Backyard Bugs by Jill McDonald

Hello everyone!

Today the bug mom is here with a book review. We are not seeing a lot of bugs under the snow we have right now so I ordered a bunch of bug books from the library to read and review.

Today we have Backyard Bugs by Jill McDonald. This is a 24 page board book that is designed for babies and toddlers. The bugs that they cover are:
Bee
Dragonflies
Spider
Grasshopper
Cricket,
Ladybug
Ants
Garden Worms (aren’t they called earthworms?!)
Monarch Caterpillar, Chrysalis, and Butterfly.

The Good
First I would like to say that I really appreciate the non-fiction for babies trend. I really love the Baby Loves... series and I wish they had some about bugs. I like most of the art in the book too. I think it is a nice style that kids might prefer to real bug pictures. I do wish that ladybug was a little less oddly textured and looked more like the other bugs.

The Meh
I really wish non-fiction texts about bugs would just be about bugs. This opens with a two-page spread of a backyard with a vegetable garden and it just strikes a nerve to see when there are so many children that don't have that and it just isn't necessary. I feel the same about a boy and a cat that show up from time to time. They don't bring anything to the text and actually detract from it because it is reinforcing stereotypes that already exist.

The Ugly
I don't expect overly complex science in a baby book, but when you have so few lines I expect them to be factually correct and presented so they are not confusing. This section shows a ladybug on a partially eaten leaf and then has this on the next page.

Okay, so does a ladybug eat leaves or bugs? When I think about the ladybug I think about the ladybug eating aphids. Apparently some ladybugs do eat plants but it doesn't sound like any eat plants and bugs. Maybe it sounds picky, but this is confusing and I don't like it.

Fanmail Friday Moths

Hi everyone! It’s fanmail Friday and today we have some cool moths.

This fuzzy moth is called the cecropia moth. It is the largest in North America. The photo was taken by a really nice guy named Peter Koeleman. He is a professional photographer and took some really great pictures. When he read about my bugs he sent another picture of a sphinx moth.

These were moths that were in Mr. Koeleman’s backyard. You can see more of his photos at his webpage here: http://www.peterkoelemanphoto.com/index.html

And don’t forget you still have a few days to suggest baby mantis names!

Throwback Thursday Archives

It's throwback thursday again and this week we have some cool insect cards. 

 

If you haven't wrapped your christmas presents yet, maybe you will consider something like these!

Snowy Beetle

I didn’t expect to see a bug today but this eastern boxelder bug was sitting in the snow. I wonder if it wanted to build a snowbug?

And don’t forget to submit a name or two for the mantis babies!

Help Name the Birthday Bugs

My birthday present(s) are here a little early due to inclement weather. This is a really teeny, tiny ghost mantis. I got two mantises and some fruit flies for them to eat and a big habitat for them.

It will probably be a few more weeks before we can try and tell if we have boys, girls, or one of each. So from now until December 29th comment with a name suggestion and I will pick two on my birthday.

Throwback Thursday: Archive Adventures

It's Throwback Thursday and the archive adventures continue. Check out these butterflies and I spy a praying mantis too!

Throwback Thursday Archives

It's Throwback Thursday and the archive adventures continue! Today we have a  tarantula.

 

Can you imagine doing a tarantula dance today?

Throwback Thursday: Archives

It's throwback Thursday and this week we are exploring some insect art mom found in the New York Library's digital archives.

Check out all of those awesome beetles!

Holiday Ladybug

After we went to the botanical garden we were walking through the park to the parking garage and we ran across this ladybug. Isn’t it neat how there are orange and red ladybugs?

Botanical Garden

This weekend we went to the Cleveland Botanical Garden to see a bunch of Christmas trees and lights. We saw some butterflies in the canopy.

Spider Sunday

Surprise! The weather was a little warmer and we spotted this spider hanging out.

White Monarch

Did you know there is a rare variation of monarch that is white?

Read more about them here.White monarchs

Throwback Thursday: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

This tiger swallowtail butterfly was hanging around the botanical gardens in California.

Field Cricket

One day we went to the field and mommy helped me catch a cricket. I think crickets are like grasshoppers, they can jump really high!

