going back to his tunnel and the guard he expected to give him hell gave him hell. Spent the day with his family and was supportive of their decision.

Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective by David Bierdrzycki

is a ton of fun. When I started it, I was worried that my son wouldn't understand it, but he sat there and listened intently. The mystery begins with the disappearance of the Queen bee and Ace's efforts to solve it will keep you wondering as to who is responsible. Many of the jokes were lost on me as a 2-year-old. While I laughed at the jokes he missed, he was charmed by the Dick Tracy-esque illustrations. Children who aren't quite ready for a full-length chapter book but have outgrown their picture books may like this book.

Percival the Plain Little Caterpillar by Helen Brawley

My son loves this book because of all the sparkly and shimmering images that fill it! There is a definite lack of substance to the narrative. Percival's transformation into a lovely butterfly seemed to be the sole solution to his plight. To counter the unwelcome message that you must be attractive to be worthy, I would often ask my pupils what they thought was cool about Percival while reading this to them.

Bob and Otto by Robert O. Bruel

Two pals must part ways since one is a caterpillar and the other an earthworm, both of whom must go their separate ways in order to complete their respective tasks. As a child, I was fascinated by this book since it explained how the earthworm's digging is essential for tree growth so that the caterpillar can eat the leaves and transform into an adult butterfly. My favorite aspect of the lesson is that we all have a role to play!

The Crunching Munching Caterpillar by Sheridan Cain

This is a tale of a caterpillar that is unhappy with his current situation. Some parents may find some of the language offensive. Caterpillars are often told that they are too obese to fly, and this caterpillar is no exception. Parents like myself who are attempting to establish good body views and appropriate language in our children have some hurdles as a result of this. There are two ways I've approached this book thus far. The caterpillar is gaining weight, so let's start with that. However, that's to his advantage. In order to survive in his chrysalis, he will require all of that fat to keep him comfortable as he sleeps. Because many individuals find the word "fat" to be unappealing, I've simply replaced it with "large."

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

More than a nice book about the crabby beetle. The Ladybug is on the prowl for a brawl. She fights bigger and bigger animals every hour until she gets accidentally slapped by a whale! I used this book to teach my students how to tell time because each page had an image of an analog clock. As I read, I'd ask one child at a time to come in and set our school clock using a toy clock. In addition, don't be put off by the ladybug's attempts to start a battle. No animal is interested in what she has to offer. You may use that as an excellent teaching moment about not being drawn into arguments with folks who are just looking for a battle.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

I'm sure most preschool teachers can repeat that off the top of their heads. It's a wonderful novel. It not only explains the caterpillar/butterfly life cycle. However, it can also be used to teach students about the weekday and the importance of eating healthily! It was a favorite of mine as a child, and it appears that he felt the same way, sleeping with his "Pillar" in his arms. It's already a favorite of mine and my son's!

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

before going to sleep, it is one of my son's favorite books Not so much for the plot as for the fact that the board book edition has a flashing light at the conclusion!! When a firefly is hunting for another firefly, it confuses all the other lights it sees with that of its own kind. Because this book allows toddlers the opportunity to be bossy and tell the firefly "No, that's a flashlight," it's popular with young children. Smaller children will find the content interesting, while older children will find it educational. In a pitch-black environment, the tiny lights are positively stunning. It's much better if you're in an area where there are no fireflies!

The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle

one additional top pick In this story, the protagonist is a tiny cricket who can't chirp like the other bugs in order to communicate with them. My shoulders would wiggle as if I were attempting to brush my wings together like the insect as I read it to children (and it was a popular in the classroom as well). I loved watching the kids so engrossed in the book, which was repeated but never monotonous. I thought it was adorable to see 12 3-year-olds wiggle, but one 3-year-old is just as adorable! A "surprise" towards the end will delight both toddlers and preschoolers.

Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin

It's a brilliant novel with a few chuckle-worthy moments. It's perfect for older preschoolers. Spiders aren't all bad, and they have their own set of anxieties. Great advice for youngsters who don't want to appear weak or helpless because they don't want to appear incompetent in the face of adversity.

Beetle Bop by Denise Fleming

I love the illustrations and the text since it's so well-written and full of vivid details. The visuals on the color-saturated pages are seen through the eyes of an insect. Footprints, birds, and lizards all appear to the reader to be enormous. Finally, they get a taste of life as a teenybopper! It reminded me of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids in many ways. This book was a hit with both my son and myself!

From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heligiman 

in the "Let's Read and Find Out Science" series, one of my favorite nonfiction books for children. At garage sales and thrift shops, I'm always on the lookout for these titles. Students in a classroom watch a caterpillar transform into a butterfly in this episode. Preschoolers may learn about life cycles by participating in this springtime activity. The Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden, which I highly suggest and plan to create with my son this year, is also a fantastic fit for this book! Reading nonfiction to your preschoolers is essential because it shows children that writing and reading are not just for stories, but can also be used to gather facts.

Miss Spider’s Abc Book by David Kirk

contains the most gorgeous and colorful images. The writing is easy to read and understand. However, the graphics are what make the book worthwhile. They protect your youngster from a wide range of insects and are bright enough to catch their attention.

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