It’s Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday, and I haven’t participated in quite a while. But I recently got a copy of Heather Montgomery’s How Rude! Real Bugs Who Won’t Mind Their Manners (ill by Howard McWilliams, Scholastic, 2015)
These young bugs litter, fart, slurp, and do all sorts of disgusting things with poo. Each spread features the bug’s common name, scientific name, and a lively description of the bad behavior. The tortoise beetle larva, pictured on the cover, for instance, “wears poop…He refuses to let his poop go. Instead, he stockpiles it on his back.” Eeeeuw. Then a Real Deal box shares the scientific reasons why the bug engages in the behavior, with highlighted glossary terms and clear, specific explanations of what scientists do and do not know. Graphic, gross-out illos are accompanied by up-close photographs.
Kids will get some laughs, some disgusting facts to share at recess, and plenty of real scientific information here. A glossary, map, author’s note, and artist’s note make up the backmatter. An awesomely icky book for your reluctant readers or kids fascinated by insects and the nasty side of life.
And, of course, my mind goes to poetry. So you could partner this book with any or all of the following buggy poetry books: Face Bug (J. Patrick Lewis), Nasty Bugs (ed. Lee Bennett Hopkins), and Hey There, Stink Bug! (Leslie Bulion).
For a roundup of more great nonfiction books for kids, visit Alyson Beecher’s KidLit Frenzy!
Whatever you reset did the trick. Thanks, Laura, & for this book. I’m sure it will be popular among all those kids who love the “icky” things.
Thanks for trying again, Linda! I appreciate it. Now we’ll see if this upsets some other applecart (allowing in spam or whatever). Fingers crossed. Yes, this book is lots of fun!
Yay, I can leave messages again. Hooray! I bought the close up riddle book. I am excited about the great deal and even better product!
I sent Heather Montgomery a copy of your post. She’s a writer friend! Lucky me!
Aw, thanks, Linda! I hope you enjoy the riddle-ku. Heather’s such a passionate nonfiction writer. I’m a virtual friend of hers, though we met in person at a nonfiction writers’ conference a couple of years ago:>)
Oh man – anything with poop is going to get the kids excited, ha! The grosser the better when it comes to nonfiction 😉 I like being able to offer these kinds of books, which blend real science with a bit of a sense of humor, to kids who complain that nonfiction is “booooooring”.
Yep–isn’t it great that there’s something for everyone?
“Gross” books tend to be super popular. But if it gets them excited about reading and the subject matter, bring it!
Yes! See my unnecessarily defensive reply to Michele :>)
These books certainly sell to some of my reluctant readers! I wonder if it will be in the fall Book Fairs? I’ll keep my eye open for it!
I did a presentation on nf book love and included your Water and Rock Is and they are in my post today too! Love sharing those books 🙂
Yep! You know, I like a lot of mystery series books and horror movies–not super high-art stuff. I bet this will be in the Book Fairs. Seems like a natural.
I’m always happy when someone’s reading. Period. I want there to be books available for every kid, and not even just with the hope he’ll “outgrow” them. I love that there are plenty of books now for kids who want the gross stuff. It’s not necessarily my personal taste, though I find a little of it now and then pretty dang fun! But I love when it’s accurate and well-done and ready to pull more kids into reading. Sorry–I know YOU weren’t saying anything at all against gross books:>) I guess I feel defensive sometimes. (Ahem, I have a gross poems story making the rounds that I hope will someday sell, and I know many won’t consider it “real” poetry.)
Oohhh…thank you! Off to check out your post!
Yes, Michelle, HOW RUDE! is in Scholastic’s fall book fair. And don’t you just love Laura’s use of language in WATER CAN BE? It opens up new worlds in the mind!
We have to get this book and add it to our Pinterest board of books that “engaged the unengaged.” – https://www.pinterest.com/tammyandclare/nonfiction-picture-books-that-engage-readers/ Thank for sharing.
Hysterical–I’m not even a huge gross reader, but just the cover of FARTS: A SPOTTER’S GUIDE made me snort!
Oh I need to find this one. And thanks for sharing good book matches too. Of course, thank you for connecting and linking up. 🙂
Sure thing–enjoy the book! Thanks for hosting the roundup:>)
Thank you Laura for sharing about HOW RUDE! even though “gross” isn’t your thing! As you said – it is so good that there are books out there for every reader!
Yes! And, as I mentioned to Michele or someone, I have a gross poems collection looking for a publisher. So I do like gross…just not all gross, all the time, that’s all. Happy to share, Heather–congratulations again!