Sybil Kent Kane
One World Press, Prescott, AZ
2006; 54 pgs.
ISBN 0-9777356-0-5
$19.95, Paperback

When you open the cover of The Insect Wonderland, be prepared—turning each page is akin to peering through a portal into another world. This unique children’s book uses intricate, full-page color illustrations and poetry to reveal the amazing realm of arthropods to its readers and inspire kids to learn about nature. The author and illustrator, Sybil Kent Kane, spent several years creating this visually stunning work, which was published posthumously by her niece.

The Insect Wonderland features an engaging combination of whimsical art and poetry, and takes the reader on a journey through the alphabet. Each full-page color spread features a letter and an arthropod, with the illustrations and verse detailing aspects of the latter’s appearance, behavior, and life history. Insects are the main characters, although spiders do make an appearance. The book features several well-known insects, such as ants, bees, butterflies, and praying mantids, although less familiar arthropods are also portrayed, including horntails and oak-boring grubs.

However, this book is much more than an artistic foray—the depictions of the morphology, biology, and ecology of the arthropod subjects are remarkably relevant and accurate. Some of the topics Kane discusses include differences between insects and spiders, metamorphosis, social insects, and biological control. The Insect Wonderland gives the reader a closer look at various habitats, and the illustrations help uncover the secret life of nocturnal insects or those hidden from view within trees or under water. There are strong emphases on insect behavior, form and function, and intra- and interspecific interactions. Kane frequently mentions how insects impact humans, including mosquitoes as a vector of malaria and the importance of urban and plant pests.

While The Insect Wonderland is often charmingly anthropomorphic, at times some readers may find this attribute distracting. In addition, occasionally insects and/or their behaviors are somewhat villainized, such as flies and roaches. However, there are relatively few instances where the book departs from entomological fact or generalizes too broadly.

Overall, the richly detailed illustrations and lively verse within The Insect Wonderland blend fact and fancy in an appealing way that is sure to engage children’s imaginations and stimulate them to learn more about the world of arthropods.

Deirdre A. Prischmann
USDA-ARS
North Central Agricultural Research Lab
Brookings, SD 57006
Ph.: 605-693-5250
Deirdre.Prischmann@ars.usda.gov

 American Entomologist
 Vol. 55, No. 1, Spring 2009