JEREMY AND THE BEETLE TAKEDOWN

Brown introduces youngsters to the concept of invasive insect species in this picture book.

Young Jeremy is in science class and excited to learn that the new study topic is entomology—the study of insects. Ms. Birch explains to the class that they’ll learn about bugs in the classroom for a bit and then go outside to observe them in the wild. As the kids catch insects and overturn stones to find grubs, they come across a swarm in a small forest area. Several kids, including Jeremy, use their entomological knowledge to figure out what the bugs are. Jeremy overhears the beetles saying things such as “we are emerald, not green,” and figures out that they’re Emerald Ash Borer Beetles. The kids understand they must do something about this invasive species, as they’re killing trees. After Ms. Birch calls a tree specialist, the beetles begin speaking again; Jeremy decides to explain to the bugs the necessity of sharing. Gouveia’s full-color cartoon illustrations are adorable, and the kids in Jeremy’s class are illustrated with care to make them each distinct characters. They’re portrayed with a range of skin tones; most are children of color, including Jeremy. In some places, the small text is a bit hard to read, but overall, Brown delivers an accessible STEM-oriented story.

A fun fantasy tale that offers informative entomological facts.