Insectlopedia

I do not think this book fosters the developmental process in the way that it could. It is mainly a fun whimsical look at poetry with a theme of insects. This book is not really informational so much as for entertainment.

• Author: Douglas Florian
• Illustrator: Douglas Florian
• Year Published: 1998
• ISBN: 0152013067

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Summary

This book is a collection of poems and paintings about different insects.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Medium
• Authority: Low
• Accuracy: Medium
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: Medium

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

I do not think this book fosters the developmental process in the way that it could. It is mainly a fun whimsical look at poetry with a theme of insects. This book is not really informational so much as for entertainment.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Children can ask questions about insects in regards to the actions that are discussed in the poems. For example, do black widows really wear clothes. Although it does raise questions they are not directly science questions but with more information they can lead to scientific thinking and discoveries.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book give children an insight into the mind of someone who enjoys insects and poetry. In this way it allows them to see a different point of view and way to present information. They can come to their own conclusions about the poetry and what the message is and in that way think for themselves.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The overarching theme of the book is insects. The poems do provide lots of interesting observations about insects, some of which are true. However, most of the lines are used to make a rhyme and may not necessarily be true to the insect.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

It is mostly accurate. The insects and what they eat are accurate to the insect they are portraying. In other ways it is not so accurate, for example, spiders do not wear clothes, much less blue denim.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book does not really distinguish between fact and fiction. The poems are written in a way that fact and fiction are mixed. This can be confusing in that there is no clear idea of what is true about the insects. However, since it is a poem book I think they wrote the poems under the intention of leaning towards fiction more than fact.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear about what is happening in the poem. They are also accurate to what is being described in the poem. However, since what is being described in the poem is not one hundred percent accurate scientifically, the illustrations are not accurate scientifically.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, the book is written at a level for elementary students from pre-kindergarten to second grade. The younger students can focus on rhyme and rhythm while the older students can use this as a mentor text to create their own poems.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

Since it is a book about insects there is no stereotyping that I can blatantly see. There is also no culture that is infused into the book so it is lacking in multicultural components.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There are no real genders in that the poems focus more on the insects and the insects themselves are rarely given a gender. However, the poems that do give the insects a gender, one has a female caterpillar are a bit bias in how they are portrayed/drawn.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

There is an association between science and literature because all the poems have a central theme of insects and in that way is related to science. This book demonstrates the ability to use science in language arts and poetry specifically.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

Yes, this book is a very positive book in regards to the insects portrayed, despite one poem in which a dragonfly is called a demon. It makes science fun and interesting for students and it portrayed in a lyrically fun way.