In real life, this katydid would be about the size of a raisin, but through Paul Davidson's powerful camera lens, you get to see it super-sized. What else will you see in Bugs Up Close? A fly magnified to the size of a man's shoe, the lenses in a dragonfly's eyes, the hair on a bee's legs and much more. Plus bug-lover Diane Swanson will tell you about the buggy bits, such as antennae, wings and weapons, that help make insects the most numerous and widespread animals on Earth. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 3 5 In a series of two-page chapters, columns of lucid text set against brightly colored backgrounds describe basic insect anatomy, major body parts and how they function, special adaptations of close to three dozen kinds of insects, egg-laying, metamorphosis, defense mechanisms, etc. One to three finely detailed close-ups of the invertebrates discussed dominate each section most are arranged in large ovals or circles. Most of the photos are so highly magnified that individual hairs, spines, and antennae segments are clearly visible. A sidebar in each section also describes a distinctive characteristic of the insect featured in the largest close-up. Among the small creatures depicted are a wasp, blow fly, grasshopper, etc. Similar information on anatomy and body parts is available in titles in the "Minibeasts Up Close" series (Raintree); they also have good close-ups, though on a smaller scale. Swanson's book, however, has a broader scope and more detailed text, and offers some fresh insights into insect life. For instance, instead of just identifying spiracles, the air holes through which insects breathe, Bugs explains that they vary in number, size, and shape according to species, and that most contain hairs to filter out dust. This attractive, informative overview will appeal to both browsers and budding entomologists. Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Insects	4
Bodies	6
Exoskeletons	8
Spiracles	10
Legs	12
Wings	14
Mouthparts	16
Eyes	18
Antennae	20
Hair	22
Signals	24
Eggs	26
Metamorphosis	28
Colors	30
Shapes	32
Weapons	34
Size	36
Success	38
Glossary and Index	40

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.