b is for bug- books

Our theme this week has been bugs, and we've been reading several fun bug-related books. Here are some we've enjoyed so far:

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner

This is the book that sparked the idea for this unit. We'd been reading Bob Barner as part of our Reading Our Library project and Jonathan really liked this book. In this book we're introduced to eight different bugs and told a short fact about each one. The rhyming verse and colorful collage illustrations make this book quite fun. At the end, the reader is shown bugs drawn to scale as well as a chart comparing each bug. It's a super toddler-friendly introduction to bugs that older children should enjoy equally well.

The Icky Bug Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta

This was another fun read. Pallotta's book introduces different insects and other creatures from A-Z. As we progress from ant to zebra butterfly, we learn different characteristics and actions these creatures make. An interesting fact I learned is that although we call all of these creatures "bugs" apparently they are all "insects". I thought the terms were synonymous, but I was wrong. Anyhow, this book is full of interesting facts and held Jonathan's attention well. He had fun trying to identify the insects before I told him what they were.

The Best Bug Parade by Stuart J. Murphy

This is part of a series of books called MathStart. The books are designed to introduce math to preschoolers in a fun and engaging way. This particular book is about comparing sizes. It covers the concepts of "big/bigger/biggest" as well as "small", "long", and "short". There's a review page after each concept is introduced and the end of the book provides helpful extension activities. As far as plot, there isn't much of one besides a ladybug comparing herself to different bugs. In the end, all the bugs join the bug parade. It's worth checking out, if you're looking for a good math concept book. Jonathan engaged with the review pages and told me what he thought each bug was.

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

This, along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, was Jonathan's favorite book this week. It's about a spider who is busy building a web on a farm fence post. The various farm animals come up to her and ask her to join them in an activity, but the spider doesn't answer. She is very busy spinning her web. In the end the spider's diligence pays off and she is rewarded with some food. The book reinforces the different farm animal noises, which Jonathan loved since it tied in with our farm theme last week. But it is also a book to feel as well as read-- on each page the spider's web is raised so you can feel the web and watch as it grows. Jonathan really enjoyed this book quite a bit and asked for it several times during the week. You can never go wrong with an Eric Carle book. (We also have a couple other Carle  bug books that we haven't read yet, I'm sure they will be equally good!)

I'm linking up to Read-Aloud Thursday over at Hope is the Word. Head on over there to find more great read-aloud treasures!