Busy with Bugs Book Review

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Busy with Bugs by Toni Albert is published by Trickle Creek Books. This book is nothing short of amazing. It contains 160 extremely interesting things to do with bugs- which to you may sounds squeamish- but to a mother of 2 small boys obsessed with bugs and animals- this was amazing. Even if you have girls that aren’t into bugs- keep reading- this is a really great informative book!

This book is just plain solid science. There is nothing squeamish about it. Although this book has fantastic hands-on bug ideas it is a fabulous science reference book for kids to learn more about animals-without even touching them! Busy with Bugs is the winner of a Best Books 2010 Award in the Children’s Educational category and has been praised by entomologists, museum curators, professors, teachers, and other notable occupations.

We received this book in the mail while I was out on the run. So I handed the book to my son to browse through while I was driving, and he was SO enthusiastic about it. “Look mom- there’s a spider! WOW- There’s dragonflies! OOOHH MOM- fireflies!”…..and the list goes on. It was a hit before he even knew what the book was about! My son is the type of boy who catches everything under the sun and turns it into a pet- I knew this book would be a perfect fit!

Busy with Bugs teaches you how to build 7 different bug traps, talk to fireflies, collect a spider web, and raise a whole slew of bugs such as grasshoppers, ladybugs, butterflies, fruit flies, ants, spiders, pill bugs-and more! It gets pretty in depth and explains the anatomy of insects with detailed diagrams. It talks about the classfication of insects such as the Honey Bee. It teaches kids to be observant and ask questions. Learn about how bugs grow, their life cycles, their shapes, camoflauge, their songs, a bug glossary, and so much more! It even has a page where kids can journal about the bugs they have found!

My son just googled over all the bug facts and immediately demanded to go outside looking for bugs. (it was 40* out!) Other than this book being completly and solidly educational, my favorite feature of this book was the “Keeping-Bugs Chart”! During most of the year my 3 year old catches spiders, beetles, wasps (ouch!), ladybugs, pillbugs, lizards, dragonflies, and anything else he finds. The “Keeping-Bugs Chart” tells you what type of food, water, shelter, and other notes needed to keep the different types of insects. Now I can successfully keep a pill bug for my son to enjoy! Believe me- when you have an avid bug hunting child this is a big deal!!

Trickle Creek Books have other really great titles to read that you can browse on their website!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I did receive a free book to review. All opinions are 100% mine. 

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153 Comments

  1. monicazyoung says:

    I like The Incredible Coral Reef. Sounds great for my son that love the oceean.

  2. monicazyoung says:

    I would give the book to my son. He used to be afraid of bugs, and lately he has been interested on them.

  3. monicazyoung says:

    I follow via google

  4. monicazyoung says:

    I like you on facebook

  5. I particularly liked the seasonal Eco-Journals.

  6. I "liked" you.

  7. I am also "following" you now on google.

  8. And my incredibly fabulous grandson would love to get this book!

  9. fancygrlnancy says:

    they have activities to do on their site too
    bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

  10. fancygrlnancy says:

    my son would receive this, but I would also borrow it to share with teachers at my school.

  11. fancygrlnancy says:

    I follow

  12. fancygrlnancy says:

    sent a request to add as a facebook friend
    Nancy P.

  13. I also like that they have a Squirrel journal including how to make a squirrel house…I love squirrels.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

  14. I would look through this for fun then give it to my friend Dorothy who is a retired schoolteacher and tutors kids at home.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

  15. My daughter would also like reading The Remarkable Rainforest.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  16. My daughter wold love to read this book because she likes anything creepy and crawly!

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  17. I follow via GFC: abfantom

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  18. I thought the EcoJournals were a great idea!
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

  19. If I win this would be a gift for my four year old son.

  20. I signed up to follow you.

  21. I like The Remarkable Rainforest.

    kwellnitz at litewire dot net

  22. I follow on GFC.

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  23. I would give this to my boys.

    kwellnitz at litewire dot net

  24. I'm a follower here.

  25. Alicia C. says:

    They have two items that I would love to have for my children – "I Heard the Willow Weep" is a must-have in my opinion. Geez, even the title has me teary-eyed! The second is the set of EcoJournals. How wonderful are they?! A great way to teach children how to understand and observe nature year-round.
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

  26. Alicia C. says:

    My children will receive this book (but, I have to admit, I'm the one who will be the most excited!)
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

  27. Alicia C. says:

    I'm a GFC follower
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

  28. Alicia C. says:

    I've sent you a friend request on Facebook
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  29. LoveCubed says:

    my kids would also love the The Remarkable Rainforest book

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  30. LoveCubed says:

    i would LOVE to give this to my son and daughter if i won!

