This is a good basic book on insects which I was introduced to as a young man which perked my interest in the world of insects. The illustrations are well done and the book focuses on mostly common insects that you will find in North America. I have other more detailed books but I always return to this book to refresh my basic knowledge of insects. ( )

A guide to North American insects which gives popular name, describes life and reproduction cycles and feeding habits, and includes a range guide.

The Golden Guides, I’ve found, are a joy to get a quick overview of one subject or another. The fact that they’re pocket-sized also makes them great.

In this volume, Zim et al. present the great wide world of insects, being careful to avoid most non-insect arthropods (though giving them a shout-out when necessary). I learned quite a bit from the few pages this book contained, especially that most of the scary-looking decoration that bugs have isn’t for ruining our lives if we try to pick them up. It’s mostly for show. Good to know next time I want to pick up a rhinoceros beetle!

I think that this book would make an excellent gift to a child interested in the world of insects, and that it would make a fantastic springboard into a long-term interest, if not career, in entomology (the bug one, not the word one). It’s also fine for adults as well. ( )

I acquired this book when I was a mere lad, and I'm still fascinated by it. It has some great information about bugs. ( )

595.7