Boing! A Bouncy Book of Bugs

If it jiggles just a little

or its home is in the mud

or it wiggles down its middle…

oh indeed- it’s a bug!

Exuberant, energetic and engaging, ‘Boing! A Bouncy Book of Bugs’ not only offers a collection of twenty-four poems about insects, but plenty of fascinating facts as well.

All manner of insects are included from ants to moths, fireflies to bed bugs. Each spread is full of brightly coloured appealing illustrations which capture the mood and theme of the verse. Children are sure to admire the strength of the mighty dung beetle, be fascinated by the Elephant Tear Moth and perhaps learn to appreciate the ‘woefully under-appreciated’ wasp.

For teachers, the book offers great potential! Many of the poems here would make brilliant performance pieces for classes, individuals or pairs- ‘The Moth and the Moon’, for example, or ‘Boing!’- which (like many in the collection) is perfect for adding movements to! The variety of poetic forms used is great for introducing young children to some of the different styles which can be used and might also be used as models to inspire their own writing. ‘Me No Dragon’ shows how successfully Kennings can be used as a way of describing something. But above all, the poems are fun, sure to engage and be enjoyed!

Boing! A Bouncy Book of Bugs

James Carter, illustrated by Neal Layton

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659507