All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I believe reading over the summer is so important, and keeping kids interested in reading by finding books that are relevant and full of topics that they are interested in is very important. Kids should be reading at least 20 minutes every day, and I hope that these books offer you ideas to keep your kids reading and learning all summer.
Look for these posts every Friday. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
INSECTARIUM
Welcome to the Museum Series
Curated by: Dave Goulson and Emily Carter
Published: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Non-Fiction
This oversized book is an encyclopedia full of amazing illustrations and bios of all kinds of insects. The pages are made of heavy paper and feel very educational and museum-like. Half of all the species on Earth are considered to be insects. More than a million insect species have already been named, with the possibility of there being another four million that we don’t even know about yet. Reading through this book makes me feel like I am in a scientific lab learning all about the various insects from history to the present day.
The insects are divided into categories where kids will learn about all of the insects as well as their habitats. From ponds, forests, and gardens, kids will learn where to find insects. The pages are full of the most beautiful of butterflies and the ugliest of lice; kids will learn about numerous insects and their importance to our habitats and the cycle of life.
Even young children can enjoy the illustrations of all the insects, but older kids will learn from the brief descriptions about the various insects. The illustrations are incredibly detailed, and all will find the various insects very fascinating to look at. From learning how males and females may look different to their different roles to their scientific names, your child will be an insect expert after reading this book.
The end of the book includes a page about saving the insects. Monarch butterflies have declined by 80% in the last 30 years. Many insect species have already gone extinct. Their habitats have been destroyed by weather events, fires, and commercialization. But, there are tips for how to create a space for insects in your garden, with a reminder not to use chemicals.
I can’t say enough about how amazing this book is. This is the tenth book in the Welcome to the Museum series, and I can only imagine how wonderful the other books in the series would be. From animals to dinosaurs to plants and space, there is a book for every curious child.
Dave Goulson is a professor of biology at the University of Sussex in England, specializing in bee ecology. He has published more than three hundred scientific articles and several books on the ecology and conservation of bumblebees and other insects. Dave Goulson lives in England.
Emily Carter is an award-winning British designer who specializes in hand-illustrated silk accessories, stationery, and furnishings. Her collections incorporate themes from natural history, flora, fauna, and scientific illustration to create surreal and unique illustrations and prints. Emily Carter lives in England.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of INSECTARIUM
Your child will love collecting and watching bugs up close with THIS KIT.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, Dave Goulson, Emily Carter, Insects, Summer Read-to-Learn, non-fiction