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  31. LoveCubed says:

    I follow via GFC

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  32. LoveCubed says:

    i like you on FB @becky barrett beitzel

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  33. I learned that the book is not just by one person but a whole group of people. I'd love to win this for my nephew.

    ashley d fines at gmail dot com

  34. I love that everything teaches about science, and the eco journals seem like a great way to get kids involved in nature.
    jltreasure at gmail

  35. This would be a gift for my son!
    jltreasure at gmail

  36. I loke you on fb.
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  37. I follow in GFC
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  38. What a great giveaway. I visited the site and plan to go back and check into the Cammie & Cooper rainforest teaching materials. My grandson has lately become interested in the rainforest and animals that live there. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  39. The fabulous person in my life who would receive this is my wonderful, cute, sweet, smart, and talented 7-year old grandson. And he'd probably share with his 4-year old sister who is also fabulous. Plus he's more skiddish about creepy crawlers than she is:)

  40. I'm a google follower:) Thanks again for the chance at winning!!!

  41. I like this on facebook!

  42. I love their series of 4 Eco-Journals for kids too!

    bamagv at aol dot com

  43. We are a homeschooling family so all 4 of our kids would enjoy this book ~ but I'm sure our son (age 5) would enjoy it most over the years!

    bamagv at aol dot com

  44. I am a GFC follower

    bamagv at aol dot com

  45. following this blog via google (jhb)
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

  46. I like the eco journals- especially the Spring one.

    danellejohns at gmail dot com

  47. All my kids (seven of them)would benefit from this book

    danellejohns at gmail dot com

  48. I follow you publicly via GFC-DanelleJohnson

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  49. I follow/like you on FB-DanelleJohns danellejohns at gmail dot com

  50. This book would be for my fabulous daughter who is in Kindergarten right now.

  51. Grandma Bonnie says:

    I like the book "I Heard the Willow Weep" written by
    Toni Albert
    bonniesbabyboutique at ymail dot com

  52. Grandma Bonnie says:

    New follower with GFC folling as Bonnie A.
    bonniesbabyboutique at ymail dot com

  53. Grandma Bonnie says:

    This would be for my grandson.
    bonniesbabyboutique at ymail dot com

  54. I liked the The Incredible Coral Reef book.
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  55. I follow on GFC.
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  56. This book would be for both of my kids.
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  57. susanlanai says:

    I also like The Incredible Coral Reef book.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  58. susanlanai says:

    The fab person is my little one.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  59. susanlanai says:

    I follow via google.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  60. susanlanai says:

    I Like on Facebook.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  61. The Remarkable Rainforest sounds interesting! Thank you!
    bridgestranslation at yahoo dot com

  62. stephanie g says:

    I like the I heard the Willow Weep book. Thank you for the chance!

    smoothiie0714(at)yahoo(dot)com

  63. stephanie g says:

    I would give this book to my daughter. She loves bugs!

    smoothiie0714(at)yahoo(dot)com

  64. I visited their site and like the photo journal about the Squirrel House. We live in an area with lots of squirrels and my grandson is always interested in them. Thanks for the opportunity to win:)

  65. Brooke Anna says:

    I like their half-price warehouse!
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  66. Brooke Anna says:

    I follow GFC!
    brookeannaroberts(at)Yahoo(dot)com

  67. Brooke Anna says:

    I will allow my children to use this first, then when I begin teaching, my students will!
    brookeannaroberts(aT)yahoo(dot)com

  68. Guiding Light says:

    My dh is a teacher so I can relate! 🙂 I learned that the author has written 41 books!

  69. Guiding Light says:

    This would be for both my sons (ok and my dh too LOL)

  70. Guiding Light says:

    I am now following you

  71. I learned they have directions for building a squirrel house on their website- this is something I have to try!
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

  72. My nephew Isaac – he loves bugs
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

  73. coriwestphal says:

    I would also like to check out the Squirrel House. It sounds fun! It has pictures and activities!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  74. coriwestphal says:

    this would go for my son! He's 6 and LOVES bugs!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  75. coriwestphal says:

    I'm a Google Friend (follower): Cori Westphal

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  76. coriwestphal says:

    I like you on FB: Cori Eckstrom Westphal

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  77. leanne_mac says:

    I like that they have activities on their site.

    leannemacg at gmail.com

  78. leanne_mac says:

    This would be for my 3 kids but mostly for my 3 1/2 year old twin boys.

    leannemacg at gmail.com

  79. leanne_mac says:

    I follow you on gfc.

    leannemacg at gmail.com

  80. leanne_mac says:

    I like you on facebook

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  81. Cakeblast says:

    I learned that when Albert founded Trickle Creek Books in 1994, she had already written more than thirty books for top educational publishers, and her books were used in schools across the country.

  82. Cakeblast says:

    I would give this to my 5yo son. He is an avid reader who likes bugs!