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Happy Monday everyone! Did you know Christmas is coming soon? Yesterday I saw a big wreath and pretty pine trees in a winter wonderland. If the trees were real mom said there might be a western conifer seed bug on them. But this one we found at our house near the rosebushes.

Fanmail Friday: Wisconsin Bugs

It’s fanmail Friday again. Aren’t fridays the best days?

This looks like a lady bug and another bug from Stanley and Phyllis in Wisconsin. 

Thank you for sharing your bugs!

Bye Summer Azure Blues

We had a big storm the other day and now the weather is much colder. I found this picture from earlier this summer and thought you might enjoy it. Mom says she thinks it is a summer azure butterfly. 

A new look!

This morning mommy made me a new banner for the bug blog. I helped pick out the bugs and looked at all of the pictures. If you visit you should see this new banner, an updated background, and new fonts.

Fanmail Friday - Praying Mantis

It's fanmail Friday!

This praying mantis was sent in by John. Mom says mantids can be mostly brown or green. You find mostly green ones by green stuff and mostly brown ones by brown stuff.

Thank you for sending this cool mantis!

Throwback Thursday - Damselfly

The weather is getting colder here so we have seen fewer bugs. This is a damselfly mom took a picture of at the botanical garden.

Just Another Monarch Monday

Halloween is just around the corner. I don’t have any more scary spider pictures today.

This is the monarch costume I wore in the summer. I wanted to wear it for trick or treat but mom says it is too cold. What are you wearing for Halloween?

Spooky Saturday!

It's Spooky Saturday! Is everyone ready for Halloween? I can't wait for Trick or Treat!

This is a harvestman or daddy long legs. Mom says this is an arachnid but NOT a spider.

Fanmail Friday - Miss Tarantula

It's Fanmail Friday again! It's so close to Halloween, how can we not have a spider?

This tarantula spider is from Aunt Dani. I think she saw it at the botanical garden.

 I love that it is so hairy. Thank you Aunt Dani!

Throwback Thursday: Buckeye Butterfly

This throwback Thursday I am sharing with you a butterfly called the common buckeye.

You can find these all over the United States, but this one was in California. I love all of the eyes. 

Halloween Countdown - Miss Spider

This spider was one of the first bugs I found on my own.

Now she is sleeping with an egg sack.

Squishy slug

Oops, I almost stepped on this guy.  Mom says this is a slug but she doesn't know what kind.

Monday Mayfly

I found this mayfly on the door. Mom says these guys are related to dragonflies.

Sunday Stink Bug

Today we went to park and we didn't have to go far to find a stink bug. It was on the car next to us!

Boxelder Bug

Today we saw so many bugs! Mom even took some pictures and let me take one too.

Mom says she thinks this is a boxelder beetle. If you look closely you can see some smaller red eyes.

Fanmail Friday: Bugs in the Mail

Happy Fanmail Friday. This week I got some cool bug mail to share!

 Grandpa Joe sent me an article about bugs from New York.

Aunt Dani and "Uncle" Mike sent me a bunch of bug stickers and tattoos! 

If you see a bug take a picture and send it to me.

Ladybug Librarian

This ladybug was hanging out at the library.

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Here is another Seed Bug. He looks a little dusty.

Fanmail Friday

Aunt Dani sent me a picture of these bugs. They are perfect for Halloween!

Maybe Midge

Today we found a sandfly on the door!
Remember if you want to share a bug with me email me a photo at bugsfortoby@gmail.com

TBT: Macro Bees

Today's throwback Thursday is a closeup on bees.  These were photographed at a botanical garden in california, but I don't remember what kind of bees they are.

Sunflower Bee

I BEE-lieve it might be a whole week of bees. Every year mom takes me to this amazing sunflower field to take pictures and there are always some bees buzzing about. (This year I saw a mouse too!)

Bye Bye Bee

Mom found these two bees in the park. The big bee was really big! I guess some queens are killed by the hive at the end of summer but I don't know if that is what happened here.

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Today we found a bug outside. Mom says that she thinks he is a western conifer seed bug.

What I noticed was that he was a slow moving fellow and didn't mind a little pet. I decided to practice my reading and told him all of the different numbers and channels on the dish ad.