Module 14 - Insectlopedia

 

Florian, D. (1998). Insectlopedia: Poems and paintings.  San Diego:  Harcourt Brace.

Summary:

This book of 21 poems about various insects also includes great illustrations.  The poems are often humorous, for example the poem titled “The Mosiquotoes” on page 33 states, “Mosquitoes are thin. Mosquitoes are rude.  They feast on your skin for take-out food.”  They also contain factual information as well.  For example, the poem titled “The Giant Water Bug” on page 37 describes the way the mother water bug takes care of the eggs, stating “The mother glues them to the day, and on his back they stay.”  There are a few poems about spiders and ticks, which are not considered insects.

My Impression:

I enjoy all of Florian’s poetry books and find that elementary students like them as well.  This book was no exception.  Florian uses humor, facts, and wonderful illustrations to entertain and educate readers about insects.  I was disappointed that he included a few poems about arachnids in a book titled, Insectlopedia. The difference between insects and spiders is an important concept taught in elementary grades.  However, this does provide a great opportunity for discussion about this.

Library Usage:

As a read aloud, the librarian could read Insectlopedia, and then parts of a nonfiction book on insects, such as What’s the Difference?  Insects.   The two genres could then be compared, discussing the differences not only in information, but also illustrations.  This is a TEK in many elementary grades, and an excellent way for the librarian to support the curriculum.

Reviews:

Grades 2-6. As he did in Beast Feast (1994), On the Wing (1996), and In the Swim (1997, all Harcourt), Florian offers 21 short, inventive poems and paintings that create playful images of animals.  Here, the subjects are arthropods such as the mayfly, praying mantis, hornet, black widow spider, and weevils.  The verse form is as varied as the creatures presented.  Shaped or pattern poems about the inchworm, whirligig beetles, and mound-building termites work particularly well.  The words are arranged in pleasing patterns and the rhythms fit the characteristics of the subjects.  The design adds to the overall appeal.  Each selection is given its own page, allowing for the use of large type and plenty of glossy white space, and paired with a full-page watercolor with a neat border of white.  These portraits build on the imaginatively integrated realistic and anthropomorphic images created in the text.  There are other books of poetry about insects and lots of collections of humorous verses about animals but none match Insectlopledia.

Angus, C. (1998). Preschool to grade 4: Nonfiction. School Library Journal, 44(4), 115