  83. Cakeblast says:

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  84. I learned that the author Toni Albert does presentations for schools.
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

  85. I'd give this book to my nephew who loves anything to do with animals and outdoors.
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

  86. gfc follower
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  87. I added you as a friend on FB
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  88. Christina F. says:

    I also like "The Remarkable Rain Forest" book (in the half-price area). annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

  89. Christina F. says:

    My nephew would love this. annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

  90. Christina F. says:

    I follow u via GFC. annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

  91. Christina F. says:

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  92. The Remarkable Rainforest sounds like an AWESOME book

    spork_of_truth(at)hotmail(dot)com

  93. I would like the I Heard the Willow Weep book.

  94. I follow on GFC

  95. My oldest son would be the lucky one to receive this book.

  96. malin1228 says:

    I like the Squirrel House section with all the squirrel info!
    tallen0104 at yahoo.com

  97. malin1228 says:

    I follow on GFC
    tallen0104 at yahoo.com

  98. I visited the website and also like the "Remarkable Rainforest" book — these books look like excellent quality, my children love reading and learning and these look like books they'd enjoy! creedamy[at]yahoo[dot]com

  99. I follow your blog on GFC! 🙂 creedamy[at]yahoo[dot]com

  100. This book would be a gift for my nature-loving children! creedamy[at]yahoo[dot]com

  101. I love their section entitled "Squirrel House"!

    susan (at) cravingthesavings (dot) com

  102. My six year old daughter is fascinated with bugs, so this would go to her if I win!

    susan (at) cravingthesavings (dot) com

  103. I'm a GFC follower

    susan (at) cravingthesavings (dot) com

  104. Sent you a friend request on FB.

    susan (at) cravingthesavings (dot) com

  105. I also like The Remarkable Rainforest. Contact info on my blog, thanks!

  106. This would be for my child.

  107. I follow via GFC

  108. "I Heard the Willow Weep" is another book on their site, looks like one we would enjoy!

    kpintn / at/ hotmail/dot/com

  109. This would be for me to give and read with my grandson!

    kpintn / at/ hotmail/dot/com

  110. Follow via GFC!

    kpintn / at/ hotmail/dot/com

  111. I like that Cammie and Cooper comes with a teachers guide for teaching about the rainforest.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  112. I follow as Renee G on GFC.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  113. Storm, The Psychotic Housewife says:

    I also like Saving the Rain Forest With Cammie and Cooper.

    stormraven at gmail dot com

  114. Storm, The Psychotic Housewife says:

    I like Surviving A Teacher's Salary over on Facebook.

    stormraven at gmail dot com

  115. Storm, The Psychotic Housewife says:

    This would be for my daughter.

    stormraven at gmail dot com

  116. I really like the Squirrel house photo book. It sounds like a great idea.
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

  117. My 4 year old son would get this if I won. He would love it!
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

  118. I follow with gfc (psychdog).
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

  119. I'd like to give this to my son.

  120. The Remarkable Rainforest sounds like another very informative read. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

    dianad8008 at gmail dot com

  121. This would be for my 8 year old grandson. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

    dianad8008 at gmail dot com

  122. I am a GFC follower. Thanks for the chance

    dianad8008 at gmail dot com

  123. Leonard Family says:

    Two people—Bob and Toni Albert. They have a perfect working relationship!

    dropcqueen at yahoo dot com

  124. I learned that it won National Best Books 2010 Award Children's Educational category. I know my boys would love this on our many hiking/road trips. Thank you

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

  125. I would give it to my wonderful, angelic, children (the boys are 8 and 10, so do we believe the adjectives?). Thankyou

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

  126. susan1215 says:

    Saving the Rain Forest
    With Cammie and Cooper

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

  127. susan1215 says:

    follow via GFC

  128. susan1215 says:

    Like you on FB Susan S

  129. kngmckellar says:

    I like: Saving the Rain Forest
    With Cammie and Cooper

    kngmckellar at hotmail dot com

  130. kngmckellar says:

    My niece would receive this if I won!

  131. kngmckellar says:

    follow gfc as kngmckellar

  132. I like that they have a half price warehouse! Bargains!
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  133. I have a feeling my tomboy kinder would really love this…as long as no love bugs are encountered!
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  134. I follow via gfc as /\Heather/\
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  135. I like the Incredible Coral Reef

  136. I would give this to my nephew

  137. I follow on GFC

  138. janetfaye says:

    I like The Remarkable Rainforest.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  139. janetfaye says:

    I would give this to my grandson.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  140. janetfaye says:

    I follow you with GFC – janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  141. janetfaye says:

    I like you on FB – Janet Fri

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  142. Linda Kish says:

    I Heard the Willow Weep sounds good.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  143. Linda Kish says:

    I would give this to my son who has always loved bugs.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  144. susansmoaks says:

    i learned that Busy with Bugs was chosen as the winner of a Best Books 2010 Award in the Children's Educational category.
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

  145. I like The Remarkable Rainforest
    dvice12[at]gmail[dotcom]

  146. I am amazed by the fact that Trickle Creek, the company that puts this book out, only has two people working there. They are fascinating.

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)co

  147. I would give this to my nephew who is 5 years old.

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

  148. GFC follower of your blog.

    lewalk

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

  149. Sent you a friend request on Facebook.

    lewalk76
    Leah W.

    lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

  150. Squirrel House sounds like a lot of fun too, my kids love squirrels.

  151. I'm a GFC follower.

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